Custom Book Design & Typesetting
I’ve been designing books for 15+ years, helping authors turn their manuscripts into literal page-turners. My job is to make a story flow effortlessly on the page by quietly obsessing over margins, spacing, and all the little typographic details no one will ever notice (and that’s kind of the whole point).
Hey, I’m Kelsey!
In 2011, I started Paper & Oats, a design studio that grew from a few printable planners and some freelance clients into a full-fledged design and education brand. For over a decade, I taught thousands of creatives how to use Adobe InDesign, the software at the heart of book design. In 2025, I sold the education arm of my business and circled back to my first love: book design.
In my near-20-year design career, I've designed dozens of books across genres — memoir, fiction, self-help, journals, workbooks, children’s books, essays, and more — working with both self-published authors and publishing houses. That experience has given me a deep understanding of what it takes to bring a story to life on the page.
Good design often goes unnoticed — and that’s kinda the point. There are so many unseen parts of book design that make for a great reader experience. When those elements are missing, it’s obvious and distracting. When they’re present, you don’t even notice because you're so engrossed in the story — and that’s what I’m going for as a book designer.
When I’m not obsessing over your margins, you’ll find me writing on Substack (second book, here I come!), slinging mud in my basement pottery studio, or cozied up on the couch with my daughter watching Gilmore Girls. (Oy, with the poodles already.)
Currently reading: The Names by Florence Knapp and The Artist’s Way by Julie Cameron
Book Design Services
Cover Design
Custom, eye-catching book cover including front, back, and spine design.
Interior Layout
Custom interior page layout with professional typesetting, up to snuff with current publishing standards.
Ebook Conversion
Let’s take your print layout and convert it to a responsive ebook version that flows perfectly across all devices.
Total project time (first concepts to final files) takes about 3-6 weeks, depending on client's response time and the scope of the project.
Timeline
Currently accepting projects for November 2025 and beyond.
Availability
“This was the first book that I self-published, and I was worried it wouldn’t look or feel professional. Working with Kelsey took away all of those fears. She confidently and patiently guided me through the formatting process, which ultimately resulted in a book I’m incredibly proud of.”
TIM ARNOLD
non-fiction author, Lead with AND
“Hiring Kelsey was one of the best professional decisions I've ever made. She was a star on this project: hard-working, efficient, flexible, creative, kind, highly-skilled, and really knowledgeable. I feel so lucky she was recommended to me.”
GLYNCORA MURPHY
children’s book author, Happy Beeing Me
Book Design Process
1— File Prep
Prior to our scheduled design time, you’ll send your fully-edited, finalized manuscript, printer details, page size, and any needed design notes or image files for your book.
2 — Front Cover
We’ll start with your front cover, and I’ll work up 3 design concepts for you. We’ll work through revisions on your favorite one and finish with a working front cover.
3 — Interior Layout
Next, I’ll send 2 concepts for your interior layout using some real content from your book. You’ll pick your favorite, then I’ll power through your entire layout. You’ll get time to review the full interior proof and make minor edits.
4 — Ebook Conversion
After your interior is finalized, I’ll start converting the layout into ebook format making it responsive on any sized device. You’ll have time to review the ebook layout and make edits as well.
5 — Finalize
Lastly, we’ll circle back to the cover, and I’ll design your spine and back cover. Once all your proofs are approved, I’ll prep your final files, and you’ll be ready to upload them to your printer of choice. Next stop: that book in your hands!
I layout books in an intentional, methodical way, so you end up with a cohesive, professionally-designed book that you’d be proud to see on a shelf. As a self-published author myself, I know how vital this design phase is.
Flat-rate pricing.
No hidden fees.
Native design files included.
Let’s Work Together!
Fill out this form with details about your book project, and I’ll be in touch within 48 hours.
Have a lingering question?
Fold up your emails, and slip them into the box marked kelsey@paperandoats.com.