A small selection of the feedback we have received unsolicited from our authors.
"I am writing to express my delight on receiving copies of my book of verse. The presentation is exactly what I had in mind, but best of all, it has been such a pleasure to work with your staff. It has made 2011 a momentous year for me and my daughter...... The writing started in 2004, when I was 85. I had never written any verse before that, but it just happened. Obviously my future is limited, but I am still writing and amusing myself with words. .....Your coverage of possible markets is breathtakingly impressive. Let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking on an unknown like myself." Richard Garrard - A Serving of Verse "Got my hands on the paperback version for the first time at a World Book Night event last night. I'm over the moon with it. I think, if anything, it's even better than the hardback jacket - the shadowy frog on the rear cover really does the dystopian thing well. I had not expected to feel like this at all, so well done and many thanks!" Rob Badcock - Big Frog "To Carol, Ali, Joanna and the proof reader, to Janet, Kieran, Laura and Jessica, The books have now arrived - and I wanted to write to thank you all for all the work and care you have taken with my book. It seems like an awfully long, hard slog, but you are used to that, and I believe we can all be very happy with the results. It has been a real pleasure to work with you all." Christina Gallea-Roy - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow "Thank you for sending the 50 copies of my book "Old Trails and Frontiers". I am most pleased by the quality of the production. The book looks very handsome and attractive to pick up and look at. The images and maps have reproduced very well and the text has compressed snicely to make for a slim and lightweight book...... I wish to thank all of your team who have been involved in this venture with me. The liason between us has been excellent and the changes needed have been done expeditiously and without fuss. Please thank everybody for me for their part in the production. The team work has been first class." Bernard Beacroft - Old Trails and Frontiers "It has been an enlightening and pleasant experience having a book published by Book Guild and I would not hesitate to contact the company again should I ever summon up the intellectual energy to write another book." Sean Trafford - Maritime Safety: The Human Factors "The pre-release copies of Navegator arrived today. I am delighted with the fruits of our labours; you have been a delight to work with and I thank you all for helping to bring my "baby" into the world." Geoffrey Iley, Navegator "The author's copies of "The Elephant within Us" arrived today. We were overjoyed to see how impressively beautiful it looks. You have created a perfectly brilliant book: Kieran Hood's jacket is masterly designed in harmonious tones, and the blue hard cover with its gold lettering meets our dream! The high quality paper and clear print make reading it really enjoyable. Publishing The Elephant Within Us with Book Guild has been a truly enriching experience. We never imagined that it would be so easy: the collaboration between us without any problems: each stage flowing on smoothly; and your excellent team meeting our slightest wish and coming up with the right answer. This wonderful experience can only convince us to stay with you for our next creation, if you are willing!" Peter Peeters, The Elephant Within Us "I really cannot take this in. It is so amazing. This is a fab review.....I was speaking to Terry of Waterstones who has received the author boards for the event over Halloween. Thank you for arranging that. Terry is reading it for review at the moment. He said he didn't enjoy the Twilight books but he is really enjoying The Debutante. Wow, I'm gobsmacked! I never anticipated things would go as well as they are....I really am so excited now. I know I thank you all endlessly but I honestly cannot express how truly grateful I am for all the hard work of everyone at Bookguild. You are all so marvellous" Andrea White - Vampeire: The Debutante "I'm writing to thank your team for the way in which you have produced, published and promoted my book. I think I've had all the help and consideration I could have had, especially from Janet and Kieran, Laura and Jessica. I must say that I'm particularly impressed with the quality of the plates. That is important, of course, since some of them are reproductions of Lady Waterford's own work. The book launch at Highcliffe Castle yesterday went well....I think everyone enjoyed themselves." Robert Franklin - Lady Waterford "Having both received my copies of Coup and visited your office to hear about promotion of it, I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations. The book jacket is simple but eye-catching and even better in finished form than I had expected. Having also seen the number of people in your office your output of books strikes me as amazing now that I understand the amount of work involved. Thank you for publishing Coup and for the efforts being made towards its success. And thanks to the individual members of staff who have and are making this possible." Hedley Harrison - Coup "I would like to thank everyone at the Book Guild for helping me through the publication process and getting Killers on the Moor onto the bookshelves. During this exciting partnership I have been really impressed by the hard work and professionalism of everyone involved and this has made the process very enjoyable for me in my first publication." Mike Freebury - Killers on the Moor "Not only did I enjoy having my books published but I also felt I gained considerable knowledge and an insight into the world of publishing. It has been a worthwhile experience that I would have been sorry to miss." Michael J Smedley - Pools Within the Mind and The Sirius Phenomenon "I am delighted with the publication. It looks so good and so professional. I am particularly pleased with the quality of the paper [as you know I was rather concerned about this] and the general layout of print on the each page. The photographs look wonderful and greatly enhance the story and presentation. Likewise, the cover is stunning and the colour of the binding enhances the striking appearance of the book. Thank you so much your attention to detail and the ease with which this publication was accomplished. I much enjoyed the collaboration with you and others at Book Guild. As you will have realised I am a bit of perfectionist [because of my scientific training!] and I like everything to be done well and properly. Book Guild certainly came up to my expectations - and even exceeded them."
David Happold - African Naturalist
"Copies arrived today and wonderful they are, too. The book looks and feels really good. I have opened the bubbly and I raise my glass to you and your colleagues for an excellent job."
Rob Badcock - Big Frog
"I've finally got my copies of Miracle Boy. The book looks fantastic and, even more than that, I am holding a lifelong ambition in my hands. Thank you to everyone who has helped me to achieve it. I've just got to give a special nod to Kieran for his brilliant cover design. I could never have conceived it but it is just perfect. Rest assured that I will do all I can to pay my part in the next phase."
Mike Reilly - Miracle Boy
"I was so pleased to receive your card yesterday on the publication of "Tabitha". Very many thanks for it, and to you, and all the others who signed the card, for all the good work that has been done to make the publication possible. Several people to whom I have shown advance copies have remarked on its delightful appearance and quality of the production"
Helena Harris - Tabitha
"Thank you for the exciting news. I still have a problem believing that it's all happening, and I'm constantly reminding myself how lucky I was to find Book Guild. Everyone helping me has been lovely, and whether or not the book is well received, I'm sure that it will look perfect and be given every chance. Many thanks."
Georgina Jack - Calendar Pigs
"My parcel of books arrived and I can't explain how truly delighted I am! To say I have waited forty-five years to finally hold my first novel in my hands sounds dramatic, but at the age of twelve I knew I could write a book when the time was right. Seeing Touched by the Light in print and finally holding it in my hands is a very special moment, as Carol told me it would be. You have each played a very important part in guiding me through to this amazing end product of which I'm extremely proud. I'm sure you never tire of hearing how professional and knowledgeable you are, but aside from that you made me feel comfortable even though I didn't have a clue about any of the processes. So when I say "thankyou" it is from the bottom of my heart."
Linn Halton - Touched by the Light
"Can I take the opportunity of thanking everyone in the production team for their help and input. I thought the editing was particularly well done and the book has a nicely balanced feel about it. Absolutely thrilled with the cover design etc and the illustrations have turned out better than I expected. I realize how much effort has got into this by all members of the production team - can I therefore ask you to pass on my thanks and congratulations. In due course I will write formally to Carol - but this is intended as a more personal 'thank you' to you and the whole team. Well done!"
Mike Rendell - Journal of a Georgian Gentleman
"You referred early on to the experience of publishing a book as similar to being on a journey. That is exactly how it seemed - and an enjoyable and interesting journey too. I am very grateful to all those at Book Guild who have been such a help to me during that journey. Every person with whom I had contact was unfailingly pleasant and understanding. Emails and telephone conversations were business-like, but always with a light, personal touch to them which I appreciated greatly."
Angus MacNeil - Patterns of Hope
"Dear Carol, Thank you so much for the congratulatory card upon the release of my book "The Animal Within". The past 12 months has been an intriguing journey under the guidance of your expertise. I do not think I would have ventured into publishing without your help. I found the editing a great asset that transformed my efforts into a professional coherent framework and the counselling to the final product was everything I could have hoped for. The quality and presentation of the finished book is exemplary and I feel humbled by the hard work and dedication given to me by everyone at Book Guild Publishing".
C J Hollins - The Animal Within
"Jess - postcards, stickers AND bookmarks! All look great. I didn't get this kind of promotion at Random House. Thanks for sending them."
Philip Caveney - The Buffalope's Tale
"Laura, many thanks. You're a star! In contrast to the publishers of my earlier books who were hopeless at promotion".
Dame Margaret Anstee, The House on Sacred Lake
"I have just received my books this afternoon and I am completely blown away by the quality of the book cover and the jacket design - it is absolutely fantastic. I would like to thank you all for all the hard work that everyone has done to produce such a book of such quality".
John Stirzaker, Mr Trinity's Quest
"Many thanks for the work that you have all put into The Early Callers Son. I am sure that you could not have done more".
Doris Westgarth, The Early Callers Son
"Just a few words to you, Laura, Jessica and all at Book Guild, to say how very pelased that I have been with the books which arrived recently. Feedback so far from those who have read it has been very positive and encouraging....Children are enjoying it too, which bodes well for future use in schools....There has been a good response in Canada too, with promises of orders to come. So, thank you all for your interest and hard work to bring my little story to publication."
Jacqueline Hollings, Teddy Bears and Doodlebugs
"I would like to thank you all at Book Guild once again for all the hard work that went into producing and promoting "Exit". I am very happy with the end result; you've all done a tremendous job!"
Frank Alexander, Exit
"I'd like to say how helpful and efficient all the staff at Book Guild have been. Kieran's cover design is imaginative and eye-catching and the book should do well.
Ean Wood, A Cheerful Book of Misfortunes
"Dear All, thank you everyone for a wonderful job you have all done on my book. I received my copies on Saturday and the book looks absolutley perfect. If I do not sell any, I know without a doubt it will have nothing to do with your professional ability to produce a very good product............. Here's to the release date, hoping it is a success so that I can send you the next manuscript".
Carolynn Green, I Promise
"Dear Carol, Please convey my heartiest congratulations to all the staff of the Book Guild. The overall appearance and presentation of the book has exceeded my wildest dreams and the contents are exactly as I wrote originally but enhanced by the professionalism of your company's layout. The photo section is as near perfect as old photographs will allow, and the captions are clear and concise. Many thanks Carol to yourself and all your staff".
Bob Sinclair, Last of the Hard Hat Divers
"Having just received my author copies of this, my first book, and would like to let you know how delighted I am with them. More importantly however, would you please pass on my sincere thanks to your staff and directors for the very friendly and professional help they have given me in its production and making this such an enjoyable experience".
Ron Dixon, Many a Flower
"Now that I have received the complimentary copies and the book is on the verge of publication I thought I would write to thank you and all your team at Book Guild for a thoroughly professional job. I have been impressed not only with the range of talents displayed but the way everybody has worked together as a team to make this an enjoyable and fascinating experience. I am new to publication and have learned a great deal from working with your excellent staff, who have been unfailingly helpful and courteous throughout. I hope we will have the chance to work together again in the not too distant future."
Keith Jacobsen, No More Sea
"I have found the writing of The Eager Dead a major task, that was certainly helped magnificently by Book Guild's people. The reviews of it in press and journals, I am happy to say, were very favourable. Such a major work was a long time to accomplish but I feel it was worthwhile. With all best wishes and thanks for your help."
Professor Archie Roy, The Eager Dead
"I should like to say that I thought the Book Guild did a magnificent job on this little book, the layout and the colour photos were excellent. I do admire how your team work together. Thank you!"
Jane Graham, Cobalt Blue
"I would like to place on record my appreciation of the wonderful job you and your staff have made of producing my book The Tenth Child, to be published at the end of February. Those who have seen and read early copies of the book are full of praise for the professionalism and quality of the finished product. They are unanimously of the view that it has led to a book which is easy to read and visually appealing. For my part, I cannot thank those members of your staff with whom I have had any dealings over the last 12 months or so enough for their patience and kindness to someone who admits to being a bit impatient at times. I am sure that the marketing process which is just getting under way will be equally impressive and look forward to it and, hopefully, to the success of The Tenth Child. Again, my thanks to everyone."
Harold Bolter, The Tenth Child
"I am very pleased with the production of my book and its striking jacket. It is very professional indeed and I had great support from the editors. I must also praise Kerry and Laura for all they have done to publicise the book for me."
Elizabeth Manson Bahr - Children of the Sun
Thank you for all your support and for providing a very professional service to a new author.
Sean Trafford - Maritime Safety
"I would just like to record how very satisfied I have been with your Book Guild Publishing, since signing a contract with you just under a year ago for The Touch of Durrell. All of the team that I have dealt with, in particular with Joanna, Janet, Laura and Kerry, have been remarkably professional and a delight to deal with; which of course has given rise to the fine publication of my book. I take this opportunity in wishing your publishing firm every possible success with future publications."
Jeremy Mallinson - The Touch of Durrell
"You and your team made last night go with a real bang and everything went so smoothly that my contribution seemed quite a doddle. Although I pay tribute to you all in the Acknowledgement in the front of the book, I do want to reiterate my admiration and gratitude for the way the entire enterprise has been handled. Do tell them I how much I appreciate it."
John Wells-Thorpe - Behind the Facade - following his book launch at The Old Market, Hove
"Throughout the past year, your very helpful staff have guided me through the editorial process and sent regular reports about progress. When I came to Brighton I was also impressed with the arrangements for publicity and for registration with the PLR. Please convey my thanks to everyone involved in the production and marketing of the memoir."
Jessie Howard - Servant of the Services
"Yesterday was the first opportunity I have had to see the completed book and it is stunning. Thank you all so much for your hard work and patience and helping to make my dream come true!"
Stephanie Gray - The Cuckold
"I see Three Hundred Hours is to be released by Trans-Atlantic Publications in the States on Sunday (along with the work of Brian Reeve and W.V.Squair). That was a surprise. Most of Trans-Atlantic's 2008/9 releases seem to be Hodder, Pan, Picador, MacMillan - the big hitters. Well done Book Guild!"
Roderick Low - Three Hundred Hours
"Carol told me I would enjoy the process and she was absolutely right. Three words sum up the company in my mind: impressive, professional and remarkable. Let me say that it has been a pleasure right from the outset and you have no idea how pleased I am that I chose the Book Guild."
Nick Jones - No. 1 Chesterfield Square
"I have received my author's copies and am please to say that I am even more delighted than usual with the final product - indeed a book of most handsome appearance. Many, many thanks."
John Scurr - A Pirate for Harriet
"To my Dear Friends at the Book Guild, you have all given me this wonderful chance of becoming an author and have changed my life forever. That deserves a hell of a big Thank You from me to you."
Carole Patti Clarke - I Wish You Weren't My Mummy
"I was delighted to receive my copies of the memoir last week and I would like to warmly thank you and your colleagues at The Book Guild for producing such a splendid book for me... When we first corresponded you made a number of promises to me about how your Company would turn my script into a book. You have generously fulfilled all those promises."
Denis Coe - Variety Certainly Adds Spice
"I should like to thank everyone at the Book Guild for the work they put towards publishing the book. I loved the jacket, and as a whole the book looked great. I also loved my story. If I wrote it again I would do it just the same. It is 'idiosyncratic, witty and engaging' and fits no particular genre. That's why I enjoy publishing with the Book Guild - it gives us all a chance to push the boundaries of book writing."
Jane Graham - Cobalt Blue (2008) and The Painted Chook (2006)
"I just wanted to thank Laura and Kerry for helping me with all my book signings – ten so far and counting! All the publicity and marketing that you've done is finally paying off and I am having the time of my life!"
Susi Osborne - Ripples of Life
"I have had two books published with you before... with these I have had quite a bit of local success and been to numerous schools to talk about the stories etc... I have been very pleased with the service you have offered in the past."
Sharon J Kirk - Bitsa the Vintage Car and Friends 1 and 2
"The box of books arrived this afternoon, and I just wanted to say that I am absolutely thrilled with them - they have surpassed all my expectations! Thank you all so much for the extremely hard work you have put into the production, and your patience, too!"
Belinda Morse - Calamity & Courage
"The box containing the copies of Three Dimensions was delivered yesterday... and I am delighted to see that the book has turned out just as I wished it to be. The Book Guild has done a beautiful job. I would like to thank everyone who worked on it - especially my pen-pals, Lyn and Janet, recipients of so many 'prioritaire' letters requesting a change in the text. Prose writers must be much easier to deal with that writers of poetry who weigh every word... The project of the publication of this collection meant a great deal to me, and I am grateful to all who helped in its realization."
Margaret Millett - Three Dimensions
"Thanks so much for all your attention to both books. It has been beyond my expectations so far, and I've been here before. How you and your team operate is extremely impressive."
Andrew Iyer - The Betrayed and Domino Run
"Thank you so very much for your production of Reach for the Moon. It is everything I hoped it would be... I shall be ever grateful to you for the stunning, professional result. Your brilliant designer Adrian Murrell has designed the jacket cover exactly the way I hoped it would be and I could not be more pleased with the way it is. The enthusiasm and helpfulness of the team was stupendous all through the various stages of the book. Nothing was too much trouble for them and every query was dealt with immediately. Quite simply my sincere thanks for your production of Reach for the Moon. I am so lucky to have The Book Guild publish it."
Cyril Ornadel - Reach for the Moon
"I received my delivery of Special Houses. They look fantastic ... could you please pass on a huge thank you to everyone involved with producing the book as I never expected such a beautiful turned out piece of literature. Once again many thanks."
Pauline Morgan Special Houses –
"Anne Fleming recently sent me a copy of her excellent book, Byron the Maker... Her choice of publisher is well chosen, the whole production of this book is brilliant: the Book Guild, for me, is well on a par with all the major publishing companies, in this or any other country."
Brian Butler
"I've had over 70 books published, but I haven't been so thrilled with a books in years. Pop Rivals is superb…the care that's been taken is second to none…If only other publishers would take as much care as The Book Guild."
Denis Bond – Pop Rivals
"I felt I had to write to thank you and everyone at The Book Guild for the high quality of care and attention to every detail the company has shown in the production of my book…from the copy-editing to the production and now the publicity, I have found everyone associated with The Book Guild to be thorough, follow-through, imaginative and very pleasant. I spent many years as a professional journalist and I have often found it difficult to trust my work in the hands of others. To have so many professional people under one roof is rare indeed!"
Leonora Langley – Let The Children Sing
"I'd like to thank all at the Book Guild for such a thorough and professional service. They fulfilled everything they said they would do, and more, and I look back on my time with you with fondness. I would like to thank you especially for your enthusiasm and energy, which never faltered. You should be proud of The Book Guild and the work you do."
Sarah Dykins - Lessons from an Angel
"I am delighted with The Man Who Would Be Bing and the pre-release publicity has been terrific. I think it's fair to say that you have at the very least, met all my expectations and indeed exceeded many of them."
Ken Crossland - The Man Who Would Be Bing
"Thank you very much for all the publicity blurb for Mystery In Sherwood. I found it very impressive, professional and packed with essential information – a model of what a campaign should be…You have some very talented people on your staff…Best wishes to all concerned; and your copy of the Book Guild catalogue…I am proud to be in it. May we be associated for a long time to come."
Geoffrey Palmer - Mystery In Sherwood
"It has been a great joy working with The Book Guild and I am indebted to all your colleagues for making this such a constructive and happy experience. Nothing seemed too much trouble. I am delighted with the finished product, quality of paper, text, maps and illustrations and a dramatic dustcover. Congratulations."
Sir Alexander Glen - Target Danube
"I should like to congratulate and thank all of you who were involved with the production and publicity…I could not have wished for a better result."
Quintin Bach – Soviet Aid to the Third World
"There are no words to describe my most sincere thanks for your excellent work…I am more than delighted with everything."
Ida Pearson – Neana and her Magical Adventure
"I thought that it was appropriate to write to you conveying my appreciation, to all involved at The Book Guild, of the excellent marketing of Operation Romanov."
Robert Lloyd-Smith - Operation Romanov
"I feel the need to congratulate you on the excellence of your product. I am really impressed with the end result and am pleased to be associated with such quality."
Tony Rhodes - Everyday is Saturday
"I can't tell you what fun I had doing (the book)..... no cruise could have given me such a super time. In no small way this was due to the care, efficiency and expertise of your company and its employees. I cannot remember the last time I interfaced with an organisation for the best part of a year and never had criticism or irritation. You were all an absolute delight to work with and I can understand why your authors come back with further work."
Professor Arnold Maran - The Voice Doctor
"I did enjoy the whole process, so please pass on my thanks to all the team involved in helping me get Bangkok to BC created."
Andy Scurr - Bangkok to BC
May I take this opportunity of saying how enjoyable my experience with publishing with the Book Guild has been. From when I came down to Lewes to meet the team, and from all the fantastic help you gave to allow this book to reach the shelves. Joanna Bentley and Janet Wrench were superb and helped shaped the book to its finished form. When general practice quietens downs a bit - hopefully soon! - I will definitely use the Book Guild again. "
Dr Michael Barrie - The Surgeon's Rhyme
"I just wish to thank BOOK GUILD for what I regard as excellent service."
Harold Aspen - Creation, The Physical Truth
