Book Designer & KDP Publishing Specialist for Guided Journal
NYClementine Publishing is seeking an experienced book designer and publishing-production specialist to complete a thoughtfully designed guided journal and companion for new mothers.
The content for the journal is complete, and the overall brand and creative direction are already being developed by a separate brand designer. The selected freelancer will receive the manuscript, brand guidelines, typography and color direction, logo assets, and several custom illustrations. This is therefore not a full branding project or a project starting from a blank page.
The primary goal is to translate the established creative direction into a cohesive, beautiful, and technically accurate journal that is ready for publication through Amazon KDP. We may also adapt the design for a premium direct-to-consumer edition produced by a specialty printer.
- Scope of work may include:
- Reviewing and organizing the completed journal manuscript
- Designing the full interior layout within the established creative direction
- Creating a clear and consistent system for prompts, reflection pages, check-ins, lists, and writing space
- Integrating supplied illustrations and other visual elements
- Advising on trim size, margins, page count, paper limitations, bleed, and other production considerations
- Preparing a print-ready interior PDF for Amazon KDP
- Designing or finalizing the full cover file, including spine and back cover, using the supplied branding and artwork
- Preparing files that meet current KDP technical requirements
- Uploading the files to KDP or guiding me through the upload and setup process
- Reviewing the digital proof and making any necessary corrections before publication
- Providing organized editable source files and final print-ready exports
- Potentially adapting the final design for a premium clothbound or specialty-printed edition
- The ideal freelancer has:
- Strong experience designing guided journals, workbooks, planners, or other structured nonfiction interiors
- Demonstrable experience preparing books for Amazon KDP
- Excellent editorial judgment and attention to typography, pacing, hierarchy, and usability
- Experience working from an existing brand identity without unnecessarily reinventing it
- Familiarity with Adobe InDesign or comparable professional book-layout software
- An understanding of both print design and the practical requirements of journal writing space
- A refined, warm, editorial aesthetic rather than a generic template-based or overly decorative style
- Excellent communication and a willingness to collaborate through scheduled video calls
Experience with premium stationery, motherhood or wellness publications, gift books, or boutique publishing is especially welcome.
Illustration ability is a bonus but not required. Some illustrations will be supplied by the current brand designer, and I may commission an additional illustrator separately. If you also illustrate, please include relevant examples and explain how illustration would be priced separately from layout and publishing production.
Please include the following in your proposal:
1. Examples of guided journals, planners, workbooks, or similar interiors you have designed
2. Examples of books you have prepared specifically for Amazon KDP
3. The software you use and whether editable source files are included
4. Whether you can assist with KDP upload, proof review, and technical troubleshooting
5. Your estimated timeline and preferred project structure
6. Whether you have experience adapting a KDP edition for premium offset or short-run printing
7. Any questions you would want answered before providing a final fixed-price quote
Please begin your proposal with the word “Held” so I know you have read the full description.
About NYClementine Publishing:
NYClementine is an independent publishing brand creating thoughtfully designed books, journals, keepsakes, and paper goods for modern families. Our visual direction is warm, calm, literary, and editorial, with an emphasis on emotional honesty, timeless design, and products that feel meaningful enough to keep.