For this month’s Meet the Team spotlight, we are proud to introduce you to Michael! He is responsible for preparing books for print and creating polished ebooks, Michael plays a key role in ensuring every title is ready for readers. With a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of both print and digital publishing requirements, he helps transform manuscripts into professional, high-quality books.
Get to know Michael and learn more about the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring our authors’ stories to life!
Can you tell us a bit about your role at Tellwell, and what you work on day to day?
I prepare both interior and cover designs for printing, and I also create ebooks if the service is included in the package.
What does your process look like when creating an ebook from a manuscript?
It is similar to traditional print design, but with the added element of web scripting.
What steps are involved in preparing the final interior and cover files for print?
The most important step is to review the task checklist first, followed by the metadata [distributor information like title, author, publication year, ISBN, and page count], and lastly the printer specs—page sizes, etc.
What’s the difference between preparing a file for ebook distribution versus print production?
There are many differences when it comes to e-books versus print versions. Most of the time, ebooks have limitations compared to print designs; for example, an ebook does not support anchored images [an image attached to a specific reference point] or drop caps [a large, decorative capital letter placed at the beginning of a paragraph].
What are the most important details you need to check before a file is approved for printing or distribution?
The files need to pass printer standards—for example, the ink limit.
What are some common formatting or file issues you often need to fix before final delivery?
The majority of formatting errors occur during KDP validation [an Amazon process to prepare the book for publication]; typical examples include margin inaccuracies and metadata discrepancies.
How do you make sure ebooks display properly across different devices and platforms?
I use several apps to check them—especially on the iPad and Kindle Previewer.
Can you walk us through a typical project from receiving files to final output for print and distribution?
The first step is to check the cover format. This includes verifying that the metadata is correct and ensuring it passes our checklist—such as verifying the ink limit, confirming it is high-resolution, checking that the correct ink and paper were used, and ensuring the correct trim size, etc. Next I need to check if the interior of the book has the correct formatting and also passes our task checklist. Then, I create the final file, which is high-resolution without a watermark.
Lastly, I check if there are ebook services requested; if so, we create the ebook file.
How do you collaborate with designers, authors, or other team members during the production process?
Most of the time, as one of the people in charge of the channel files, I frequently collaborate with project managers to resolve metadata and minor formatting issues. Additionally, I sometimes guide my team on optimal design layouts for ebook production.
What part of your job do you find most rewarding?
When I finish converting a complicated book and finally see it as an actual ebook—it feels amazing!
What’s one thing authors might not realize about what goes into preparing a book for ebook platforms and print?
Most of our authors have limited knowledge about ebook restrictions, which is why one of my strengths is helping them understand how the ebook format will look compared to the print version.
When you’re not working at Tellwell, what do you like to do for fun?
I love having quality time with my twin boys and going to the mall with the family.
