Book services directory

Browse our curated board of trusted book professionals. Every listing is reviewed before it appears here — so you can focus on your manuscript, not on vetting strangers.

Manuscript developmental editing

Deep structural feedback on plot, pacing, character arcs and narrative voice. Ideal for fiction and creative non-fiction writers preparing a second or third draft.

FictionNon-fictionStructural

"Transformed my scattered chapters into a cohesive story. Worth every dollar." — R. Tan, debut novelist, 2024

Copy-editing and proofreading

Line-by-line polish for grammar, consistency, style-guide compliance and typographical accuracy. We match you with editors experienced in your genre or subject area.

AcademicGenre fictionBusiness

Book cover design and interior layout

Professional cover concepts, typography selection, and print-ready interior formatting. Our designers understand retail shelf impact and thumbnail visibility for online stores.

PrintE-bookAudiobook art

Self-publishing guidance

End-to-end support for authors navigating Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or regional distributors. Includes ISBN registration, metadata optimisation, and launch-week strategy.

KDPIngramSparkWide distribution

Literary coaching and accountability

One-on-one sessions to keep your writing on track. Coaches help with goal-setting, writer's block, and maintaining momentum across long projects.

First-time authorsLong-form

"My coach kept me accountable for eighteen months until the manuscript was done. I wouldn't have finished without this service." — D. Lim, memoir author

Book marketing and publicity

Pre-launch buzz campaigns, review-copy distribution, social-media strategy, and media outreach tailored to the book market in Singapore and the wider APAC region.

Launch strategySocial mediaPR

Ghostwriting and collaboration

Experienced ghostwriters for memoirs, business books, and thought-leadership titles. Confidential, structured, and interview-driven to capture your authentic voice.

MemoirBusinessThought leadership

Translation and localisation

Professional book translation between English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. Localisation services ensure cultural nuance is preserved for regional audiences.

MandarinMalayTamil

Audiobook production

Narration casting, studio recording, mastering, and distribution to Audible, Spotify, and Apple Books. We handle the technical side so you can focus on the story.

NarrationMasteringDistribution

Your author journey — mapped

Not sure what you need? This table shows the typical stages of bringing a book to life and which services apply at each point.

Stage	What happens	Services to consider	Typical timeline
Idea and outline	You define scope, audience, and chapter structure	Literary coaching	2–6 weeks
First draft	Write the full manuscript without over-editing	Coaching, ghostwriting	3–12 months
Developmental edit	Structural feedback reshapes the narrative	Developmental editing	4–8 weeks
Revision	Author rewrites based on editorial notes	Coaching	4–10 weeks
Copy-edit and proof	Line-level polish and error correction	Copy-editing, proofreading	2–4 weeks
Design	Cover art, interior layout, e-book formatting	Book design	3–6 weeks
Production	ISBN, metadata, print files, audiobook recording	Publishing guidance, audio	2–6 weeks
Launch	Pre-orders, reviews, media outreach, social buzz	Marketing, publicity	4–8 weeks

Every professional is background-checked

Portfolio samples reviewed by our editorial team

Satisfaction guarantee on first engagement

Readiness check

Where are you in your book project right now? Pick the stage that fits and we will recommend the right professionals.

Just an idea

You have a concept but haven't started writing yet. A coach or ghostwriter can help.

Draft in progress

You are writing but need structure or accountability support to finish.

Manuscript complete

Your draft is done and you need editing, design, or publishing guidance.

Ready to publish

Edited and designed — you need distribution, marketing, or audiobook production.

Insights from the board

Practical notes drawn from our network of book professionals and the authors they serve.

Why most first-time authors underestimate editing

A common pattern we see: an author finishes a draft, feels elated, and immediately wants to publish. The manuscript then goes to a copy-editor who flags hundreds of issues — but the real problem is structural. Without a developmental edit first, the copy-edit is polishing a house with shaky foundations. Our recommendation is always to budget for at least two editing passes: one structural, one line-level. The investment pays for itself in reviews and reader retention.

"I skipped the developmental edit on my first book and regretted it. On book two I did it properly and the difference in reader feedback was night and day." — J. Koh, children's book author

Quick tip

Ask your editor for a sample edit of 1,000 words before committing. Any reputable editor will offer this — it helps both sides gauge fit.

Did you know?

Books with professionally designed covers sell on average three times more copies in their first month than those with DIY covers, according to a 2023 survey of independent authors in the APAC region.

Independent bookshop interior with warm lighting and full shelves

Supporting Singapore's literary ecosystem

Every professional in our directory has demonstrated experience working with Southeast Asian authors. We prioritise local knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of the regional publishing landscape — from Epigram Books to Penguin Random House SEA.

How our vetting works

We don't list everyone who applies. Here is the evaluation framework we use before a professional appears on the board.

Step one: application

Professionals submit portfolio samples, references, and a description of their working process. We receive roughly forty applications per month and advance about a third.

Step two: editorial review

Our in-house editorial panel evaluates each sample against genre-specific quality benchmarks. For editors, we run a blind test: we send a deliberately flawed manuscript excerpt and assess the depth and accuracy of their feedback. Designers submit three recent cover projects, which we evaluate for market fit, typography, and retail-shelf impact. Coaches and consultants undergo a structured interview about their methodology, client outcomes, and ethical boundaries.

Step three: ongoing monitoring

Once listed, professionals receive periodic client-satisfaction checks. Listings with consistently low ratings are paused and reviewed.

"Booktrustwave connected me with an editor who genuinely understood Southeast Asian literary fiction. That specificity matters." — A. Nair, short-story collection author

Common questions

How much do book editing services typically cost?

Rates vary by genre, word count, and edit depth. Developmental editing in Singapore generally ranges from SGD 0.03 to SGD 0.08 per word. Copy-editing sits between SGD 0.02 and SGD 0.05 per word. We recommend requesting quotes from at least two professionals on the board to compare.

Can I see samples before hiring?

Yes. Every listed professional provides portfolio samples on their profile. We also encourage requesting a paid sample edit or design mockup before committing to a full project.

Do you take a commission from the professionals?

We charge a small annual listing fee to professionals. We do not take a percentage of project fees. This keeps our incentives aligned with quality rather than transaction volume.

What if I am unhappy with the work?

Our satisfaction guarantee covers the first engagement. If you are not satisfied after a good-faith effort, we will match you with an alternative professional at no additional listing fee. Disputes are mediated by our editorial team.

Do you work with authors outside Singapore?

Absolutely. While our professionals are concentrated in Singapore and the APAC region, most services are delivered remotely. We have matched authors from Australia, the UK, India, and the United States with local professionals.

Get matched with a book professional

Tell us about your project and we will recommend the right people from our directory within two working days.

Thank you! We will review your request and respond within two working days.

Reach us directly

[email protected]

Phone

+65 6002 8560

Office

6442 Beach Road, 529536 Singapore, East Region, Singapore

Legal information

Effective date: 1 January 2026

Booktrustwave collects personal data (name, email, phone, project details) solely to match you with relevant book service professionals. We do not sell or share your information with third parties for marketing purposes. Data is stored on encrypted servers within Singapore and retained for up to 24 months after your last interaction. You may request deletion at any time by emailing [email protected]. We use cookies to remember your preferences and consent choices. No tracking pixels from advertising networks are deployed on this site. By using our services you consent to this policy.

Last revised: 1 January 2026

By accessing booktrustwave.cyou you agree to these terms. Booktrustwave operates a directory and matching service; we are not a party to any contract between you and a listed professional. We vet professionals to the best of our ability but do not guarantee outcomes. Disputes between authors and professionals should be raised with our mediation team within 30 days of project completion. We reserve the right to remove listings or suspend accounts that violate our quality standards. These terms are governed by the laws of Singapore.

Disclaimer

The information on this site is provided for general guidance. Booktrustwave makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any listed professional's services. Publishing outcomes depend on many factors beyond our control, including market conditions, manuscript quality, and individual professional performance. Use the directory at your own discretion.