SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICES FOR AUTHORS BY AUTHORS
Formatting, Cover Design & ISBNs Made Simple
Your partner for formatting, cover design, distribution and more
Professional Publishing Services
Built for Indie Authors
At Oak and Apex, we specialize in helping indie authors bring their books to life—professionally, beautifully, and with purpose. Whether you're just starting out or preparing to publish your next title, our tailored services support you at every step.
From cover design and ISBN registration to formatting and global distribution, we handle the technical details—so you can focus on your craft. With nearly a decade of experience, competitive pricing, and a team of fellow authors, we know what it takes to publish with confidence and impact.
Explore our full range of services and discover how Oak and Apex can support your publishing journey.
Book Cover Design: Your Book’s First Impression
In self-publishing, a professionally designed cover isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Readers often make split-second decisions based on appearance, and your cover is the first—and sometimes only—chance to grab their attention. Whether they’re browsing online or flipping through a bookstore shelf, your cover tells them everything they need to know about your book’s genre, tone, and credibility.
At Oak & Apex, we specialize in creating custom book covers that are visually compelling and market-ready. We don’t rely on pre-made templates or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we collaborate closely with indie authors to understand the story, target audience, and visual style. From concept to completion, each design is tailored to reflect your book’s identity while adhering to the technical specifications required by retailers like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Apple Books.
Our cover design service includes thorough genre research, multiple draft options, and collaborative feedback rounds. We deliver high-resolution files for both print and ebook formats—whether you need a wraparound paperback, a hardback dust jacket, or a Kindle-optimized image. Every element, from typography to color palette, is chosen with purpose to attract your ideal readers and drive sales.
Many self-published authors attempt DIY covers, only to discover how easy it is to miss critical details—like spine width calculations, bleed settings, or how genre expectations influence reader behavior. With Oak & Apex, you can skip the guesswork. Our experienced designers ensure your cover is not only beautiful, but strategically designed to convert browsers into buyers.
When your book looks professional, readers take it seriously. Let us help you make a powerful first impression that sells.
Formatting: The Unsung Hero of a Professional Book
When it comes to self-publishing, formatting is one of the most critical—and often overlooked—steps in the journey from manuscript to book. Many first-time authors focus heavily on the writing and cover design, but formatting determines how a reader experiences your work. A poorly formatted book looks unprofessional, confuses the reader, and can even result in being rejected by major platforms.
At Oak & Apex, we specialize in professional book formatting for both print and ebook editions. Formatting isn't just about line breaks and margins—it's about ensuring your book meets the industry standards required by distributors like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Apple Books. For print, this means precise margins, trim sizes, pagination, headers, and spacing. For ebooks, it’s about responsive design, hyperlinking, and ensuring compatibility across devices.
Self-published authors often try to format their own books using word processors or DIY tools, only to run into trouble when uploading files to publishing platforms. Our team uses industry-leading software and applies best practices to make your book not just readable, but professional and engaging.
Whether you're producing a novel, memoir, or nonfiction guide, our formatting services give your book the polished layout it deserves—so you can publish with confidence and stand out in the competitive indie market.
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Distribution: Getting Your Book into Readers’ Hands
You’ve written and polished your manuscript, finalized your cover, and prepared your files—now comes one of the most critical (and often confusing) steps in self-publishing: distribution. For many indie authors, this phase can feel like navigating a maze of platforms, formats, and pricing strategies. And with constantly evolving marketplaces, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of where to begin.
At Oak & Apex, we take the guesswork out of book distribution by managing the entire process for you. Whether you're launching a debut novel or expanding your backlist, we make sure your book reaches readers wherever they shop. We work with the most trusted distribution platforms in the industry, including Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble Press—ensuring both print and digital editions are available across multiple marketplaces.
Our team uploads your interior and cover files in the correct formats. We input your metadata—including title, subtitle, description, keywords, BISAC categories, and author bio—with SEO in mind to maximize visibility. We also ensure your book meets the technical and quality standards required by each platform, reducing the risk of rejections or delays.
One of the most important parts of distribution is choosing the right strategy. Should you enroll in Amazon’s KDP Unlimited program for exclusivity, or go wide across all platforms? What’s the ideal price point for your ebook in different territories? Should you offer a hardcover option through IngramSpark? We walk you through these decisions based on your goals, budget, and marketing plans.
We also assist with the practical side of publishing—such as ordering author copies, managing print options (paperback vs. hardcover), and understanding royalty structures and sales reports. Our goal is to empower you with clarity, not confusion.
With Oak & Apex, you don’t just get access to global distribution—you get a reliable publishing partner who ensures your book appears professionally and consistently across platforms. We remove the technical and logistical burdens so you can stay focused on writing and building your author brand.
Self-publishing shouldn’t stop at uploading a file—it’s about reaching real readers around the world. Let us help you get there.
ISBN Registration: Giving Your Book a Professional Identity
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is like your book’s fingerprint. It’s how bookstores, libraries, and readers identify and track your self-published book across the globe. Without one, your book can’t be listed properly in databases, and you risk missing out on sales and visibility.
Oak & Apex helps authors register ISBNs under their own name, giving them full publishing control and professional credibility. We guide you through the process, explain territory-specific rules (like the UK vs. US), and handle technical details like barcodes and metadata entry.
While some platforms like Amazon offer free ISBNs, these often come with limitations and branding restrictions. We believe authors should own their ISBNs outright, and we make that process easy and stress-free.
When you publish with Oak & Apex, your book gets a proper ISBN and a place in the global publishing system—just like traditionally published titles.
Publishing Packages for indie authors
Find the right package for your publishing journey, complete with free unlimited revisions to ensure your book is polished to perfection.
Premium package
$ 799
Enhanced support for a polished publication
FORMATTING
Ebook and Print
Amazon
Apple Books
Google Book
Barnes and Noble
Ingramspark
Lulu Book
COVER DESIGN
Full cover design (front & back)
ISBN
ISBN Registration
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution on the platforms listed above
unlimited free revisions
For authors seeking a complete, professional publishing experience. Includes everything in the Starter Package, plus formatting for IngramSpark, Lulu, and B&N. Also includes a custom cover design and ISBN registration—all in one competitive package.
STARTER PACKAGE
$ 399
Essential tools to get your book published
FORMATTING
Ebook and Print
Amazon
Apple Books
Google Book
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution on the platforms listed above
COVER DESIGN
Assistance only
revision
3 free revisions
on-demand
QUOTE
Custom publishing tailored to your individual needs
A flexible option for authors with specific needs. Choose formatting, cover design, ISBN support—or all three. Tailored services let you stay in control of your project. Get professional help when you need it, backed by the team at Oak and Apex.
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Independent Publishing: Guides, Fixes & Insights
Practical answers to real publishing challenges faced by indie authors
Publishing Basics & Workflow
Marketing & Book Sales
Metadata & Discoverability
Author Platform & Branding
Formatting, Design & Structure
Get Our Free Guide for Aspiring Publishers
A clear and helpful overview of formatting, cover design, ISBNs, and distribution—ideal for getting started on your publishing journey
Oak and Apex helps indie authors publish confidently. We provide expert support, pro tools, and custom services to bring your book to life—and help you thrive in today’s competitive self-publishing world.
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