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.

Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

No other job posts for this day.

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...