Big Thinking School of Writing
Self-Publishing Support for Writers UK from the Big Thinking School of Writing – gentle, practical help to bring your chapbook, poetry pamphlet, children’s book or personal project into print, through Little Thinking Publishing and our ‘Voices’ imprint.
Small print runs · Supportive guidance · No hard sell or confusing jargon.
Overview
The Get Your Book Printed strand of the School of Writing offers Self-Publishing Support for Writers UK who want to see their work in print without being pushed into expensive packages or unrealistic promises.
We help with small, focused projects: poetry pamphlets, chapbooks, children’s books, community anthologies, personal projects and other shorter works. Support is provided through two routes: Little Thinking Publishing and our ‘Voices’ imprint.
Routes into print
A gentle route into print for children and younger writers, or for projects aimed at young readers. Little Thinking Publishing is ideal for small runs of children’s books, school anthologies, youth projects and family keepsake books.
Our ‘Voices’ imprint focuses on emerging and experimental writers, short collections, chapbooks and pamphlets. It’s a good fit for poetry, short stories, hybrid work, and smaller personal projects that deserve a carefully produced physical book.
These routes are designed as bridges between completely DIY self-publishing and traditional acquisition – with clear boundaries and realistic expectations from the start.
Support
Every project is different, but Self-Publishing Support for Writers UK through the School of Writing can include some or all of the following:
A gentle editorial eye on your manuscript or collection: basic checks for clarity, consistency and readability, with suggestions rather than heavy rewrites.
Typesetting and layout suitable for your project – for example, clean and readable poetry layouts, simple picture-book spreads, or clear text for chapbooks and short fiction.
Support with cover design – either using your existing artwork or helping you shape a simple, effective cover that fits the tone and audience of your book.
We obtain quotes, liaise with printers and manage file delivery, proofs and final checks so you don’t have to navigate that alone.
Guidance around ISBNs, legal deposit requirements, and realistic options for selling your books at events, online, or within your community.
You can stay closely involved in each stage, or let us handle most of the logistics and come in for key decisions and approvals.
The exact level of support will be agreed at the start of your project, so you know what’s included and what you’re paying for.
Project ideas
Self-Publishing Support for Writers UK through the School of Writing is best suited to small, focused projects. Examples include:
If your project is a longer novel or commercial non-fiction, we may still be able to advise – but we’ll also talk honestly about whether a self-publishing route is the right fit at this stage.
Process
You send us a short outline of your project, including what the book is, roughly how long it is, who it’s for, and what you hope to do with the finished copies.
We arrange a brief email or online conversation to clarify what you need, talk about realistic options, and decide whether Little Thinking or ‘Voices’ is the best route.
You receive a simple written outline of what we can offer, alongside a clear quote for the work and an approximate printing cost based on your desired print run.
If you decide to go ahead, we work on layout and cover, then send digital proofs (and physical proofs where appropriate) for you to review and approve.
Once everything is signed off, we confirm the print run, oversee production, and arrange delivery of your books to you or your organisation.
We can offer light guidance on launching your book, selling at events, or using copies as part of your wider writing, teaching or community work.
Pricing is always agreed before any design or printing work begins. We don’t lock you into long contracts or take rights to your work – you remain the author of your own book.
Next steps
If you have a project that feels like it belongs in print – whether that’s a children’s story, a poetry pamphlet, a small collection or a group anthology – we’d love to hear about it. There’s no obligation to commit; we’re happy to talk things through first.
