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About us

Sparks Publishing - selection of covers
Sparks Publishing - selection of covers

At Sparks we specialise in high-quality, fast-track project management, editorial, design and typesetting services, from manuscript development through to supply of press files and/or various electronic formats. Originally set up in 1996 and incorporated as Sparks Publishing Services Ltd in 2007, we take pride in the fact that our publishing clients trust our experienced team to manage their projects from start to finish. We take the time to understand the most complex requirements, look after the smallest details and meet the most demanding schedules.

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Our skills

Project management

Covers any and all stages from receipt of manuscript to press-ready files, with as much (or as little) reporting as the publisher needs. Our clients trust us to take care of their projects as if they were our own, delivering on time, within budget and to a high standard.

Editorial

Our services include manuscript development, copy editing, proof reading and indexing. We use specialist subject editors and work closely with publishers and authors throughout the process, making sure that all queries are resolved efficiently and the final result is of the highest quality.

Design and typesetting

We pride ourselves on our page layout design and fast-track typesetting. We cover specialist requirements, including equations, non-Latin alphabets and musical score setting. We also work to existing designs, whether supplied as templates, specifications or sample pages.

Music notation and typesetting (engraving)

We are skilled and experienced in setting music (engraving), as examples to be placed in music textbooks or as full musical scores. We mainly set music in Sibelius, although we are also able to work with Dorico, Finale, MuseScore and MusicXML, as required.

Illustration and picture research

We use specialist illustrators in a variety of different disciplines and styles, from artistic illustration to highly specialised scientific, technical, engineering and medical diagrams. We can also organise specialist picture research to suit the project’s requirements and budget.

Multimedia assets

We can organise professional voice recording, video editing and other multimedia services, as part of the overall management of a project. This is of particular relevance to educational publishing, where printed books often need to be published simultaneously with online support materials.
Sparks have been with us from the start and never offered less than exceptional and friendly service.

Mark Allin, Wiley
We can always rely on Sparks to be fast, efficient and on the ball – a pleasure to work with.

Richard Burton, Infinite Ideas
Sparks provide a high level of technical sophistication, combined with traditional editorial and typographic skills – plus the ability to meet tight schedules!

Edward Wates, UK Journal Production Director, Wiley-Blackwell
As an author, it was a pleasure to work with Sparks. They kept me informed of the process and responded promptly and fully to all my queries.

Eleanor Bloxham, author
I had the dream but Sparks made it happen – and made it happen in a fun way!

Eddie Obeng, Learning Director, Pentacle The Virtual Business School
We have received a highly efficient and friendly service from Sparks.

Sophie Hayward, Elsevier Advanced Technology
Sparks provide complete and efficient project management – a professional publishing service from start to finish.

AJ, Professional Books Division, Wiley
Sparks Computer Solutions provide a quick and efficient service; their friendly and enthusiastic approach never failing to meet our needs.

Claire Mills, Elsevier Advanced Technology
Excellent design solutions, with first-rate technical support and aftercare.

Andrew Turner, Yale University Press
I have just got a copy of this recently republished book, and wanted to thank you for your brilliant design work.

Ken Langdon, author
The Sparks team is professional and efficient, providing reliable and speedy service without compromising quality.

Nathalie Manners, Learning Matters
... the book looks VERY good! I have only had great compliments on it, well done and thank you for all your extra work.

happy business author
Credit where credit’s due, it was you who did a great job of pulling this one together.

ES (happy project manager), OUP
I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you both for working so hard to publish these two books early.

PB (happy commissioning editor), Wiley
Thank you so much for your help. This book has been extremely difficult and you have made the production so much easier than it would have been if we’d sent the book elsewhere to be designed and typeset!

FV (happy commissioning editor), OUP
I have just had a look at the ‘finished product’! You have done an amazing job!

VN (happy business/self-help author)
Tom is an outstanding publishing professional. We have worked with him for 15 years and he has never let us down. I recommend him highly.

Richard Burton, Infinite Ideas
Sparks provides efficient project management and an expert typesetting service.

Rebecca Clare, Infinite Ideas
Tom’s also been very helpful on the technical side, being willing to consult on the more mysterious aspects of publishing such as file conversion and electronic publishing.

Rebecca Clare, Infinite Ideas
I’d heartily recommend both Tom and Sparks if you’re in a tight spot and need a no-fuss, reliable, speedy service.

Rebecca Clare, Infinite Ideas
I wish that every author/publisher would publish ebooks as beautifully formatted as this one!

Thomas S. Kelly (happy reader)
I know this is just the beginning, but I wanted to say a huge thank-you to you and your team for helping me create something so lovely.

JS (happy business author)
... the [authors] are really pleased with what you’ve done – they really like the proofs, and they’ve told me and others that they’re amazed there are still typesetters out there who take that much time and care over a set of first proofs. So we have happy authors on our hands (particularly good as they’ve had bad experiences with other setters in the past) – thank you!

VH (happy commissioning editor), Wiley
I just thought, content aside, your book was beautifully produced and I found the typeface particularly easy to read.

Happy reader
I’ve had lots of similarly positive comments on the look of the magazine, so all credit to Tom for doing such a sterling job.

BT (happy magazine editor), RSS
I thought you’d be pleased to know that the author of Publication of Plays emailed me straight away to say this about the proofs: ‘Absolutely beautiful: we do appreciate and relish handsome bookmaking.’

RD (happy publisher), British Library
Just a quick note to say that the editor is very appreciative of the book and I believe that this is entirely a reflection of your efforts.

RC (happy production editor), Boydell & Brewer
I have to say, please give my compliments to your production staff. This is a gorgeous layout.

HS (happy author)
The author is hugely impressed and has said that ‘an excellent job had been done with images and their placement!’ so allow me to duly pass on the compliment!

EC (happy production editor), Boydell & Brewer
The chaplains were blown away with the quality of the images, and seriously impressed with the handbook which you designed for us. Thanks for all your efforts to make this a successful project. I will definitely come back to you if we have similar projects in future.

PM (happy project manager), Methodist Church
Just to say we received our copies of the ICSID Commentary this morning – what an amazing volume! It looks fantastic, befitting of its importance and potential impact. From my point of view it is a triumph, so hopefully the editors and authors will think so too.

KP (on behalf of a happy commissioning editor), Edward Elgar Publishing
I should add that Tom Fryer has been great to work with. As the Chair of ASOR’s publication committee, I have worked with many publishing services. I’d highly recommend him to any of your other authors.

KM (happy author)
Tom Fryer of Sparks Publishing was extremely responsive and helpful, and evidently willing to put in significant amounts of work to get it right. We have the highest regard for his (major) contribution to the professional and attractive look of the final product.

AP (happy author)
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8 Sandford Leaze, Avening, Gloucestershire GL8 8PB

© Sparks Publishing Services Ltd 2024

Registered office: 2 Hinksey Court, Church Way, Oxford OX2 9SX.
Registered in England No. 6414056