The Smart Women Publishing Team
I work closely with a small team of freelance professionals
specialising in coaching, editing, design, marketing preparation,
and online distribution to produce and publish quality non-fiction books.
Based in Brisbane, Australia, we can begin working with you promptly,
ensuring your book is brought to life thoughtfully,
and available globally in a realistic time frame.
BEV RYAN: OWNER, BOOK COACH & BOOK PRODUCTION MANAGER
I am my clients’ one point of contact, helping you plan, write, and publish quality books. As a non-fiction book coach and the book production manager in my business, I quality-control every book, and work with our editors and designers to ensure professional outcomes. Since 1997, my career in independent publishing has included establishing two national magazines and supporting women authors through a network I founded in 2009.
In 2014, I began managing book production, engaging freelance editors and designers, and have brought dozens of books to life. I hold a B.A. in English Literature, Diploma in Education, and a career coaching qualification. My own varied business and career experiences allow me to connect with a diverse range of authors and book subject matter across many industries.
My strengths are organisation, warmth, accountability, communication, and uncomplicated practicality. Professional skills include language accuracy, eye for design, quality control, and project management.
‘Prior to turning 70, I penned a 50,000-word manuscript reflecting my professional life as a psychologist, nurse and marriage celebrant. After tentatively googling editors and publishers, I was falling into rabbit holes and was ready to shelve the idea. By chance, a neighbour told me about Bev Ryan, and I made the call. From that first conversation, I felt safe and I felt heard.
Bev and her team expertly supported me to self-publish ‘Shelter from the Storm’. She calmly guided me through the process of editing, typesetting and publishing in print & digital formats. Bev’s authenticity, flexibility and attention to detail shone through. Despite offering me multiple cover designs, Bev eagerly encouraged using my son’s artwork for the book cover. She kept me on track even when my energy waned. With Bev Ryan, your life and your stories will find their voice.
Bev and team, I am deeply grateful.’
EDITOR
Penny was an in-house editor at Scholastic NZ for ten years before freelancing for Scholastic, Random House, and Penguin. She edited academic material for Auckland University and continued freelancing in Australia for Fremantle Press, CSIRO, Western Australian Maritime Museum, Macquarie University, and Aspermont.
More recently, Penny has focused exclusively on editing books, including non-fiction for all age groups and target demographics.
Penny has been an integral member of our freelance team for 8+ years, and has been responsible for the quality content of many of our clients’ diverse books, like ‘Your Next Chapter‘ by Angela Raspass (original edition 2020 – currently in revision); ‘Infrastructure – The Story of Asset Management‘ by Dr Penny Burns; and ‘A Medium’s Story’ by Kerrie Erwin. More works in progress.
EDITOR, WRITING MENTOR
Peta-Ann Wood is an editor, international author, best-selling co-author, and the creator of Elegant Rebel®—a movement celebrating unapologetic self-acceptance and authenticity. Trained as an ‘old school’ journalist, Peta-Ann brings 30+ years of experience in media, PR, and communications. She spent two decades with police and emergency services, where she excelled as Executive Editor, managed graphic design services, and led award-winning campaigns. As a professional editor and strategic mentor, Peta-Ann infuses her work with both technical mastery and intuitive wisdom. She specialises in polishing manuscripts, reviewing content for impact, and mentoring clients to write with clarity, confidence, and soul.
A late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, Peta-Ann is passionate about supporting ND and dyslexic writers. She views her neurodivergence as a gift in the editing process—allowing her to spot patterns, rhythms, and meaning that others might miss. Peta-Ann’s mission is clear: to help others take up space, find their voice, and stand in their light.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITOR / WRITING COACH
Liza Bernstein has worked with several of our writers over time to help them find their way through obstacles and achieve the clarity necessary to complete their manuscripts and connect with their readers.
Over the past 30 years Liza has worked for innovative organisations at the intersections of technology, entertainment, the arts, community-building, and healthcare, wearing many hats — including writer, editor, advocate, speaker, facilitator, design thinker — and one uniting principle: facilitating the communication of stories and ideas that impact the world. One of Liza’s passions is memoir, and she has studied intensively with renowned memoir expert, Tristine Rainer. Liza has also coached and edited multiple first-person writers and speakers, notably people with lived experience of illness and disability, with a focus on telling meaningful stories that break down silos, foster understanding, promote education and empowerment, and accelerate change.
BOOK COVER & PAGE DESIGNER
Jana is an experienced non-fiction cover and layout specialist, and passionate Adobe CC expert. With 25 years of experience in the field, she specialises in creating engaging and functional layouts for magazines, catalogues, books, book covers, annual reports, brochures, and other publications. Jana pays special attention to functionality and visual consistency, effectively communicating messages and attracting target audiences. Her approach is rooted in clean, modern aesthetics, but she is flexible in terms of style.
Jana has worked with Smart Women Publish for ten years, and has been responsible for many of our eye-catching covers and/or professional layouts, like ‘shelter from the storm‘ by psychologist Dianne Lee; ‘Trolled’ by entrepreneur Khuraman Armstrong; and ‘Confessions of a Woman in Real Estate‘ by business coach Hannah Schuhmann. More works are in progress.
BOOK COVER DESIGNER
Mila is a graphic designer specialising in book cover designs for publishers and authors. Her goal is to provide clients across all genres with a smooth, pleasant and rewarding design process to give each book the creative and unique artwork it deserves.
Mila has produced quality book covers for some of our clients now for 5 years, offering a variety of styles in the concept stage, from minimalist modern to funky to elegant, and in between. Book covers include: ‘Find Your Way Home‘ (right) by architect Alexander Hill; ‘Life’s Next Path‘ by Dr Carol McGowan; and ‘Leadership Assets‘ by Dr Monique Beedles. More works in progress.
PRINT & EBOOKS
Our designers provide final, high-resolution print-ready page and cover files after proofreading has been completed, corrections made, and those corrections checked again. Bev takes those files and manages printing and distribution via Amazon KDP and/or IngramSpark, as well as local printers if required.
Only then do we arrange the production of the epub files with a trusted supplier for distribution of eBooks via Amazon KDP and/or IngramSpark.
‘When Bev offered me a place in her Book Success Group beginning in September 2022, I knew it was just what I needed. We met fortnightly, which gave me deadlines and the accountability I needed, and coaching which helped me firm up my book structure and get writing. Now, a year later, I am a published author. Bev tidied up sections as I wrote and travelled, so editing was not too arduous when it was written. She also organised the book cover design and page layout, and a new website, in preparation for my book release in 2023. My book is now available globally, and has hit #1 on Amazon a couple of times in ‘Women in Business’ and ‘Real Estate’ categories.’
Associated Author & Publishing Services
I endorse the following services for authors, and can introduce you.
You would work with them directly, though my team can be involved if/where required.
BOOK SALES & MARKETING
Narelle Todd helps self-published fiction and non-fiction authors create a sustainable marketing system that sells books and works for you — even if you are tech-wary, time-poor, or totally overwhelmed. Narelle can show you how to create a simple yet effective marketing plan to increase readership and sales that tells you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it! You can choose to chase after the latest tactic or you can follow a proven guide to selling books that also gives you the freedom of more time to write!
⇒ Find Narelle and her book marketing courses and resources here: www.getmybookoutthere.com
⇒ WATCH A VIDEO DISCUSSION about book marketing with Narelle Todd & Bev Ryan.
AUTHOR WEBSITES & ASSOCIATED MARKETING SUPPORT
With over 20 years of experience in technical writing, web development, and marketing, Dianne combines technology, communications design and marketing strategy to give you a tool that connects with readers, builds credibility, and drives book sales.
In her affordable author “website-in-a-box” package, you get website strategy, design, development, content, SEO and hosting, and then full-service support to keep things running smoothly. You focus on writing and public speaking, and let your website do the heavy lifting of ongoing marketing.
Your site will redirect buyers to the platforms that are most profitable for you, start your mailing list before launch, announce events to the right readers, and even test ideas with surveys to boost engagement.
As part of the process, she’ll write copy that connects with your ideal readers, and create graphics for your book marketing—all with full copyright for you to use in ongoing promotions.
⇒ Find Dianne and her author services HERE.
‘Budget Right is my first book and I needed assistance with everything, including how-to information, editing, design, production AND marketing of the book. I felt intimidated at first as I started to research how to self-publish. I contacted a few different companies, but they spoke a different language that left me feeling more confused. But when I first spoke to Bev, she was very helpful and reassuring, and explained the process so I finally felt it was possible to do it. Later, when I sent my finished manuscript to Bev, she applauded me for writing a holistic book to help people struggling with finances, however she suggested I include my story. Bev made it a safe place for me to be vulnerable, and it proved to be pivotal in my own healing process. I could not have done this without Bev and Linda Johannesson, the amazing marketing consultant Bev introduced me to, who is now helping me with marketing my book and growing my business.’