Meet Maddy, a dynamic force in the world of independent publishing. As an associate artist of the National Centre for Writing and a finalist for the 2023 FSB Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Maddy is a passionate advocate for helping others achieve their dreams. Maddy's extensive experience in editing fiction and non-fiction has earned her a reputation as a skilled and reliable editor.

With two published books under her belt and her third book due in 2024, Maddy knows first-hand the hard work and dedication it takes to bring a book to life. Maddy's literary claim to fame is that she is related to Bram Stoker, the Irish author of Dracula!

Holly is an artist, illustrator, and social media content creator. She has a love of all things book-related and enjoys nothing more than giving a writer’s words visual representation through her artwork. A speciality of Holly’s is book edge painting, allowing her designs to turn any book into a special edition and collector’s item. Holly has run her own art business for several years and prides herself on working closely with clients to achieve their vision and the best possible final result. As well as art and illustration, Holly has a background in acting and is a keen writer, having written a children’s book, along with several TV comedy scripts.

Carl is a creative professional with almost three decades of experience. He has vast experience in publishing having worked at senior level for an international contract publisher for over 20 years. Extremely dedicated, with a keen eye for detail and an incredibly varied skill set, Carl seeks to provide clients with a final publication that exceeds their expectations.

Becca joined Softwood in 2023 as an editor, having earned an undergraduate degree in English Literature and an MA in English. In addition to her academic credentials, Becca has a customer-service background, collaborating with clients in a professional and reassuring way to achieve their desired outcomes. She is enthusiastic about various forms of literature and values the unique perspective of each writer, prioritizing their vision. Becca also likes to write when she can, which enables her to appreciate the effort that authors put into their work.

Alex has joined Softwood as our intern and is currently a marketing student at Lancashire University, specialising in publishing.

Introducing Nathan, a seasoned professional in the world of digital communications. With over 15 years of experience, Nathan is a specialist in social media marketing and strategy implementation. His expertise in managing clients' publishing projects and creating impactful social media marketing strategies has earned him a reputation as a reliable and effective partner. He is dedicated to providing top-quality service and is committed to delivering results that exceed expectations.

When he's not busy helping his clients grow their online presence, Nathan enjoys staying up-to-date with the latest trends in social media and exploring new ways to connect with audiences - and reading PG Wodehouse!

As an illustrator and social media content designer, Jasmine is deeply committed to producing impactful visual content for books of every genre. With a Master's in Publishing and a Bachelor's in Fine Art, she has honed her expertise as both a publishing specialist and a versatile artist, continually expanding her impressive portfolio. She has self-published two of her own poetry books which can be found here.

With a passion for reading and the English language, Abbie decided to turn her hobby into a career. In addition to her qualifications and knowledge, she has extensive customer service experience behind her. This means she ensures clients’ requests, views, and voices will always be recognised and respected throughout their time working with her. 

Lucy is a graphic designer specialising in editorial and print design. Since graduating from Norwich University of the Arts with a First class Honours in Design for Publishing, Lucy has expanded her skills to include media and marketing management. She has a passion for collaboration and working with a multidisciplinary approach. Lucy's creative approach to tasks allows her to think outside the box and create bold designs with lots of personality, whilst always keeping polished design fundamentals. In her spare time, you'll find her with her head in a book, crocheting something absurd, or picking up a new crafty hobby!

Claire has been a cover designer and brand specialist for over 20 years and she is passionate about creating bold, conceptual covers and on-brand promotional toolkits to draw readers in to promote your story. Her book branding skills are very popular with authors looking to create a consistent visual world.