Transforming Complex Publishing Challenges into Success: Custom Workflows and Author Relationship Building
Faced with tight deadlines and missing content, our client turned to us for innovative solutions. We developed a custom workflow that not only addressed these issues but also strengthened our collaboration with a key author. Over time, we expanded our services, managing two online edition updates to the original text, preproduction tasks, and ongoing monthly chapter updates. We continue to work directly with the author, with whom we’ve built a trusting relationship—essential for managing such a high-priority, high-volume title—ensuring seamless integration of changes and ongoing success.
Project History
Our client encountered difficulties meeting production milestones due to extensive updates needed for the 26th edition textbook. Our team intervened with hands-on project management, supporting the client’s in-house project management team by streamlining quality checks and expediting manuscript preparation for the typesetter, ensuring timely production.
After this project, we were approached again when the client faced another challenge: missing chapter content after the edition was ported to a custom software program. The author and client were concerned that other chapters might also be missing text. With no complete digital or hard copy available, we created a step-by-step workflow to review and restore the missing content, working closely with the author, client, and editor to resolve all issues.
Process & Approach
To address the author’s concerns and the client’s needs, we implemented a detailed, custom workflow:
- Content Review: We meticulously compared each chapter paragraph by paragraph against PDFs and hard copies, flagging any missing or changed content.
- Content Restoration: We ensured all missing content was restored and received final approval from the editor.
- Ongoing Collaboration: We worked directly with the author, transcribing handwritten edits into digital formats and applying them to the online chapters.
Our team used various platforms—including Word, PDF, and custom software—to insert the edits. To maintain the highest level of accuracy, we employed a two-step QA process, allowing us to make edits quickly while ensuring precision.
Outcome & Results
Our detail-oriented approach earned the trust of both the author and client, leading to additional projects beyond our initial partnerships. We transcribed handwritten updates for the 27th edition during pre-production and organized and trained freelance copyeditors on a new online platform to ensure smooth project execution. We continue to manage monthly updates to the eBook version of the 27th edition textbook, working closely with the author and typesetter to meet deadlines. Our team handles files directly with the author and collaborates with the typesetter to maintain the schedule and publish content updates monthly—updating dozens of chapters online each month. We continue to host monthly calls with the author and make frequent adjustments to our workflow to meet their expectations, consistently surpassing deadlines. Our team is always seeking ways to enhance our processes and can quickly adapt to address any new needs from the client and author.
Looking for a partner who can turn your publishing challenges into streamlined successes?
At GW, Inc., we specialize in creating custom workflows that address your unique needs, ensuring every project is delivered on time and to the highest standards. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your next big project.
When our client faced multiple challenges with a high-priority, multivolume title, we stepped in to support their needs, ensuring the project stayed on track. By doing so, we were able to branch out and address additional client needs as they arose, including transcribing an extensive volume of handwritten updates, maintaining a rigorous schedule, and updating dozens of chapters online each month—all while preserving the trust of our client’s high-priority author. Our expertise in developing custom workflows, adhering to tight deadlines, and building strong author relationships led to significant results. If you’re facing complex publishing processes, let GW Inc. provide the expertise and personalized project management support you need to succeed. Contact us today to discover how our tailored solutions and dedicated support can drive your success.
Written by Megan Chandler, Manager, Higher Education Content Management
Let’s work together.
We specialize in turning complex publishing challenges into streamlined, efficient processes. For over 50 years, we have partnered with academic, educational, assessment, and health science publishers to offer end-to-end publishing solutions. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, we are a privately held U.S. company with a subsidiary in Chandigarh, India.
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