But it’s possible you’re not sure how to go about it, what to do after you’ve written it or whether you should invest your time and money in a book at all.
With a depth of experience in publishing from conception through to sales and analysis, we can help you come up with a publication strategy, find an editor, put together a marketing strategy and help you to produce and distribute your book.
Our philosophy is to help connect you to the people and services you need to publish successfully, and then get out
Joel Naoum has a decade of experience in books and writing. For the past five years he has run Momentum – a global, first-of-its-kind digital imprint for Macmillan – one of the largest publishing houses in the world. Responsible for publishing over a hundred titles a year, Joel oversaw the publishing process from contract negotiation through editorial, production and marketing all the way to sales and analysis. He has worked with authors like Matthew Reilly, John Birmingham, Kylie Scott and Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, across all genres and in both fiction and non-fiction.
He was also responsible for setting up the digital-first production workflow of Momentum, as well as building a custom central title database, which integrated with website ecommerce and a dynamic pricing algorithm that priced ebooks on the fly in response to sales.
Joel is also on the board of the NSW Writers’ Centre and was the recipient of the 2011 Unwin Trust Fellowship, which involved months of research on digital experimentation in the publishing industry.
Our aim is to be as transparent as possible and ensure you pay no mark-up for any services you require. No invisible fees, no strings attached and no ongoing commitments.
Choose from one of our pre-built packages of services or let us customize a package that suits you. Whether you want help setting up distribution, just a marketing plan, or an end to end publishing solution we can help you.
Need help building out a digital production or editorial workflow? Need a best-in-class database solution or help with your ONIX feed? Get in touch to organise a free initial consultancy to provide advice and get a quote on how to help fold the best technology solutions into your business.
Are you interested in exploring book publishing opportunities for the content you’ve already produced, be it from your blog, your brand or your business? Arrange an initial consultation and get advice or a quote on how (and whether) to bring your content together as a book.
One hour consultation to discuss publishing strategy and what you need to publish your book successfully. If in doubt about our services don’t hesitate to get in contact.
One-hour consult on editorial strategy.
Connect you to the most appropriate editors and proofreaders for your work and negotiate fees on your behalf.
Recommend and negotiate with designers and typesetters so you can turn your manuscript into ebook and print-ready files.
Professional brief for your book cover to a recommended cover designer.
One-hour consult on marketing strategy.
Social media audit.
Advice on digital advertising (Facebook, BookBub etc.).
Facilitate merchandising with selected digital retailers.
Metadata created and optimised for your book.
Pricing advice for your genre and type of book.
Book blurb edited and enhanced for your target market.
Set up distribution for your ebook and/or print on demand files across all major retailers.
End to end overseeing of publication process to the standard of traditional publication.
Includes up to two hours of consultancy regarding overall publishing strategy.
Analysis of sales and marketing strategy.
Pick and choose from the services above or just book in a consultation to get advice on how and where to publish your work, how to submit to publishers and agents, edit your pitch, look over your contract with a publisher or agent, or career development. If in doubt about our services don’t hesitate to get in contact.
If we can’t help you, we know someone who can.
Get in touch to organise a free consultation and quote, or if you have any further questions about services.
Get in touch to organise a free consultation and quote, or if you have any further questions about services.
"Joel Naoum is one of the best publishers I've worked with. He's smart, passionate and, most of all, he knows what he's doing!"
- Matthew Reilly, best selling author of Ice Station, Seven Ancient Wonders, The Tournament and The Great Zoo Of China
I was put on to Joel Naoum by someone in the publishing world who described him as "brilliant!" They were not exaggerating. Joel has now assisted me on a successful self-publishing project, contract negotiations with a local and an international publisher and in finding a publisher for my first book. I was extremely impressed with his professionalism, his deep knowledge and contacts, and the outcomes he was able to achieve on my behalf. Joel guided me through the process with as little pain as possible thanks to his level of expertise, eye for detail and obvious passion. I will certainly engage the services of Critical Mass again and would not hesitate to recommend Joel's services to others.
Joel has been a tremendous support and guide to me over the past four years. Working with him would be invaluable to any writer, whatever stage you're at in your career.
As I’d only ever been published by the big corporate houses, I had no idea where to begin when it came to relaunching my backlist on my own. Joel at Critical Mass understood my needs in terms of quality and attention to detail. He made what could have been a nerve-wracking experience so easy.
I worked with Joel on a couple of best selling books. He was a grand master of both writing and publishing. Had him some scary-ass sixth dan black belt moves. Really kicked my shit into shape.
Professional, honourable and one of the good guys in the industry - Joel Naoum put me at the top of the charts every time we worked together.
My experience of working with Joel extends over three books and two novellas, and was nothing but pleasant and amicable – even when we agreed to disagree (which wasn't often). He's a thorough professional with years of history in the business and my books are all the better for his involvement.
Joel Naoum is one of the best publishers I've worked with. He's smart, passionate and, most of all, he knows what he's doing!
I worked with Joel on three separate fiction projects when he was head honcho at Momentum. He was professional, insightful and innovative and with his breadth of knowledge and experience in the industry I always felt like I was in safe hands.
It was a great privilege to have Joel as my publisher for four novels. He has an exceptional editorial eye, and is unafraid to address what doesn't work as well as highlight what does. He's professional, smart and highly capable, and I wish he could publish me still.
As a trailblazer in the publishing industry, Joel Naoum’s experience and guidance were crucial in my path to publication and success as an author. Whether you’re an emerging author, heavyweight publisher or anything in-between, Joel’s expertise is rare, invaluable and likely essential.
I’ve been lucky enough to have known and worked closely with Joel Naoum for almost five years. He has foresight and is able to guide authors in a way that complements their intentions and aspirations, while ensuring that they have a solid foundation upon which to build success.
Joel's application for the 2011 Unwin Fellowship stood out for its grasp of the issues and challenges facing the book industry in today's changing world. And Joel didn't disappoint as he followed his project through with energy, enthusiasm and a keen eyed report which identified problems and options for the future.
I worked with Joel at Pan Macmillan where he always had a keen interest in digital and working out new ways of improving our business. He never limited himself to the role he was in and his inquisitive nature and practical hands-on approach meant we got a lot done together at Pan and Momentum.
I’ve worked with Joel both at Pan Macmillan and Momentum. Having built Australia’s leading digital-first imprint from the ground up, Joel’s understanding of the dynamics of ebook publishing and digital marketing in its publishing context are pretty much unequalled in Australia.
I have been so impressed by Joel's passion and knowledge. As a literary agent I happily placed several authors with him and knew they would be very well looked after. Joel understands and has experience in so many aspects of publishing – his knowledge is hard won and he is generous with it.
I worked alongside Joel for eight years and always found him to be smart, inventive, collaborative and he got things done. He'll go the extra mile, and most importantly do it with humour and intelligence.
Joel is one of the most engaged and dynamic publishers working in the industry today. His knowledge of the traditional publishing industry and passion for emerging publishing trends, along with commercial experience, and a love of books, makes him well placed to offer meaningful strategic insight to publishers and authors.
Joel is one of those rare people who can grasp the complexities of an uncertain future without succumbing to pessimism or fantasy. Over the years I have regularly turned to him for advice, recommendations, and clear-sighted opinions. At Momentum, he combined his ability to see a way forward, when many in the industry were paralysed by indecision, with an entrepreneurial spirit.
I found working with Joel Naoum at Critical Mass a pleasure. He was always on hand to answer a question or help me decide on something. I found him prompt, efficient and flexible.
As this was my first self-published ebook, I needed a “helping hand” to get all the bits and pieces associated with a top book done correctly. He was that helping help.
And even when we disagreed on the cover design, he didn’t get upset when I went to another designer for a fresh new look.
If you have been published before or are going it alone on your first book, I would highly recommend Joel. He has industry contacts which I would never have found and offered useful input when I was filling out endless forms for the US.
All part of my ebook journey. I have learned heaps along the way.
Critical Mass is not currently taking on new clients. If you'd like to be notified about availability, please sign up to the newsletter here. In the meantime we recommend getting in touch with your local writers' centre or the Australian Society of Authors for further advice.
