About Us
At The Book Shelf®, we’ve been bringing nonfiction to life since 2018. Our team of bookworms have worked on over 1,500 books with authors around the globe… from first-timers to New York Times bestsellers, TED Talkers, and industry leaders.
Our beliefs
We believe that everyone has a book in them, and that’s why we’re here to guide you from draft to bookshelf. We also believe that great nonfiction books make the world a better place, so we specialise in nonfiction; from philosophy to self-help, business to wellbeing, and more.
Our impact
We’re proud to have helped our authors become bestsellers, land TED talks, and win awards. And we protect 10 acres of rainforest for every sale, with over 600 acres protected to date through the Rainforest Trust. We are partnered with a UK-based, independent, and ethical printing house. This ensures that we are supporting our local economy and small businesses, as well as championing high quality printing and a reduced carbon footprint.
Our mission
Our mission is to make the publishing industry more sustainable, accessible, impactful, and diverse (well-said!) because the creation of books shouldn’t negatively impact people or our planet. We want to ensure that the publishing industry is for the many, not for the few, and better for our planet too. We hope you’ll join us on our journey.
Our Accolades (humble brag!)
Who are we?
Niall Burgess
COO & Creative Director
Niall has over 8 years’ experience in design & management roles, along with fine art and design qualifications. At The Book Shelf, he has combined his eye for design with his love of nonfiction to create products, websites, and book covers. As an autistic person, he enjoys using his diligent nature to keep The Book Shelf’s operations running like clockwork.
Ameesha Green
Founder & Book Shepherd
In her 15 years in publishing, Ameesha has worked in-house for a tech publisher, as a freelance digital nomad, and as a strategy consultant for the UK’s biggest ghostwriting agency. She is the top-ranked philosophy book coach in the world, a head category judge for the Business Book Awards, and a voluntary mentor. She has over 2.5 million answer views on Quora and has ADHD.
Shelby Jones
Editorial Executive
Shelby is our diligent full-time editor and ghostwriter. She is also in the process of becoming a project manager, and she loves helping authors around the world on their journey. Shelby has a Master’s degree in Literature and Culture from the University of Birmingham.
Kyle Albuquerque
Lead Designer & Marketer
Kyle has been designing professional layouts for over 16 years. Having worked in-house for multiple book and magazine publishers, he is an expert at layout design, typesetting, and formatting for print, e-book, and marketing collateral.
Gabriel Both
Marketer
Shaun Hand
Editor & Ghostwriter
Shaun is a bestselling fiction and nonfiction author, and a ghostwriter for many award-winning books (sssh!). He has a first-class degree in creative writing and is a member of the highly respected Room 204 writer development program.
Geoff Leigh
Cover Designer & Illustrator
Geoff is a digital fine artist with a BA in Design for the Entertainment Industry. Following a career in education including art therapy, he combines his art and design skills to create cover art and illustrations.
Gemma Rowlands
Proofreader & Quality Checker
Gemma is our eagle-eyed proofreader from North West England. She has over 12 years’ experience in the publishing industry working for both independent authors and businesses, as well as a BSc in Psychology.
Lola Brown
Publishing Intern
Lola is our publishing intern, focusing on beta-reading, editing, and more. She is currently an English Literature student at the University of Birmingham and is gaining experience in the publishing industry.
The Mascots
TopHat
Resident Philosopher
TopHat is our resident philosopher and a practicing Stoic. She spends a lot of time contemplating the important questions in life, like “chicken or salmon?” She’s virtuous and gentle, never hurts people, and she likes to sleep on Ameesha’s lap, especially during working hours.
Jada
Motivational Coach
Jada, sister of Bagheera, is wide-eyed and whimsical. Whilst Jada is afraid of everything: the vacuum, shoes, being pointed at, and cuddly toys, she encourages others to overcome their fears. If you stop cuddling her, she’ll hit you to show her displeasure, which is motivation to continue.
Bagheera
Waste Managment
Bagheera, brother of Jada, is a critically acclaimed sleeper with a Bachelor of Purrs and a Master of Snuggles, as well as over three years’ experience in eating paper. You’ll find him snoozing in his favourite spot by the fireplace next to Shelby when he’s not fine-dining on a paperback novel.
Sid and Robin
Edipawrial Quality
Brothers Sid and Robin are the esteemed heads of edipawrial quality control, making sure our critiques are purrrfect. You will often find this pair snoozing in the sun while half-listening to their dad Shaun’s vinyl collection.
Pollyanna
Audiobark Narrator
It’s not all cats here. Pollyanna is our number one audiobark narrator. She is a very vocal pup around, specifically at the local park when inquiring about squirrels. Her expertise in narration comes from a lifelong passion for howling in the car to her human, Lola.
Our Partners
We offer internships and mentoring through the University of Birmingham. Please see the University of Birmingham’s website for information about how to apply for B-Experienced internships, PSM placements, and alumni mentoring.
We offer a free book shepherding session to NatWest Accelerator cohort members. If you are part of the NatWest Accelerator, please speak to your hub manager for details on how to book a mentoring session with Ameesha.
We offer opportunities to disadvantaged young people through Birmingham-based charity Sport4Life. Please see their website for details on their offering.
