Although Spire Books Ltd is relatively new, the five of us have already acquired a range of experience in all aspects of publishing through our various other roles and responsibilities. Please see out resumes, at the bottom of this page.

All five of us have carried out primary research and writing. We know how difficult the journey is from blank page to finished product, and intend to make it as easy as possible for our authors - we are always keen to speak to authors, both established and potential.

As for editing, design and printing, between us, wearing our various other hats, we have been responsible for start-to-end production of some six substantial books, and numerous other booklets.

Our commercial experience means we take marketing seriously, with a proactive attitude which has already been effective in the direct selling of three books - success in these ventures means that our database of potential customers is already substantial.

In short, we will work with you to make a good job of producing your book, and a good job of marketing it.

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We are keen to speak to authors both established and potential.

We would like to talk to you whether your book is close to completion, or at the earliest stage of consideration.

We will give you our honest opinion, quickly.

There are various things we would like to discuss with you, including:

• How do you visualise the length and appearance of the book?
  
• What makes this book special?
  
• Who will want to buy the book?
  
• How are you setting about producing the manuscript (diskette!)?
  
• How can the book most benefit from illustrations?

We are happy to explore co-publishing.

Spire Books believe that sometimes the best route is to co-publish with a learned Society, or other organisation. Our name and that of the other body both appear on the title page.

We believe that our production expertise and marketing skill can lead to greater exposure and a wider readership than a book published by a Society acting alone.

To date, Spire Books have published in conjuction with the following:

• Georgian Group
  
• Victorian Society
  
• Pugin Society
  
• Ecclesiological Society
  
• Landmark Trust

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Dr Geoff Brandwood (Geoff.Brandwood@SpireBooks.com) is an expert in the Victorian period, and Chairman of the Victorian Society. He has published Temple Moore: an architect of the late Gothic Revival, and Bringing them to their knees: church-building and restoration in Leicestershire and Rutland, 1800-1914 and is currently researching nineteenth-century architectural Societies.

Trevor Cooper (Trevor.Cooper@SpireBooks.com) is a management consultant, and Chairman of Council of the Ecclesiological Society. His particular interest lies in medieval and post-Reformation parish churches, their architecture, furnishings and use. He has recently published The Journal of William Dowsing, dealing with Puritan iconoclasm in the 1640s.

Dr John Elliott (John.Elliott@SpireBooks.com) is an architectural historian, with a particular interest in nineteenth-century ecclesiastical architecture. As well as co-editing with Chris Webster the book on the Cambridge Camden Society, A Church as it Should be, he has co-edited George Edmund Street: a Victorian architect in Berkshire and Henry Woodyer: Gentleman Architect. He is currently working on a book on R.C.Carpenter, and has recently taken responsibility for updating the Berkshire Pevsner. He is editor of Ecclesiology Today, the periodical of the Ecclesiological Society.

Linda Hone (Linda.Hone@SpireBooks.com) has a background in marketing, and is responsible for ensuring that the people who want to buy our books, know about them. Her aim is to sell a high percentage of books within a few weeks of publication by carefully targeted marketing - something she achieved with previous publications with a different publisher. Linda's particular interest is Victorian architecture.

Chris Webster (Chris.Webster@SpireBooks.com) is an architectural historian. His particular interest in the early Gothic Revival and the development of the profession of architect in the nineteenth century. He is the author of a number of articles, and recently co-editor of a major series of essays on the early years of the Cambridge Camden Society, A Church as it Should Be. He is also responsible for R.D.Chantrell, Architect: His Life and Works in Leeds, which the Thoresby Society published in 1992.

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On The Choir Stalls at Amiens Cathedral

"... penetrating observations and fresh analysis call into question facts that have been considered as settled ... abundantly and richy illustrated."
(Translated from a review in, Bulletin de la Societe des Antiquaires de Picardie, 2005)

On Committed to the Cleansing Flame: The Development of Cremation in Nineteenth-Century England

"... a wealth of original drawings ... The book brings alive with drawings and architectural plans the birth of the cremation movement ... this book will provide a valuable reference."
(Paul Stubbs, 'Resurgam', The Journal of the British Cremation, Vol 48, No. 3, Autumn 2005)

On Mass & Parish in Late Medievel England: The Use of York

"The team of writers are obviously passionate, fascinated and deeply committed to their subject, and their enthusiasm shows."
"I would be most surprised if you were not to learn a great deal from this most engaging project."
(John Turnbull, New Directions, August 2005)

On The Georgian Parish Church

"This book is a must for anyone who enjoys architectre and building history."
(John Burton, The Georgian, Summer 2005)

On The Georgian Buildings of Bath

"... a landmark in the post-war studies of Georgian architecture"
(Peter Fane-Saunders, The Georgian, Summer 2005)

On Norman Garstin: Irishman & Newlyn Artist

"... an excellent insight into the artist's life and career."
"Dr Prkye is to be congratulated on this very informative volume."
(Maebh O'Regan, Irish Arts Review, Summer 2005)

On Gothic Architecture & Its Meanings

"... the most important contribution in years to the study of the Gothic Revival."
(Michael J. Lewis, Times Literary Supplement)

"This lavishly-illustrated little volume ... represents a useful contribution to understanding that most English of architectural styles, late Gothic."
(Diarmaid MacCullon, Journal of Ecclesiastical History)

On Ruskin and Architecture

"The essays that follow ... are exemplary cases of Ruskin's influence on specific architects."
(Robert Hewison, Times Literary Supplement).

On temples ... worthy of his presence

"Credit must be given to the Ecclesiological Society and Spire Books for assembling this valuable collection of primary sources which should be considered essential to any student of the ecclesiological movement."
"This collection of pamphlets ... are well produced and neatly arranged."
"The essays chosen offer a valuable insight into the theology behind the 'correct' way to build churches.
There is much enjoyment to be found in reading the detailed advice offered to all those engaged in the building, restoration or maintenance of churches"
(Charles Smith, The Victorian).

"These pamphlets ... have not been reprinted before, and each gives a vivid insight into the issues at stake at the beginning of one of the Church's periodic revolutions in worship and worship space."
(New Directions magazine, July 2004)

On 'Dearest Augustus & I', The Journal of Jane Pugin

"Jane's journal has been meticulously edited and annotated by Caroline Stanford, historian for the Landmark Trust."
(Jonathan Glancey, Guardian Unlimited Books, April 2004)

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