Roger VanderKolk

Contact

Publishing Studio

Explore Roger’s books, Blauw Shack projects, and ways to collaborate on thoughtful publishing.

A close-up, photographic view of a tidy workspace featuring a manuscript in progress: a stack of crisp white pages neatly clipped together, a high-quality black fountain pen resting across the top, and a pair of reading glasses folded beside it. The papers sit on a smooth dark-wood desk, with a blurred background of a computer monitor showing a subtle grid of project thumbnails representing different book covers and media projects, all without readable text. Soft, diffused morning light from the left creates gentle reflections on the pen and faint shadows under the pages. Shot from a slightly elevated angle with shallow depth of field, the mood is focused, professional, and quietly optimistic, ideal for illustrating an author’s current projects page.
A clean, modern writing desk in a quiet home office, topped with a sleek laptop displaying a minimalist homepage layout for an author-publisher. Around it, neatly stacked hardcovers and trade paperbacks with abstract, text-less covers in deep blues and warm neutrals suggest a portfolio of published works. A ceramic mug, a fountain pen, and a small notebook add subtle detail. Soft afternoon light filters through an unseen window, casting warm, gentle shadows across the wooden surface. Photographic realism at eye level, with a shallow depth of field that keeps the desk in sharp focus while the background bookshelf blurs into a calm, inviting haze, creating a professional yet approachable atmosphere for a personal author site.

Services

Roger offers select consulting for authors and small presses, from shaping book concepts to navigating independent publishing. Expect candid feedback, practical next steps, and a partner who understands both the creative process and the realities of bringing books to market.

View details

Praise

An elegant wooden bookshelf wall filled with uniformly spaced books whose spines show only geometric patterns and color blocks in shades of navy, teal, and cream, subtly hinting at a curated catalog from an independent media imprint. At the center, a single open book lies on a narrow display ledge, its pages blank but beautifully lit, symbolizing new projects in progress. Warm directional spotlights from above create gentle pools of light and soft shadows between shelves. Photographic realism with a straight-on composition, emphasizing order and professionalism, while a slightly blurred reading chair and side table in the foreground add depth and a welcoming, lived-in warmth suitable for an author-publisher’s homepage hero image.

Hope D.

Roger brings an editor’s eye and a publisher’s pragmatism—our manuscript is stronger in every way.

A close-up, photographic view of a tidy workspace featuring a manuscript in progress: a stack of crisp white pages neatly clipped together, a high-quality black fountain pen resting across the top, and a pair of reading glasses folded beside it. The papers sit on a smooth dark-wood desk, with a blurred background of a computer monitor showing a subtle grid of project thumbnails representing different book covers and media projects, all without readable text. Soft, diffused morning light from the left creates gentle reflections on the pen and faint shadows under the pages. Shot from a slightly elevated angle with shallow depth of field, the mood is focused, professional, and quietly optimistic, ideal for illustrating an author’s current projects page.

Hope D.

Working with Roger felt collaborative and grounded; he listened first, then offered clear, actionable guidance.

A clean, modern writing desk in a quiet home office, topped with a sleek laptop displaying a minimalist homepage layout for an author-publisher. Around it, neatly stacked hardcovers and trade paperbacks with abstract, text-less covers in deep blues and warm neutrals suggest a portfolio of published works. A ceramic mug, a fountain pen, and a small notebook add subtle detail. Soft afternoon light filters through an unseen window, casting warm, gentle shadows across the wooden surface. Photographic realism at eye level, with a shallow depth of field that keeps the desk in sharp focus while the background bookshelf blurs into a calm, inviting haze, creating a professional yet approachable atmosphere for a personal author site.

Hope D.

Roger helped us navigate indie publishing without losing sight of craft, readers, or long-term vision.

An elegant wooden bookshelf wall filled with uniformly spaced books whose spines show only geometric patterns and color blocks in shades of navy, teal, and cream, subtly hinting at a curated catalog from an independent media imprint. At the center, a single open book lies on a narrow display ledge, its pages blank but beautifully lit, symbolizing new projects in progress. Warm directional spotlights from above create gentle pools of light and soft shadows between shelves. Photographic realism with a straight-on composition, emphasizing order and professionalism, while a slightly blurred reading chair and side table in the foreground add depth and a welcoming, lived-in warmth suitable for an author-publisher’s homepage hero image.

Hope D.

As a new author, I left every conversation with Roger more confident, informed, and eager to keep writing.

Engagements

Story Start

Consulting engagements typically begin with a focused manuscript or strategy review package in the $500–$1,200 range, with ongoing advisory retainers and deeper publishing support scoped and priced based on project complexity and timeline.

Start conversation

✓ Manuscripts

✓ Coaching

✓ Strategy

✓ Mentoring

Full Launch

For publishing support through Blauw Shack Media, collaborative projects are usually structured as custom packages, ranging from basic launch guidance for emerging authors to full editorial and production partnerships, with fees and royalty structures tailored to the scale and goals of each book.

Request proposal

✓ Production

✓ Marketing

✓ Platforms

✓ Partnerships