The authors' books covers below represent just some of the many publications I was privileged to help bring to life during my years operating Love of Books. As Julie McGregor, I worked personally with authors throughout Australia, helping them transform manuscripts, memories, ideas and lifelong dreams into professionally produced books.

Many of the writers who came to me were first-time authors with little or no previous experience of the publishing process. I believed that authors deserved time, patience, honest advice and genuine support. I did not charge authors simply for seeking my advice, asking questions or needing guidance. Authors paid for the publishing services and products they chose, while the personal assistance and support I provided were an important part of how I worked.

For me, publishing was always about people as much as it was about books. I spent many hours working personally with authors, whether meeting with them in my office or, when circumstances called for it, visiting them in their own homes. I listened to their stories, discussed their manuscripts and publishing goals, answered their questions and helped them understand the steps involved in bringing a book into the world. Caring for and helping people has always been close to my heart, and it naturally became part of how I supported authors.

Over the years, many professional relationships developed into lasting friendships. The appreciation shown by authors through their kind words, testimonials, referrals and continued trust meant an enormous amount to me. Seeing an author hold their finished book for the first time, particularly when it represented the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, was one of the greatest rewards of my publishing career.

The books featured on this page include some of the earlier titles from what would ultimately become more than 1,700 books created with authors across Australia. Every cover represents an author, a manuscript and a story that mattered.

I remain immensely proud of the work I accomplished through Love of Books and deeply grateful to the many Australian authors who trusted Julie McGregor to help them along their publishing journey.

Joyce Livingstone lived in a very remote town. With limited computer skills, I assisted her in publishing six children's book titles for her grandchildren. Admittedly, much of our correspondence was completed through Australia Post. She would phone me, filled with excitement, upon receiving her new books, which featured her lovely little stories and all her own full-colour hand-drawn illustrations.