Reliable Book Quest was founded in 2012 in the heart of Québec City by a small group of literary professionals who shared a common frustration: too many talented writers were struggling to find affordable, high-quality support for their book projects. The publishing landscape was shifting rapidly, and authors needed a partner who could bridge the gap between traditional publishing expertise and the emerging possibilities of independent and digital publishing.
What started as a two-person editing studio in a converted loft on Rue Saint-Jean has grown into a full-service literary consultancy serving hundreds of clients each year. Our founders — Élise Moreau, a former senior editor at a major Canadian publishing house, and James Whitfield, an award-winning book designer — brought complementary skills and a shared vision of making professional book services accessible to every writer, regardless of their budget or experience level.
Over the past decade, we have helped launch more than 400 published titles across genres ranging from literary fiction and memoir to academic textbooks and children's picture books. Each project has reinforced our belief that every story deserves to be told well, and that the right editorial and design support can make the difference between a good book and a great one.
Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to empower every author with the tools, guidance, and professional support they need to bring their book from concept to completion. We believe that the literary world is richer when diverse voices are heard, and we are committed to lowering the barriers that prevent talented writers from sharing their stories with the world.
We hold ourselves to the highest editorial and design standards. Every comma, every margin, every colour choice is intentional. We treat your manuscript with the same care we would give our own work, because mediocrity has no place in a book that carries your name.
Your voice is the soul of your book. Our role is to enhance and refine, never to overwrite or impose. We listen carefully to your goals, respect your creative vision, and tailor our process to serve your unique needs as a writer.
We provide clear timelines, honest assessments, and straightforward pricing. There are no hidden fees, no vague promises, and no surprises. When we commit to a deadline or a deliverable, we honour that commitment without exception.
Great stories come from every community and background. We actively seek to work with writers from underrepresented groups and offer flexible pricing structures to ensure our services remain accessible to emerging authors at every stage of their career.
Behind every successful book project is a team of dedicated professionals. Our staff brings a combined seventy years of experience in editing, design, publishing, and literary coaching. Here are some of the key people you will work with when you choose Reliable Book Quest.
Co-founder and editorial director
With over 25 years in Canadian publishing, Élise oversees all editorial operations and personally mentors emerging editors on the team. She specialises in literary fiction and creative non-fiction.
Co-founder and creative director
James leads our design team and has created covers and interiors for over 300 published titles. His work has been recognised by the Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada.
Senior editor
Priya brings sharp analytical skills and deep genre knowledge to every project. She specialises in young adult fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, and has edited several nationally bestselling titles.
From a small startup to one of Quebec's most respected literary services firms, here are some of the milestones that have shaped who we are today.
Élise and James open a small editing studio in Québec City's historic Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhood, offering manuscript editing and basic book design services to local authors.
After three years of steady growth and word-of-mouth referrals, we hire our first full-time staff members and begin offering publishing consultation services to help authors navigate both traditional and self-publishing pathways.
We celebrate a major milestone as the two-hundredth title we have worked on reaches publication. Our client base now extends across all ten Canadian provinces and into the United States and Europe.
In response to the global shift toward remote work, we launch our fully digital workflow platform, enabling seamless collaboration with authors anywhere in the world. We also introduce e-book formatting and audiobook production consultation to our service lineup.
With over 400 published titles under our belt and a growing team of twelve professionals, we continue to invest in new technologies, mentorship programmes, and community outreach to support the next generation of Canadian authors.