Helen Elward
Publishing and Creative Director
Helen is an experienced academic, university lecturer, teacher, and administrator, took on the new world of self-publishing to produce a biography of Rugby League immortal Graeme Langlands MBE. The book became an immediate success, winning critical acclaim and impressive bookstore sales of 4000 in its launch month. Helen followed this success with three other highly acclaimed books and in the process became an expert in the process of self-publication.
Seeing a need in the market to help others to successfully fulfill their own goals, she founded Best Legenz and has assisted hundreds of authors through the demanding process of authorship, editing, design, printing and promotion based on her own hard-won knowledge and invaluable experiences. She helps both beginning and experienced authors to bypass the established printing houses, with their limitations and demands, and empowers them to take control of their own creations.
Helen’s strong perfectionist streak saw her retrain as a graphic designer and she produces work of a highly professional standard. With her training as an educator, she supports writers through their initial challenges and assists them to develop their proficiency as accomplished creators and communicators, proud of their final product and well-equipped to continue in their new career.
What business principles does she hold dear? “I always aim to treat others in the same way I’d expect to be treated. For me, that means maintaining honesty and integrity in all dealings in whatever project or business I’m involved. At the heart of that is my deep caring for humanity and my wish to be of service to others.”
Helen’s longstanding record of achievement began in academia, including nomination for history student of the year at university, a national award for excellence in teaching and head of department. True to form as a high achiever, sports lover Helen gained coaching certificates in soccer and basketball. Other passions include her love of music and an enthusiasm for overseas travel. Above all, though, Helen is a people person and loves to communicate her knowledge and experiences to help others shine and achieve their personal best. Helen has been happily married to her husband Chris for over 40 years.

Bernice Kesbah
Distribution and Marketing Director
For the past four years Bernice Kesbah has worked tirelessly and extremely successfully with Best Legenz’ clients to ensure that their books are available in good bookstores around Australia and New Zealand. She has helped clients prepare meaningful documents to arouse the interest of distributors.
Our distributors are industry professionals, with over 130 years combined experience in the field. Bernice has regular meetings with them to discuss, analyse and pass on their advice about all aspects of the book that will generate more sales and hence profit for our clients. This guidance takes the book to the highest level of industry standards.
Bernice is also Best Legenz Marketing Director. It’s almost as though she ‘waves a magic wand’ to organise for the books to be reviewed in all of the relevant publications, and arrange radio and television interviews for our clients. Most of our clients have absolutely no media profile but once Bernice takes control they find themselves appearing on nationwide television promoting their books.
Bernice is an award-winning artist, with an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts, and is interested in further developing her talents as a book illustrator. She is the proud mother of two children both very talented in the sporting arena and dedicated students.
Bernice is passionate about encouraging authors. “I enjoy helping new authors to proudly and confidently promote their book and receive just financial recognition and public acclaim.”

Janice Hogg
Editorial Director
Janice found her calling early in life as a voracious reader of books, magazines, newspapers, peanut butter labels and whatever else was to hand. University studies majoring in English literature followed by a journalism qualification were natural next steps.
From producing scientific and environmental publications in New Zealand, Janice made the leap to computer magazines in Sydney for Australia’s largest magazine publisher. From there, she landed at a small client publishing house specialising in airline and lifestyle titles.
Following her goal to become a freelance editor, Janice has had a hand in polishing the pages on many of Australia’s top magazine titles from Vogue Australia and Vogue Living, Belle, Country Style, Better Homes and Gardens to Good Taste and Healthy Food Guide, to name a few.
Janice fulfilled an ambition to extend into book editing with Best Legenz’s Helen Elward. Janice delights in assisting authors on a one-to-one basis to make their books shine and sharing her knowledge on how best to express their ideas. “Working with Helen has been a dream,” says Janice. “Her commitment to crafting a professional quality result matches my own and I’m extremely proud of the books I have helped produce with Best Legenz.”