Articles

Design · Production · Article | 04.01.25 The Case for Beautiful Books
by Deb Vanasse

A publisher’s trade is in words. Or is it? When readers pick up a book, they’re...

Design · Production · Article | 08.02.24 The Picture Book Blueprint: Strategies from Top Creators
by Alexa Schlosser

Creating a picture book is a unique and rewarding journey that blends storytelling with visual...

Production · Article | 08.02.24 The Art and Science of Picture Book Making
by Michele McAvoy

There is an art and a science to publishing picture books. I truly believe, as a picture book...

Design · Article | 06.03.24 Made You Look: 5 Keys to Successful Book Cover Design
by JuLee Brand

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” ―George Eliot I guarantee that, in 1860,...

Design · Article | 06.03.24 A Road Map for Onboarding AI and Three Use Cases for Designers
by Torrey Sharp

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t coming. It’s here. Every day we hear of new...

Design · Marketing & Publicity · Article | 06.03.24 Beyond the Words: The Impact of a Brand Style Guide
by Deb Vanasse

As humans, we’re hard-wired for recognition. By recognizing patterns and differences,...

Production · Article | 12.13.23 The Journey of Really Big Coloring Books®
by Alexa Schlosser

In a world driven by innovation and adaptability, stories of entrepreneurial spirit often stand...

Design · Article | 12.13.23 Avoiding Design Pitfalls: Lessons from a Bad Book Cover
by Cathi Stevenson

I’ll start this article with a caveat. One of the best things about being an independent...

Design · Article | 10.12.23 Does Your Publishing Company Have a Brand Identity?
by Louis Force Torres

In the inundated new book market we live in today, a single book or series needs to have an...

Production · Article | 06.06.23 The Wonderful World of Small Batch Special Editions
by Louis Force Torres

A client approached me in 2022 with a box of novels under their arm. The books were her...

Design · Article | 04.05.23 7 Things You Can Do to Make Your Web Content Accessible for Everyone
by Jeff Adams and Michele Lucchini

With more than one-fourth of the US population living with some form of disability, it’s...

Design · Article | 11.01.22 Judge a Book by its Cover
by Carol Van Den Hende

When we consider storytelling, we usually think of the written or spoken words that make up the...

Design · Article | 09.01.21 Indie Excellence via Publishing Industry Standards
by Stephanie Carter

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 Stephanie Carter, Founder & Publisher, Teleion Books--...

Design · Article | 03.01.21 Reducing Bookseller Bias
by Amanda Gawthorpe

PUBLISHED MARCH/APRIL 2021 by Amanda Gawthorpe, Senior Editor, Blue Ink Press -- Amanda...

Design · Article | 06.30.19 The Book Design Process Is a Team Sport
by Torrey Sharp

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2019 by Torrey Sharp, Principal, Faceout Studio -- Torrey...

Design · Article | 06.30.19 Text Only Book Covers
by Cathi Stevenson

PUBLISHED JULY/AUGUST 2019 by Cathi Stevenson, Owner, Book Cover Express -- Cathi...

Design · Article | 05.01.18 Do-Overs: Rebranding and Repackaging
by Deb Vanasse

PUBLISHED MAY/JUNE 2018 by Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent magazine -- Deb...

Design · Article | 05.01.18 Book Cover Design Showdowns
by Kristin Fields

PUBLISHED MAY/JUNE 2018 by Kristin Fields, Associate Editor, IBPA Independent magazine...

Design · Article | 05.01.18 Before You Approve That Cover Design
by Cathi Stevenson

PUBLISHED MAY/JUNE 2018 by Cathi Stevenson, Owner, Book Cover Express -- Cathi...

Design · Article | 05.01.18 Cover Design Case Study: Kurt Kamm, One Foot in the Black
by Jeniffer Thompson

PUBLISHED MAY/JUNE 2018 by Jeniffer Thompson, Founder and President, Monkey C Media -- ...

Design · Article | 07.01.17 Redesigning with the Times: The Backyard Orchardist
by Stella Ottom

PUBLISHED JULY 2017 by Stella Otto, Author/Publisher, The Backyard Orchardist Stella...

Design · Article | 07.01.17 Top 10 Fonts for Book Covers and Interior Design
by Joel Friedlander

PUBLISHED JULY 2017 by Joel Friedlander, Book Designer, Blogger, and Writer Watch Joshua...

Design · Article | 07.01.17 How to Work with a Book Designer
by Deb Vanasse

PUBLISHED JULY 2017 By Deb Vanasse, Reporter, IBPA Independent - Deb Vanasse To...

Design · Marketing & Publicity · Article | 06.01.17 Success Is in the Details
by Ebonye Gussine Wilkins

PUBLISHED JUNE 2017 by Ebonye Gussine Wilkins, Founder, August Rose Press Ebonye...

Design · Article | 12.01.16 Look Like a Pro - A collection of viewpoints on the critical yet challenging topic of book design.
by Alexa Schlosser

Meet the Panelists In terms of design—cover, layout, and other design...

Design · Article | 10.01.16 Win By Design
by Deb Vanasse

Independent book publishers know that, despite the familiar expression, books are judged by...

Design · Article | 10.08.15 A Designer’s Take on Cover Design
by Lon Kirschner

Independent publishers do not have deep pockets, and for some designers, that can be a...

Design · Article | 04.01.99 The Cover Artist/Illustrator Contract
by Ivan Hoffman

In what appears to be a frequently occurring situation, publishers seem to pay cover...