Look at that, three Cover Villain covers in the top 10 on Amazon.de! Huge shout out to @authorryderomalley.com and @trishheinrich.bsky.social for being awesome collaborators.
#booksky #mmromance #monsterromance
Want to beautify your books and not raise the production costs? It might be time to consider forced edges. Here's what they are and how to make them.
youtu.be/Ah_9rapQESU
#indieauthors #selfpub #writingcommunity
I’m available one-on-one for consulting work. Otherwise I would check out the academy.
I’d suggest checking out the Author Design Academy on the website. Free signup and that’s where I cover all things graphics for authors.
Depending on the color palette yes. If it's complimentary colors, you kind of know how the contrast will work. But when it gets into that fuzzy territory, I will flip to grayscale to make sure I'm not missing something. Also, letting your eyes blur a bit can help see where things are hidden.
I'm always going to default to value (myself included!) If the hero of the cover (whether it be a sword wielding maiden or manchest) doesn't stand out against the background, then it's a lost effort. The moment we ask our readers to squint and interpret the initial glance, I think we've lost them.
Authors have a split second to catch the attention of readers. It doesn't matter if it's on the shelf or browsing through Amazon, the design needs to jump off the shelf. You can achieve clarity through contrast. Here's how:
covervillain.com/contrast-cre...
#selfpub #indieauthors #writingcommunity
I heard authors asking about forced edges? What are they? Are they right for your books? What are the pros and cons? And of course, how can I do it? Well... I made a thing to answer all those questions. Feel free to share.
covervillain.com/understandin...
#indieauthors #writingcommunity #selfpub
The 2026 version of the Author Business Hub is now available. The one Notion dashboard to organize your author business. Now expanded to include translations and better backlist management.
covervillain.com/product/noti...
#indieauthors #selfpub #writingcommunity
We're talking about how to take flat spaces and give them depth. In a two-dimensional world, how do we make dynamic three-dimensional design? Only one way to find out...
covervillain.com/building-the...
💙📚 #selfpublished #indieauthor #writingcommunity
Want to level up the graphics on your marketing? Need a little help creating a book cover with high impact? The Author Design Academy is helping authors improve their graphics game in bi-monthly emails.
covervillain.com/pulling-shap...
💙📚 #bookcovers #indieauthors #authors #selfpub
Stock photo sites are a special kind of torture. If you’ve ever searched “man in suit” and felt your soul leave your body, I got you. Here are 5 tips for finding actually usable images on Depositphotos.
youtu.be/CaVdUnxboUg
#depositphotos #authors #writers #selfpub
The Author Design Academy Newsletter will teaches the fundamentals of design and provides tips for book covers, promotional graphics, and branding. This free bi-monthly newsletter is your gateway to leveling up your visuals.
covervillain.com/share/
#indieauthors #writingcommunity #authors #writers
Walk the Dot
It might come as no surprise that the next Element of Design is what some call a dot on a walk: the line. It’s not often that we put our pencil to paper and stop there. Dragging the graphite along the paper is how we’re taught to write. Throw in some extra loops and a mostly…
Get Straight to the Point
Powerful design is rooted in the basics. When we think of design, especially with something like covers, we’re often focused on a complicated final product. Does the heroine evoke a sense of power? Is the color scheme on trend? Do the fonts read as science fiction? Our…
Woot! Website exclusive novella just dropped. Of course as the King of Bear Romance, you can be assured that it's filled with burly men showing off their powers in and out of the bedroom.
authorryderomalley.com/product/temp...
#bearsky #gaysky #mmromance 💙📚
Wonder podcast with wonderful hosts. Should be required listening for indie authors. Check them out!
Your color choices might be working against you. This week in the Author Design Academy, we’re diving deeper into color theory, what harmony really means, when to play it safe, and when to break the rules.
#authors #writers #writingcommunity
covervillain.com/color-theory...
New article from the Author Design Academy coming tomorrow. One step closer to conquering your visual branding. If you haven't signed up, link is at www.covervillain.com.
#author #writingcommunity
It might very well be the biggest thing to happen in the world of color theory since it became acceptable to wear black shoes with brown pants!
There are a million factors from change in eyes to screen resolution. I see Gold & White on my cell phone but Black and Blue on every other monitor. It makes me think I'm going a little crazy.
Since I've been discussing color with the Author Design Academy, I want to revisit the image that wrecked the internet a decade ago. You know how to play... what colors are you seeing?
#writingcommunity #indieauthors #selfpublishing
Everything You Know About Color is Wrong
To become better designers, we need to start with the fundamentals. We refer to these building blocks as the Elements of Design (EoD), and they exist in every composition. The first, and I’ll argue till I’m blue in the face, most important, is color. Pun…
Leather. Bourbon. Vanilla. Sandalwood. Cedar.
Let's emphasize the leather.
Designers have a lot of technical lingo. Not knowing it can cause anxiety for authors when communicating. I'm here to debunk the language of design and how we use it. Yes, it even mentions licking books.
covervillain.com/how-to-speak...
#amwriting #writingcommunity #indieauthor #authors
Another email from Author Design Academy comes out Tuesday. This week we focus on lowering that anxiety when talking with a designer. After that, we'll jump in to building awareness around the principles of design! Can sign up at www.covervillain.com
#indieauthor #author #writers #writingcommunity
Interested in expanding your knowledge in design? Seeing how designers work with authors? Learning new tools to help your brand? Check out the Author Design Academy. Next email goes out Tuesday.
covervillain.com
#amwriting #indieauthor #writingcommunity #authors
Another cover for @authorryderomalley.com's Grunts of Vanguard Series. Office Romance. Superheroes. A whole lot of snark. Oh, and somewhere in there they save the world.
#bookcover #newrelease #bookcoverdesign #coverreveal #mmromance #romance #amwriting #indieauthor
Authors, thanks for the kick in the pants. Happy to get the introduction out of the way so we can dig into practical design advice! If you want to up your design game, check it out, signup is at the bottom.
covervillain.com/how-to-see-l...
#indieauthors #authors #graphicdesign #writingcommunity
Haunting and one of the most iconic book covers today. Great Gatsby developed a symbiotic relationship with Celestial Eyes painted by artist, Francis Cugat. A wonderful deep dive into both works.
news.artnet.com/art-world/de...
#coverdesign #art #bookcover #indieauthors
