Creating special edition books shouldnāt require a design degree. With the Forced Edge Generator, transform your edge artwork into print-ready files in seconds. Perfect for indie authors looking to elevate their game. Check it out.
#bookdesign #indieauthor #selfpublishing
When creating design, how do we decide what's most important? How is that relayed to the viewer? This is how to use hierarchy to create compelling cover designs.
covervillain.com/the-most-imp...
#indieauthors #selfpub #graphicdesign #coverdesign
Need a dystopian story with a revolution? These characters won't take no for an answer. They're going to do everything in their power to right a world that wronged them.
Currently Free on Amazon
amzn.to/4vkCL6M
#scifireaders #superhero #dystopian #scifireads #freebooks
Looking how to use Vellum for Forced Edges?
I made a quick step-by-step video.
youtu.be/jBKrKI3ofXg?...
If you prefer photos or written tutorials, I did those as well.
covervillain.com/forced-edges...
#indieauthors #selfpublished #bookcovers
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
Iām available one-on-one for consulting work. Otherwise I would check out the academy.
Iād suggest checking out the Author Design Academy on the website. Free signup and thatās 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...
šš #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...
šš #bookcovers #indieauthors #authors #selfpub
Stock photo sites are a special kind of torture. If youāve ever searched āman in suitā 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. Itās not often that we put our pencil to paper and stop there. Dragging the graphite along the paper is how weāre taught to write. Throw in some extra loops and a mostlyā¦
Get Straight to theĀ Point
Powerful design is rooted in the basics. When we think of design, especially with something like covers, weāre 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? Ourā¦
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 šš
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, weāre 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 isĀ 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 Iāll argue till Iām blue in the face, most important, is color. Punā¦
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