They told you never to judge a book by its cover. They lied.

Do you know why my covers resonate with readers? My book covers are built around one principle: evoke before you explain. I aim to write character-led commercial thrillers or more broadly: mass-market fiction. Mycovers are designed with specific characteristics that make them instantly recognizable and appealing to a broad readership. Each of my designs aims to capture the emotional atmosphere of the book, the rhythm of the narrative, and the tension or tone that defines the experience inside. Whether I’m designing for myself or for clients, I bring a layered visual language that tells a story before the first page is turned.

Here’s why my covers work:

• Genre awareness – I study market trends and reader expectations, ensuring your book stands out and fits in.

• Visual symbolism – I don’t just decorate; I illustrate your book’s message with metaphor and meaning.

• Detail obsession – Typography, balance, contrast, mood—nothing is accidental.

• Author empathy – As a writer myself, I understand your emotional investment and creative vision.

My goal isn’t just to make your book beautiful. It’s to make your book unforgettable.

Book Cover Design: Why First Impressions Matter

J U N E 2 0 2 5

Custom book interior layout designed by Okang’a Ooko

eBook Covers & 3D Mockups That Sell

At the start of summer, I found myself at the right place at the right time—The Strand Bookstore in downtown Houston. A small, mixed group of teens had gathered around the shelf where my novels sat. Two Black youths, three Hispanic kids, and a couple of white teens—laughing, browsing, lingering. One was holding a copy of Hunter and Gatherer, turning it over, examining the back cover. Another—an observant girl—was flipping through When You Sing to the Fishes.

She paused, smiled, and said aloud, “The cover is mind-blowing.”

“Yeah,” another replied, “I reckon the stories inside are as good as the covers.”

“I’ll buy these two,” a third chimed in. “They’re definitely African... but they look good. I mean, the covers.”

“Goodies from the motherland,” said a tall, gangly Black kid with a grin. He leaned in, running his fingers across the jacket. “The covers are so… so… reminds me of Eric Jerome Dickey. Or Grisham. Or...”

He didn’t finish the sentence—but he didn’t have to. He was poring through Hunter and Gatherer.

The silence that followed said it all. They felt it. The pull. The pride. The unexpected connection.

In that moment, a smile crept on my face and my heart warmed up with gladness. I didn’t need a bestseller list or a five-star review. Just that group of curious young readers, in the middle of a Houston bookstore, seeing themselves in stories—and being drawn in by design. That’s why I write. That’s why I design. To make stories that call to people—and covers that catch them first.

In today’s saturated book market—on bookstore shelves or Amazon thumbnails—your cover is your first and sometimes only chance to grab a reader’s attention. A well-designed cover is more than eye candy—it’s your story’s visual handshake. It instantly communicates your genre, your tone, your message—and whether your book is worth the reader’s time.

As an author myself, I’ve designed covers for my own novels—Hunter and Gatherer, The New Girl In Mombasa, Wayward Eastlanders, and others—and I’ve seen firsthand how the right cover makes all the difference. My covers don’t just sit quietly; they pull people in, invite questions, and start conversations. Readers often tell me they were drawn to my books before reading a single word—because the cover spoke to them.

This is the power of a well-crafted, intentional design. And this is what I now offer to you.

Why Your Book Cover Matters More Than Ever

We’re living in the most exciting—and the most competitive—era of publishing. Anyone with a story and internet access can publish a book today. That’s the beauty of the indie movement. But with that freedom comes a reality too many authors underestimate:

Readers judge books by their covers. Instantly. Subconsciously. And relentlessly.

Your book cover is no longer just decoration—it’s your first and most powerful marketing tool. In a marketplace flooded with millions of titles, a compelling, professionally designed cover isn’t optional. It’s your lifeline.

The Saturated Shelf: Digital or Physical

Whether a reader is browsing a local bookstore or scrolling through Amazon, they are making decisions in seconds—based purely on what they see. If your cover lacks visual appeal, genre clarity, or polish, they won’t give your blurb or sample chapter a chance.

And here’s the hard truth:
Amateur covers make books look self-published in the worst possible way.

By “self-published” here, I don’t mean indie in spirit—I mean rushed, unrefined, and unprofessional. Poor font choices, low-resolution images, awkward layouts, or design templates used without understanding the principles of typography, contrast, and composition—these things signal inexperience to readers, agents, and reviewers.

Why Indie Authors Must Be Especially Vigilant

Traditional publishers have entire design departments behind every book release. Their covers are built to sell—to convey genre at a glance, to stand out on shelves, to perform well in ads, and to align with reader expectations.

As an indie author or small press, you don’t have the same backing. Your cover is your pitch. And that’s why it needs to be sharper, smarter, and more intentional than ever.

A professionally designed cover can:

• Help your book compete with traditionally published titles

• Increase your chances of being featured or reviewed

• Improve sales, clicks, and downloads

• Build trust with your audience

• Position you as a serious author in your genre

Your Cover Shouldn’t Look Like a DIY Project

Even if your story is brilliant, a poorly designed cover can sabotage your credibility before a single word is read. Readers won't take a chance on a book that looks like it was thrown together in Canva without design expertise. They expect quality—especially when they’re paying for it.

As a book designer and author myself, I’ve learned that good design doesn’t just enhance a story—it gives it a fighting chance. I’ve seen how the right cover draws readers in, opens doors to bookstores, catches the eye of agents, and builds a lasting brand for an author.

There’s no shortage of quick-fix design tools and “Canva clones” out there promising fast book covers. But fast doesn’t mean good. Many of those covers end up looking flat, generic, and amateurish—exactly what makes a book look self-published.

When you work with me, you’re not getting a cookie-cutter template. You’re getting Photoshop-level craftsmanship, genre-aware design, and the trained eye of a professional who understands storytelling, publishing, and visual communication.

You’ll get a stunning, genre-specific cover that you’re proud to put your name on—without the stress of navigating it alone or paying overpriced agency rates.

This is handcrafted design, built to sell your story at first glance.

Invest in a Cover That Works as Hard as You Did

You’ve poured your heart into writing your book. Don’t let a weak cover keep it from reaching its audience. A good cover is not just about aesthetics—it’s about communication, clarity, and conversion. It tells the reader, “This book is worth your time.”

So the question isn’t whether you can afford professional cover design.
It’s whether you can afford not to.

Affordable Pricing. No-Nonsense Process. Guaranteed Quality

Publishing your book shouldn’t feel overwhelming. My process is designed to make custom cover design easy, personal, and effective—whether it’s your debut or your tenth release.

How My Cover Design Process Works

1. Build Your Project
   Select your trim size, binding style, paper type, and other specs. I’ll guide you if you’re unsure.

2. Design Brief Questionnaire
   I’ll send a quick form so you can share your ideas, mood, and vision for the cover. You can request image sourcing or upload your own.

3. Initial Concept & Proofs
   I’ll create a custom concept and send you the design for review. One revision round is included, and I work closely with your feedback.

4. Final Files Delivered
   You’ll receive high-resolution, print-ready and digital files, formatted for KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu, or your preferred platform.

5. Optional Add-ons
   Marketing mockups, banner graphics, and other promo visuals available upon request.

My Promise to You

If you’re not satisfied with the design proofs and choose to cancel the project before final approval, I’ll refund your deposit—no questions asked. My work is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, because I stand behind every cover I design.

Let’s Create a Cover That Draws Readers In

You've written something meaningful. Now let’s wrap it in something magnetic.

I offer custom cover design for both print and digital formats. No templates. No shortcuts. Every project is a collaboration between your story and my vision as a designer.

Services Include:

• Custom front cover (no stock templates)

• Back cover and spine layout for print

• ISBN and barcode integration

• Genre-specific typography and imagery

• High-resolution print-ready PDF files

• Web-optimized eBook cover files (Kindle, Kobo, Nook, etc.)

• Optional 3D mockups for marketing and promotions

• One round of revisions included

Cover Design That Speaks Before the Book Is Opened

Designing a cover is a balance of emotion, market intelligence, and visual storytelling. I design with both the reader and the retailer in mind—ensuring your cover works as both a literary symbol and a sales tool.

Whether you’re publishing:

• A powerful memoir

• A heartwarming children’s book

• A thought-provoking novel

• A visually rich cookbook or art book

I’ll design a cover that meets the standards of today’s platforms while delivering timeless impact.

Your book doesn’t stop at print—and neither do I. As part of your cover design package, I provide high-resolution eBook cover files optimized for all major digital platforms, including:

• Kindle (KDP)

• Apple Books

• Kobo

• Nook

• Google Play Books

• Draft2Digital and more

Each file is carefully formatted to meet the specific size, resolution, and compression standards required by digital retailers—so your cover looks sharp and professional on any screen, from smartphones to tablets to e-readers.

Want to promote your book on social media, your website, or in your newsletter? I also offer custom 3D book mockups that showcase your cover in dynamic, photorealistic settings:

• Standing paperback mockups

• Open book spread previews

• eBook on tablet/phone screens

• Stacked book promo visuals

• Lifestyle and flat-lay compositions

These mockups make it easy to market your book with visual confidence, whether you’re running ads, posting on Instagram, or pitching to reviewers.

Optional Add-On: Realistic 3D Mockups