Designing Choosing the Future raised an unusual publishing question: should a business novel be categorized as fiction or business? This case study explores book positioning, KDP categories, subtitle refinement, and balancing professional credibility with storytelling.

A behind-the-scenes look at how I designed the book cover for Steve Perron's memoir — from the first conversation to the final layout. Includes comp research, stock image searching, typography choices, and what the author had to say about the process.

To gain perspective, I created a PDF showing all four covers and shared it with friends and colleagues. Over lunch with two retired friends, both immediately favored the fourth option—San Pablo Pier—describing it as more distinctive and visually interesting than typical photography book covers.

What does it really take to help a first-time author self-publish a niche book? From fixing awkward layouts to strengthening cover design and maximizing those final pages, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at coaching a friend through the process.

A behind-the-scenes look at how an AI-generated book cover moved from concept to print—revealing common pitfalls with resolution, sizing, and production.

A strong business book cover does more than look professional — it instantly communicates the book’s message and builds credibility. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the design process for The Control Catastrophe and how strategic typography, imagery, and layout helped create a compelling business book.

A behind-the-scenes look at the design process for Just A Long Walk, a memoir by first-time author James Gibson. From selecting the perfect cover image to creating balanced typography, this case study explores how thoughtful book design helped shape an award-winning memoir cover.

A behind-the-scenes look at designing four self-published memoirs — from cover concept to print. Discover the design choices, challenges, and personal stories that shaped each book.

What begins as a first-time publishing project quickly becomes a collaborative journey in editing, design, technology, and problem-solving. In this case study, discover how a team of educators transformed an unedited manuscript into a polished curriculum book for middle-school teachers—complete with a stronger title, engaging cover design, and fixed-layout ePub solution for Amazon.

A simple pocket-sized prayer book became one of the most memorable projects of my career. From paper selections and gold-foil stamping to spot-raised UV and soft-touch laminate, every detail was carefully considered to create a keepsake worthy of its purpose. This case study shares the design journey behind The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order and the collaborative effort that made it a conference success.

Creating a children’s book is a team effort. In this case study, author Jon Ferry, illustrator Caroline Zina, and book designer Peggy Nehmen worked together to bring Across the Battlefield: A Pawn’s Journey to life. From choosing the book size and coordinating illustrations to designing the cover and preparing files for print-on-demand publishing, every decision required collaboration, communication, and attention to detail.

First-time author Charles J. Pearson shares what he learned about the book design process—from evaluating cover concepts to testing designs with readers. This collaborative project demonstrates how research, feedback, and partnership can lead to a stronger book cover and a better reader experience.