Asking “should I write what I love or write to market?” is the wrong question. The writing world has manufactured a false binary that’s keeping writers from building sustainable careers. It’s not about compromise. It’s about understanding what you genuinely love writing and finding readers who are hungry for exactly that. The market isn’t your enemy. Your passion isn’t a liability. Find where they meet. That’s the sweet spot.
Fire Your Cover Artist
Your indie book cover doesn’t need expensive custom artwork to compete with traditional publishers. After thirty years in graphic design, I’ve learned that bold typography often outperforms elaborate illustrations—especially at thumbnail size where most readers first see your book. Typography-focused covers are budget-friendly, easier to maintain across a series, and cut through the noise when someone’s scrolling Amazon on their phone. The trick isn’t slapping words on a background; it’s understanding hierarchy, color psychology, and genre conventions. Learn these principles, avoid amateur mistakes like font overload and poor contrast, and you can create professional covers yourself.
Characters Holding Novels They Appear In
Figured it would be fun to make images of characters holding copies of the books they appear in, so here goes—some of mine and some from books I like. These were all generated with DALL-E 3. Mary Anne O’Sullivan, The Widow’s Son Zarahemla Two Crows, A Fistful of Demons Sister Magdalena, The Spear of Destiny … Continue reading Characters Holding Novels They Appear In
Custom Book Trailer Services
Book trailers are an important, but often overlooked part of your marketing strategy. Book trailers can make a lasting impression, for good or for ill.
Book Cover Design Services
Your book cover has one job: make browsers stop scrolling and click “Buy Now.” Generic templates and amateur covers are invisible. You need professional design that captures your book’s essence and signals you’re worth their time. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years—simple or complex, realistic or abstract, any genre. Fast turnaround, competitive pricing, free consultation with mockup before you commit. Your cover isn’t decoration—it’s marketing. It’s a billboard for your author brand that needs to grab attention in thumbnail size, communicate genre instantly, and differentiate you from competition. In a crowded market, your cover is your competitive edge.
The Annex 