Give Your Book the Big Five Look
Get professional covers and interiors that rival major publishers—without the big budget.
Your Story Deserves the Best Presentation
You've poured your heart into writing your book. Now it's time to give it the polished, professional look it deserves. In a crowded market, design is one of the first things a reader judges a book by — and it's one of the few parts of the process you can fully control.
Why Professional Design Matters
First impressions count, especially in publishing. A well-designed book:
Catches the eye of potential readers
Builds trust in your professionalism
Communicates genre and tone instantly
Stands out on physical and digital shelves
But achieving that professional look doesn't mean breaking the bank. That's where I come in.
Two Decades of Knowing What Works
With over twenty years in book design, I know what actually works — not just what looks good in a mockup. Here's what that looks like on your book:
Color palettes chosen carefully to evoke the right emotions
Typography that enhances your book's theme
Images and text balanced for maximum impact
Readability across print and digital formats
I bring the same level of craft to every project, whether it's a debut novel or a tenth book from an established author. Your book will be designed to hold its own next to traditionally published titles on the same shelf.
More Than Just a Pretty Cover
My design process goes beyond aesthetics. I dive deep into your book's content, target audience, and genre expectations to create a package that truly represents your work.
From the cover that grabs attention to the interior layout that keeps readers engaged, I work to make every element feel like part of the same book — not a cover glued onto an unrelated interior.
Ready to Get Started?
Your story deserves design that matches the work you put into writing it. Let's work together to create a book that looks as good as it reads — in print, digital, or both.
Love From My Clients
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“I am blessed by your willingness to put so much of yourself into my books. Thank you for making this cover everything I dreamed.”
Christina M. Abt
Crown Hill: 10th Anniversary Ed. -
“I absolutely love everything you have done. The font you chose, every detail. Love it. I hope my writing deserves to look this good!”
Clarissa McNair
Prosecco is the Answer -
“Well done. This is one sharp looking book cover! The finished product is spectacular. It's perhaps my favorite of them all.”
J. Lee
The Reluctant Reckoner -
“Book designer Daniel J. Middleton at Scribe Freelance also deserves a salute for his next-level, grand slam cover that has attracted so much attention.”
Mark Damon Puckett
The Nihilistics -
“Special thanks to our editor, Daniel J. Middleton, for providing a fresh perspective to make the story clearer for the reader and free from errors.”
Mark Haertzen
Stay Thirsty
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FAQs
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No, you don't need an ISBN to begin the design process. You can purchase your ISBN during the book design phase. Once you obtain the ISBN for the print version, I'll incorporate it into your cover design by creating the barcode.
For a smoother process, it's helpful to have your ISBN before we finalize the cover design. Keep in mind that different formats (hardcover, paperback, ebook) require separate ISBNs. Don't worry if this seems complicated – I'm here to guide you through each step of the ISBN process as needed.
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Typical timelines:
Fiction: About 2 weeks for cover and interior
Nonfiction: 3 weeks or more
eBooks: 1 week
Factors affecting timeline:
Genre: Some are quicker to design than others
Complexity: Books with images, bullet lists, and sections take longer
Manuscript readiness: A polished manuscript speeds up the process
Communication: Clear, prompt responses keep things moving
Key points:
Differences are usually in days, not months
eBooks are fastest, regardless of genre
Your involvement can significantly impact speed
I'll provide a custom timeline after reviewing your specific project. My goal? Delivering quality design as efficiently as possible.
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My payment process is straightforward and designed to align with project milestones. Here's how it works:
First, we'll have an initial intake session to discuss your project and receive all necessary files. Once we've agreed on the scope of work, we'll provide you with a proposed overall fee. To begin the design process, I require a deposit of half the total fee. This upfront payment allows me to dedicate my resources to your project.
The remaining balance is due upon completion of the design work and your acceptance of the final files. This approach ensures that you're satisfied with the results before making the final payment.
I find this two-step payment process helps create a clear, mutually beneficial working relationship throughout your book's design journey.
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