I am a Book Designer.
My start in print design was intrigated in my start as a novelist. I wrote poetry for a few years but once I started working on my book (not to mention design for the web) I started really focusing on the aspect of book design. There's a lot to be said for the power of empty space, font size, font face, headers, footers, these things can break a book. These things can also enhance a book. Book design is a lot of work, far more than any other type of design that I do but I truly love it, from the beginning I new that if I had to work on a book for the rest of my life, that would be a good job for me.
When I became a member of The Jackpine Writers' Bloc my aunt Sharon had already been a member for a couple of years. The JWB had a fledgling book called The Talking Stick I was fourteen at the time and knew that it would be the last year of the books life if someone else didn't take up the reins. Sharon and I took on the responsability of The Talking Stick and I'm proud to say, we are now selling out.
If you have any questions that I didn't answer about book design on my writers page I'm here to help, just send me a note.
Books I have designed.
Broken Hart
In 2007 I was granted the fantastic opportunity to design Jerry Mevissen's second book Broken Hart. His book was a new challenge for me. It was more risky and creative than anything I had worked with before. I learned a lot and I think the book came out fantastic. This was also the first book where I took up a large part of the editing process.Broken Hart is a collection of short stories. I completed the design process (including cover design) in less than six weeks. The book is printed 228 pages in paperback.
Visit the Broken Hart's website for purchasing options and more information.
The Talking Stick Volume: Sixteen
Every year I design the Talking Stick I say the same thing "this years book is the best" and volume sixteen was no different. I tried new things with my layout design, removed headers, used more of the page for a cleaner more old fashioned look and I am really happy with how this book reads.The Talking Stick is an anthology collection of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry from Minnesota writers. I completed this design process (including cover design) in under five weeks. The book is printed 214 pages in paperback.
Visit the the Talking Stick's website for purchasing options and more information.
The Talking Stick Volume: Fifteen
Volume: Fifteen of the Talking Stick will always be one of my favorite books that I designed. The cover is a picture taken of me by my boyfriend (Joseph Crawford) in the fantastic second floor of the regional arts center in New York Mills, Minnesota.The Talking Stick is an anthology collection of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry from Minnesota writers. I completed this design process (including cover design) in under seven weeks. The book is printed 208 pages in paperback.
Visit the the Talking Stick's website for purchasing options and more information.
The Talking Stick Volume: Fourteen
When I see this book, I can't believe how many years it has been since I designed it. Some things in our lives seem to mark our own chapters. The cover of this book is a photo I took when I was finally back home after having been gone for too long a time. When I see it, it fills me with warmth.The Talking Stick is an anthology collection of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry from Minnesota writers. I completed this design process (including cover design) in under eight weeks. The book is printed 174 pages in paperback.
Visit the the Talking Stick's website for purchasing options and more information.
The Talking Stick Volume: Thirteen
Thirteen was a break through for the Talking Stick literary journal. Volume: Thirteen marked the year the Talking Stik got back on its feet again. This was only the second book I had ever designed and I learned many lessons here. I'm very happy with how thirteen turned out and to have been a part of it.The Talking Stick is an anthology collection of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry from Minnesota writers. I completed this design process (including cover design) in under seven weeks. The book is printed 114 pages in paperback.
Visit the the Talking Stick's website for purchasing options and more information.
The Talking Stick Volume: Twelve
The first book I ever designed, the Talking Stick Volume: Twelve was a challenge for me. I was only fifteen when I worked on it and I'm still very proud of how it turned out. Stepping stones like this little book are what made me the designer I am today, both in print and on the web.The Talking Stick is an anthology collection of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry from Minnesota writers. I completed this design process (including cover design) in under six weeks. The book is printed 84 pages in paperback.
Visit the the Talking Stick's website for purchasing options and more information.
