Call for 2026 Book Design Projects
Let's Work Together!
I have big news: My wife and I are buying a house! I hope I haven’t jinxed it by writing that. I am excited and nervous and all of the other emotions besides.
As you may be aware, buying a house costs a lot of money. In order to a) reinforce our savings, b) continue to pay for my current studio rent, and c) help make my new basement studio perfect, I feel compelled to work. Work, work, work.
I am busy right now. Maybe too busy. But that will change, and I’d like to line up some work for 2026. Do you have a forthcoming book project that needs a designer? Let’s talk.
In the name of transparency, and perhaps to save everyone a little bit of time, here’s some important info:
2026 Rates
For new self-publishing clients1 in 2026, I am charging a minimum of $1,000 for covers and $2,500 for full book packages (cover+interior). Note: These are minimums, and for self-published projects. Bigger or more complicated projects will cost more. To be (perhaps too) blunt: Unless there are other, special reasons to take on a project, these numbers are the lowest I can accept for it to be worth my time.2 Believe it or not, these rates are below industry standard.
If that’s too rich for your blood, I understand! DM or email me and I would be more than happy to try and help you find a trusted designer that’s more in your budget.
I also recommend you read this:
Other Ways to Work with Me
Licensing
Alternatively: I am also noodling with the idea of licensing collage art for book covers. I don’t know what that arrangement will look like yet, but it will definitely be cheaper than a custom cover design. If you want to license a weird little guy for your cover, let me know.
Talks
Recently, I gave a little talk to some college students about my career in book design. I really enjoyed it (thank you
!) and realized hey, I’d like to do more of this sort of thing.If you have a writers group, company, class, or any other organization that might be interested in hearing me ramble about book design in 2026, I’d love to talk.
The Type of Work I’m Interested In
Right now, I do a lot of nonfiction book design work. It’s my bread and butter and I’m happy to do more of it. Especially essays—I like essays. I am also quite good at history.
I am also interested in designing for literary fiction, short stories, and poetry.
Genres I am less interested in working on: Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction.3
I’ll do anything that calls for collage.
Let’s Talk
All of that sound good? Let’s talk. Here’s my project request form.
I can’t guarantee we’ll work together, or when. But if you have book design needs in 2026, I’d love to hear about your project!
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you for reading! I mean it.
If you’d like to keep this newsletter going and help me say no to designing soul-sucking books about corporate events, email marketing, and raising capital, consider becoming a paid subscriber or buying me a coffee.
Existing clients: Don’t freak out. We’ll talk. I specify self-publishing here because I know these costs come out of pocket and I empathize with that.
And because I know myself, the minimum I need to make sure I give the project as much attention as some of my bigger projects/clients.
Caveat: Unless you want collage and/or a take on the genre that breaks from the norm.
If I were a rich man... (don't worry, I won't sing!) Sigh, how I wish I could afford it. But #goals for 2026! The day I can afford a Nathaniel cover is when I know I've made it!