Anthony Morais – Designer

I'm a book cover designer and art director with over 15+ years of experience creating visually striking, genre-driven designs across the publishing industry. My work bridges commercial sensibility with artistic nuance—helping stories stand out, whether they're destined for the bestseller list or breaking new ground in the indie space.

Most recently, I served as Art Director for the adult hardcover division of James Patterson's titles at Little, Brown (Hachette). There, I led the design process across dozens of high-profile projects each year—from initial concept and comps to production-ready files—presenting weekly to sales and editorial teams and working closely with printers to ensure top-quality results. It was a fast-paced, high-stakes role that sharpened my eye for market impact and visual storytelling.

Before that, I developed a thriving freelance practice, collaborating with publishers, editors, and award-winning authors to craft covers that not only fit their genre but elevate it. My portfolio includes work in literary fiction, memoir, thriller, horror, experimental poetry, and hybrid nonfiction. My design approach is layered, cinematic, and tactile. I often combine bold typography with collage, photography, and custom illustration to create covers that feel emotionally resonant and visually dynamic. I especially enjoy designing for thrillers, horror, suspense, and genre-bending literary titles—books where tone, atmosphere, and tension are part of the hook.

One constant throughout my career has been a collaborative spirit. Whether I’m working directly with an author or as part of a publishing team, I bring a communicative, flexible, and solutions-focused mindset to the process. I value listening—to the story, the goals behind it, and the people making it happen.

You can see a range of my work on www.straymorais.com, including covers for books that have gone on to receive national awards and critical acclaim. I’ve designed across age groups and markets, from children's books to adult literary titles, and from mass-market thrillers to hybrid poetic memoirs.

Raised by artists and rooted in a lifelong love of design, I bring both creative intuition and practical execution to every project. I studied advertising design and continue to draw on that foundation while pushing boundaries and exploring new visual techniques. Outside of publishing, I create collage-based folk art, which feeds back into my love for texture, layering, and unexpected visual combinations.

Services I Offer:

* Book cover design (print and eBook)

* Custom and semi-custom typography

* Illustration (cover and interior)

* Photo retouching and visual editing

* Social media & marketing graphics

* Packaging and product branding

* Interior layout design (by request)

* Creative consultation for indie authors

Whether you're a publisher looking for a designer who can deliver on vision and deadlines, or an author seeking a creative partner to bring your story to life—I’d love to collaborate.

I’m open to all types of projects, across all genres and budgets. Whether you're launching your first book or managing a full list, let’s create something that truly resonates.

Let’s make something bold.