Christian Storm

Christian Storm – Designer

Bespoke book cover, interior & ebook designer. Former Penguin Senior Designer with 20+ years of experience. Award-winning & bestselling art.

Overview

👋 Big 5 Quality for Your Indie Launch

Why wait for a traditional publishing contract to get a showstopper? I bring over 20 years of elite "Big 5" traditional publishing experience—including a tenure as a Senior Designer at Penguin where books I designed won awards, sold millions, and were turned into movies and a Netflix series —directly to your self-publishing journey. You get the exact same industry-defining polish as my bestselling clients, minus the gatekeepers.

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Here are some genres I specialize in designing for:

🕵️‍♀️ Mystery 🔫 Thriller 🚀 Sci-Fi 🤖 Dystopian 👹 Horror 🦄 Fantasy

👧🏿 Young Adult 📘Literary /Trade Fiction 📚 Series

🏭 Nonfiction/Business 🎓Academic nonfiction

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🛠️ The Collaborative Process — Here is what it looks like to collaborate with me:

☕ Kickoff Video Meeting: We’ll meet face-to-face online to dive deep into your book’s heart, themes, and goals.

📝 Author Questionnaire: A short, targeted brief to help me understand your specific creative vision and audience.

📊 Market Research: I analyze your genre's current bestselling comparable titles so your book is positioned to compete and win.

🎨 4+ Original Concepts: You will receive at least 4 distinct, custom cover concepts to choose from.

🔄 Multiple Revision Rounds: We will refine your chosen direction until it is absolutely perfect.

❌ Zero Templates: I provide a premium, bespoke service. Every book is custom-designed inside and out.

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📦 Design Packages

📱 1. Budget Ebook Only: A striking, high-resolution digital cover (set up for Kindle) designed to pop on screens and capture scrolling readers. Starting at $600

📚 2. Standard Print + Digital: Includes an ebook cover, press-ready full wrap covers (front, spine, back) formatted for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, matching marketing/social media graphics, and full technical assistance uploading your files. Starting at $1,000

✨ 3. Complete Print + Digital + Interior: Everything in the standard package, plus custom interior design and typesetting for your print book, and a fully formatted, reflowable ebook file ready for all major platforms. Starting at $2,000 for a basic novel

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🚀 Your Book Deserves the Best

You don't need a traditional publishing house to look like a New York Times bestseller. By hiring me, you bypass all the hassle, delays, and contract battles of traditional publishing while putting an award-winning, market-ready, elite-level book into the world.

Let's make your book unforgettable.

Hit the request button above and let's chat!

—Christian

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Humanities & Social Sciences
Fiction
Fantasy Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Young Adult
Languages
English
Awards
  • Communication Art Design Annual
  • PRINT Magazin Design Annual
  • New York Book Show
  • AUPresses Book, Jacket, and Journal Show
Certifications
  • Google UX Design Certification

Work experience

Oceanview Publishing

Mar, 2016 — Jul, 2022 (over 6 years)
• Visual Strategy Leader: Served as the lead creative force, shaping a cohesive brand identity and spearheading the design for approximately 24 mystery/thriller titles annually. • Creative Director: Managed the entire aesthetic lifecycle, from crafting custom cover layouts to commissioning and directing specialized illustrators and photographers. • Bridge to Production: Partnered closely with editorial and marketing teams to balance high-level creative ambition with real-world manufacturing realities.

Macmillan

Jan, 2010 — Jul, 2010 (6 months)
• Fast-Paced Collaboration: Developed striking cover concepts and jackets in close collaboration with editorial and production teams within a large, multi-imprint environment. • Deadline Driven: Successfully balanced tight industry schedules with rigorous design standards to deliver compelling visual hooks for a wide variety of titles. • Market-Ready Focus: Sharpened my ability to quickly assess a manuscript's core appeal and translate it into a highly competitive commercial package.

Penguin (USA)

Aug, 2005 — Jan, 2010 (over 4 years)
• Bestselling Pedigree: Designed and art-directed eye-catching jackets for major middle-grade and YA titles, including the original cover for the multi-year New York Times bestseller "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher (turned into a Netflix series); "Freakshow" by James St. James (turned into feature film); sports books by Mike Lupica; and the Ranger's Apprentice fantasy series by John Flanagan • Conceptual Innovation: Conceived complex multi-jacket photoshoot concepts (John Green's "Paper Towns") and developed commercial branding that translated into licensed merchandise for Heather Brewer's "Chronicles of Vladimir Tod" vampire series • Publisher-House Polish: Mentored junior designers and prepared files for complex print production, bringing elite, mainstream publishing experience to your project.

Milkweed Editions

May, 2002 — Oct, 2004 (over 2 years)
• Literary Craftsmanship: Crafted custom covers, jackets, and text interiors for a diverse catalog spanning literary fiction, nonfiction, YA, and poetry. • Proven Impact: Designed the visual identity for the YA novel "Perfect" by Natash Friend, the most successful title in the press's history, • Indie Agility: Deeply rooted my design practice in indie-press agility, meticulous typography, and an authentic respect for literary storytelling.

Self-employed

May, 2002 — Present
• High-End Versatility: I deliver concept-driven cover, jacket and interior book designs and typesetting for major "Big Five" traditional publishers, small/university presses, and self-publishing authors across the globe. -- Clients include: Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Little Brown, Amazon Publishing, Disney-Hyperion, Sourcebooks, Milkweed Editions, Oceanview Publishing, Stanford University Press, NYU Press, University of Toronto Press, Atmosphere Press • Premium Aesthetics: Specializing in custom typography and fine press aesthetics, I treat every book as a premium object designed to stand out in a crowded marketplace. • Collaborative Partner: I work directly with creators to translate their unique vision into a commercial reality while seamlessly navigating real-world print production constraints.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
When Karma Comes Calling

Bestwick, Tom

TB Creative

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Dark Thing

Ashley, John

Panacea Publishing

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Truth Stays Buried

Boland Herrick, Alexia

Gladiator Media

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Hysterical: A Novel

Dean, Amber

Amber Dean

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
There's a Badge for That

Moring, Relly

Sol Books

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Mindstock: A Novel

Yonck, Richard

Palabras Publishing LLC

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Junkie Love

Clifford, Joe

Square Tire Books

Cover Design Book Interior Design
EPIC EXECUTION: SPEED UP, SCALE UP AND LEVEL UP

Kenney, David

Authors Unite Publishing

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
The Unfinished Storm: She's Still Here

Ahn, Jackie

Viggo Blu Press

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Afterburn: A Novel

Green, Michael Bodhi

Independently published

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
The Shattered Star: Starlight and Shadow

Ostrom, Skyler R

Skyler R Ostrom

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Bloom: Crisis in the Mediterranean Sea

Morani, Andrea

Andrea Morani

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Bolster Startup

Blumberg, Matt

Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Whisperroot: A Hushwood Tale

Johnson, Tiffini

Independently published

Cover Design
A Writ from the All Thing (The Adjudicator Chronicles)

Starnes, Reynold

Independently published

Cover Design
Grandma's Little Secret

Smith, Becca C.

Inimitable Books

Cover Design
The Freedom Artist

Okri, Ben

Akashic Books

Cover Design
Eden: The Final Solution

Bouquillard, Pascal

Independently published

Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Moving Fear

Hammons, DL

DLH Printing

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Shadowed Echoes : A Paranormal Thriller

Heath, J.L.

Cover Design
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Infinitude

Rath, J. T.

Rath Publications

Cover Design
The Necklace

Witten, Matt

Cover Design
Cover Design
Paper Towns

Green, John

Cover Design
The Outsiders

Moore, David W

Cover Design
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
What to Eat During the Apocalypse

Stefan, Vladimir

Vladimir Stefan

Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Rogue For Peace

Johns, Ben

Independently published

Cover Design
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Quarry

Cacciatore, John

Independently published

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Silver

Thyer

Dylan Thyer

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Saint of Lost Souls: A Kate Barrow Novel

McGarrahan, Trish

Angel's Share LLC

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
SOULFUL RETURN

Mkparu, Fidelis O.

Ofolo Press

Cover Design
A Nest of Broken Bones

Ashley, John

Panacea Publishing

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Welcome to Westville: Westville Book 1

Jones, Ryder

Remnant Heart Publishing

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Exiled

Lowery, Jordan

Hoos Books

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Ghost Writers Club: A Novel

Morris, Cody Wayne

CTW Press

Cover Design
Execution: Escape from Furnace 5

Smith, Alexander Gordon

Cover Design
Starters

Price, Lissa

Cover Design
Enders

Price, Lissa

Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Perfect: A Novel

Friend, Natasha

Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Scarlet

Gaughen, A. C.

Cover Design
EPIC EXECUTION: SPEED UP, SCALE UP AND LEVEL UP

Kenney, David

Authors Unite Publishing

Cover Design
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Financial Freedom: Financial Literacy Made Easy for Beginners

Pettigrew, Ashlyne

Soro Publishing

Cover Design
Cover Design
The Trouble in Me

Gantos, Jack

Square Fish

Cover Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Grasshopper Jungle

Smith, Andrew

Cover Design
Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1

Smith, Alexander Gordon

Cover Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
A Murder in Zion

Maggi, Nicole

Oceanview Publishing

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The SILO

Heist, G. S.

Gregory S. Heist

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Terrence Reid Mystery Series

Birk, Mary

Cover Design
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
The House Rules

Naraghi, Calvin

Cozy Manor Publishing

Cover Design
The Lakehouse

Clifford, Joe

Square Tire Books

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Echo of Revenge

Palmer, Jesse

Cover Design
Liquid Shades of Blue

Polkinghorn, James

Cover Design
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Blood Trail

Preston , Brad

Rogue Press

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Atlas: Poems

Vandenberg, Katrina

Milkweed Editions

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Whisper of the Wings: 12 Lessons Revealed by the Butterfly Life Cycle

Hill, Karmon Miller

Self-published

Cover Design
Cover Design
A Tall History of Sugar

Forbes, Curdella

Akashic Books, Ltd.

Cover Design
Cover Design Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
ROBOT DETECTIVE

Goodman, Shawn

Smoke Stack Press

Cover Design
Cover Design
All Who Wander

Clifford, Joe

Cover Design Book Interior Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Downfall

Rubinstein, Mark

Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Broken Genius (1)

Murray, Drew

Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design
Cover Design

Christian has 81 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Relly M.

Relly M.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
My experience with Christian could not have been better! He went above and beyond for me, including offering valuable advice when I asked for his opinion. I went into the project with little for him to go on, and he took my inspiration photos and came up with something even better than I had imag...
Read more
John A.

John A.

May, 2024

Pinned
Christian did the cover design and interior formatting for my novel, and I couldn't be happier with both! The cover design, in particular, was phenomenal! Christian took my basic idea and elevated it to a professional, eye-catching, and intriguing design that was above and beyond my expectations....
Read more
Christian S.
Thanks, John! I love the book we came up with together and appreciate your patience when it took me a little longer than expected. So glad you’re happy with the results!!
Vladimir S.

Vladimir S.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
Excellent work from Christian. As a first-time author, I had plenty of nerves, ideas and asks from my first cover. He handled everything with aplomb and timely and made sure I had a cover to be proud of! Christian brings his ideas to the table so be ready to be given some useful suggestions, i...
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Issac O.

Issac O.

Dec, 2025

Avoid his person at all costs, he is a scammer! I hired him to do book design (cover and interior). The first iteration started off fine and I gave him feedback. He didn't apply those changes on the second iteration. On the third or fourth iteration, he still had not integrate them. I gave him th...
Read more
Steve P.

Steve P.

Dec, 2025

From the beginning, Christian has been creative, collaborative, and responsive, even under stress. I have only good things to say.

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