Jerry Todd

Jerry Todd – Designer

Designer, Art Director and Illustrator. I specialize in Big, Bold Thrillers and True Crime.

Overview

I have designed over a thousand book covers in my career, many of them landing on The New York Times, Publisher's Weekly and USA Today bestseller lists. I have worked on titles in every genre from Regency Romance, True Crime and Cozy Mysteries to books that just need that BIG BOOK LOOK!

What I truly specialize in is helping new authors develop innovative packaging to increase their visibility and sales in a very crowded marketplace. I create illustrations from original content and inexpensive stock photography. Provide clients with customized typography. I deliver on time and on budget.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Historical Fiction Medical Thriller Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller
Non-Fiction
History True Crime
Awards
  • First Place cover, General Trade, New York Book Show, 2010
  • Margo L.H. Hammerschlag Scholarship, Art Students League, 2015–2016
  • Other awards include: Society of Illustrators; Bookbinders Guild; Creativity
Certifications
  • BFA-School of Visual Arts

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2010 — Present
Consult with authors to develop concept and design for covers. Create packaging for all genres including mystery and romance series. Design multiple true crime and military non-fiction titles. Revitalizes backlists to the current design. Delivers on time and on budget.

St. Martin's Press

May, 1995 — Jun, 2010 (about 15 years)
Oversaw the art and cover design of sixteen titles per month. Supervised three full-time employees and two part-time freelancers, mentored and trained junior staff. Collaborated with members of both the editorial and production departments to insure the best final outcome for all titles. Maintained the department’s monthly budget, production deadlines and art schedule. Established a strong visual style for the St. Martin’s True Crime Library. Created new looks for mid-list authors to help place them on the New York Times Best-Seller list. Handled all aspects of photo shoots. Hired, managed and directed photographers, stylists and models.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Cold Record: A Novel

Ferguson, Eric

Independently published

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Ashes To Ashes

Lee, Alan L.

Atlas Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Libertyland

Sacks, Peter

Unpublishable Press

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Private Rome: A Private Novel

Patterson, James

Little, Brown and Company

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Those We Carry

Saxberg, Scott

Reimagined Press

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Vanished From Budapest : A suspenseful psychological thriller

Maughan, D.J.

Hulyeseg Publishing

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
In Freedom's Shadow

Hilliard, Robert

Top of the Hill Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Another Try

Koon, Gene

Rusty Typewriter Publishing

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Dream for the Dead: A Sybil Moon Story

Rammel, E. C.

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Dancing Between the Raindrops: Based on actual events I can still remember from the 1980s in New York City

Aspen, Nelson

Red Sky Presents

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
Dead Safe: A Casey Stafford Novel (The Casey Stafford Series Book 2)

Prior, George

Prospect & Main

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Made with Reedsy
78 Degrees and Bloody: A Casey Stafford Novel (The Casey Stafford Series Book 1)

Prior, George

Prospect & Main

Cover Design Illustration Typography
The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder

Charles Graeber

"CHILLING." -- Stephen KingAn intimate -- and frightening -- glimpse inside the mind of America's most prolific serial killer, Charles Cullen, whose 16-year long "nursing" career left as many ... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography

Jerry has 106 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bill K.

Bill K.

Feb, 2026

Jerry was awesome. He had great communication, was easy to work with, and did a fantastic job on the book cover. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a solid illustrator. Thanks Jerry for your amazing talent and and your easy to work with attitude.
Ani A.

Ani A.

Jan, 2026

Jerry did an outstanding job on my e-book and paperback cover. It turned out even better than I had hoped for. His communication was excellent, and he incorporated my suggestions until I got an outstanding product. I'd definitely work with him again.
Nancy E.

Nancy E.

Oct, 2025

Jerry is awesome! He has done the cover for both of my books. He was patient with my many “fixes” and added a beautiful marketing photo.
Brian C.

Brian C.

Jun, 2025

"Jerry Todd is an exceptional cover designer whose talent and dedication bring stories to life before a single page is turned. Having worked with him on two covers now, I can confidently say he has an unmatched ability to capture my vision with precision and creativity. His professionalism, respo...
Read more
MIke G.

MIke G.

May, 2025

I had an excellent experience with Jerry! Cover is great, have had great feedback on it and the book has far exceeded my expectations. Will use him again as he did a great job!

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