Michael Rehder

Michael Rehder – Designer

Internationally recognized book designer in both fiction + non-fiction, incl. Penn Press S+S Harlequin PRH Hallmark Harper and Sourcebooks.

Overview

I am an experienced book cover designer and art director in both fiction and non-fiction, most recently as a Creative Director for Harper Collins–and now available on Reedsy. I now work with all publishers and authors to craft the appropriate cover design to spark the readers' imagination. With over 200 covers done for independent authors here, including many return customers over the past 11 years, a successful book cover is nearly at hand.

Titles I have designed have regularly appeared on the New York Times and USA TODAY best-seller lists, and I have been honored with over 44 national and international design awards. Let's create a great visual for your book!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English
Awards
  • Over 40 international awards
Certifications
  • Registered Graphic Designer of Ontario (RGD)
  • Associate, Ontario College of Art + Design (OCADU)

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2015 — Present
My company works in both fiction (Trade Fiction, Women's and YA) and non-fiction (Self-help, Business, Memoirs) with all publishers and authors to spark readers' imagination! Clients include Simon & Shuster, Harlequin, Penguin Random House, Hallmark, Harper Collins and Sourcebooks.

Harper Collins

Feb, 2007 — Apr, 2015 (about 8 years)
I led the comprehensive design direction for titles for our non-fiction imprint (Harlequin Non-Fiction), as well as cover creative direction for select fiction authors in our commercial literary program. Accomplishments • Designed and art directed over 25 books for Sherryl Woods, building her audience to become a #1 New York Times best-selling author. • Designed and art directed all books for breakout author Heather Gudenkauf, whose first novel was a surprise top-five New York Times bestseller and has become the biggest selling book for the Mira imprint. • Art directed multiple celebrity non-fiction books including Ashley Rickards (MTV's Awkward), Dean McDermott, Jackie Warner and Kyra Phillips (CNN) in the cooking and self-help categories. • Art directed OVENLY, a cookbook from the well-known Brooklyn bakery which was named one of Entertainment Weekly's "Top Ten Cookbooks of 2014

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Gut Fix

Heidi Moretti

Discouraged by visit after visit with your doctor about your gut issues, you feel like there is nowhere else to turn. But you haven’t lost hope and you know that there has to be something out ... read more
Cover Design
Appalachian Kid: How Hope Changed Everything

Boyle, John

Cover Design Illustration
13 Days to Die: A Novel

Miksa, Matt

Cover Design Illustration
The Beach House

Mary Alice Monroe

A Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie, as seen on Hallmark Channel!Known for her moving characters and emotional honesty, Mary Alice Monroe brings readers a beautifully rendered story that explores th... read more
Cover Design
Catch the Girl: A Mercy Harbor Thriller

Melinda Woodhall

CAN A VENGEFUL KILLER BE STOPPED BEFORE THE NEXT GIRL DIES?In this gripping third book in the Mercy Harbor Thriller series, a troubled young woman seeks refuge within an isolated Florida commu... read more
Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Mind Body Home: Transform Your Life One Room at a Time

Morris, Tisha

Cover Design
The River Girls: A Mercy Harbor Thriller

Melinda Woodhall

WHO’S KILLING THE GIRLS OF WILLOW BAY?When the body of a missing girl washes up on the banks of the Willow River, the killing is linked to two cold case murders, and the investigation must unc... read more
Cover Design Illustration
Girl Eight: A Mercy Harbor Thriller: Book Two

Melinda Woodhall

WILL ANOTHER GIRL BE ADDED TO A KILLER’S DEADLY COLLECTION?In this gripping second book in the Mercy Harbor Thriller series, a ruthless serial killer, who has evaded detection for over a decad... read more
Cover Design Illustration
The Lovely Here and Now

M.M. Arvin

Four women struggle to break free from the past as they embark on a transformative year that will change their lives forever…Harper King fears she is losing everything she holds dear: her husb... read more
Cover Design Illustration
Gone (Deadly Secrets Book 2)

Elisabeth Naughton

Three years ago, Alec McClane and Raegan Devereaux lived every parent’s worst nightmare: their one-year-old daughter, Emma, was abducted from a park when Alec turned his back for just a moment... read more
Cover Design Illustration
All That Fall: A Thriller (Emma Lawson Mystery)

Calvin, Kris

Cover Design Illustration
Her Winter of Darkness: A Veronica Lee Thriller

Woodhall, Melinda

Cover Design Illustration
Her Final Fall: A Veronica Lee Thriller

Woodhall, Melinda

Cover Design Illustration
Her Last Summer: A Veronica Lee Thriller

Woodhall, Melinda

Cover Design Illustration

Michael has 96 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

James R.

James R.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Michael Rehder was terrific. After giving him some general ideas for a cover, he came up with ideas that surpassed what I'd imagined. Then when it came to the fine-tuning of the design, he was flexible and produced revisions that again went further and better than I'd envisioned. I highly recomm...
Read more
Michael R.
Thank you so much. I am so glad you’re so pleased with your book cover!
Stephanie S.

Stephanie S.

Dec, 2023

Pinned
Michael is wonderful to work with. His level of professionalism and experience turned my vision into something better than I had imagined. He's not afraid to steer you in the right direction. He is also very responsive to requests for revisions. I recommend him without hesitation!
Michael R.
Thank you Stephanie--I am so glad you're pleased with the book. best, Michael
Colleen S.

Colleen S.

Sep, 2026

I commissioned Michael to design an author brand and six covers in various formats. I am absolutely delighted with his designs and work. He's made my covers POP! and they are ALL instantly recognisable as Colleen Smith titles—which was part of the brief. He was responsive, professional and unders...
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Heather H.

Heather H.

Aug, 2026

I returned to Michael after my first book because I decided they are going to be a series and I wanted to continue the same look but with a twist as the topics are different. With some conversation, he was able to understand what I was trying to accomplish. He is quick to get back to me when I ha...
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Michael R.
They do get easier with expedience. You have a great brand approach for your books, and wish you every success on them. Happy to have worked with you on them.
Jon F.

Jon F.

Aug, 2026

Michael is a brilliant designer with incredible experience in book cover design. I absolutely loved working with him and the result exceeded my expectations. He listened to my goals and delivered a fantastic design and already seeing hundreds of downloads in the first few days - the cover jumps...
Read more
Michael R.
Exciting news Jon. Thank you.

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