Michael Vito Tosto – Designer

Most self-published books *feel* self-published—before you’ve read a single page. Spacing is off. Typography is generic. The rhythm isn’t there.

I design interiors that remove that feeling entirely. Books that read cleanly, carry visual weight, and feel like they belong on a bookstore shelf—not just a marketplace listing.

I specialize exclusively in interiors. Every project is built from the ground up—no templates, no shortcuts. Typography, spacing, hierarchy, and flow are shaped around your manuscript and genre.

The difference is subtle, but immediate: The book reads easier, feels more professional, and holds attention the way traditionally published work does.

This isn’t formatting—it’s typesetting.

Margins, line length, leading, kerning, and hierarchy are all set intentionally to support how the book reads—not just how it looks.

I’ve designed 100+ books across memoir, nonfiction, and literary work, delivering print-ready PDFs and EPUBs built to professional standards.

SERVICES:

STANDARD — clean, professional, highly readable. For authors who want a polished, reliable interior.

PREMIUM — typography-driven, fully custom. For authors who want their book to feel indistinguishable from traditionally published work. Deeper attention to spacing, hierarchy, and visual rhythm throughout.

Both include:

-- Fully custom layout (no templates)

-- Genre-appropriate typography

-- Print-ready PDF + EPUB

-- Files aligned to platform requirements

PROCESS:

We begin by confirming trim size and platform. I then review your manuscript and provide up to six initial design directions (mockups).

Once a direction is selected, I complete the full interior and deliver publication-ready files.

Typical turnaround is ~3 weeks. Rush scheduling is available.

HOW I WORK:

I communicate only via email to keep the process clear and documented. As an artist I don’t keep fixed office hours, but I respond consistently—typically within 12 hours, often sooner.

I take on a limited number of projects at a time to ensure each book gets full attention.

ABOUT ME:

I’m a writer, musician, artist, and cat dad inspired by history, classic cinema, poetry, philosophy, and American storytelling. I love Baroque music, 1950s jazz, and the Grateful Dead. I care deeply about books—not just as products, but as crafted objects—and I bring that mindset into every project I take on.

I live with my cat Winston Churchill in the St. Louis, MO area.

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If your manuscript is ready, I’d be glad to take a look and suggest the best approach.