Peter Selgin - Designer
I'm an illustrator and designer specializing in book covers, with Simon and Schuster, The New Yorker, Forbes, and City Opera among clients.
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Overview
Of all the things I've done as a visual artist, from doing illustrations for The New Yorker to writing and illustrating children's books to drawing story boards for movies and doing caricatures aboard the QE2, none have given me more pleasure than designing book covers. As the author of several of my own books, I know just how meaningful and powerful a well-designed cover can be. It saddens me when a worthy book, one that an author has put years into, doesn't get the sort of cover it deserves. It's more than a shame; it's a crime. The same level of training and skill should go into the cover as into what's inside. Assuming they care about their book, by no means should an author have its cover designed by an amateur. Knowing InDesign does not make one a designer!
My process is pretty straightforward. Typically authors send me a galley and synopsis of the book in question, along with any ideas they or their publisher may want to bounce off me, and — when relevant — any illustrations or images the author may have in mind. Since my work tends to be more on the graphic side, I may or may not incorporate images directly; but if it an image can work with a design I have in mind, then I’ll try. Anyway, the first stage consists of my creating several (1-5, depending on rate) concept jpegs (typically, those I consider strongest among a dozen or so sketches that I’ll do for myself). Assuming one of the concepts meets with the author's favor, they (or their editor) will share it with other concerned parties ( the marketing team). If approved, or approved with changes, assuming a full cover (front and back) is desired, once blurbs, bar codes, etc. are available, I will go on to produce a camera-ready PDF for the full cover, including the spine.
My process is pretty straightforward. Typically authors send me a galley and synopsis of the book in question, along with any ideas they or their publisher may want to bounce off me, and — when relevant — any illustrations or images the author may have in mind. Since my work tends to be more on the graphic side, I may or may not incorporate images directly; but if it an image can work with a design I have in mind, then I’ll try. Anyway, the first stage consists of my creating several (1-5, depending on rate) concept jpegs (typically, those I consider strongest among a dozen or so sketches that I’ll do for myself). Assuming one of the concepts meets with the author's favor, they (or their editor) will share it with other concerned parties ( the marketing team). If approved, or approved with changes, assuming a full cover (front and back) is desired, once blurbs, bar codes, etc. are available, I will go on to produce a camera-ready PDF for the full cover, including the spine.
Services
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Classics
Dystopian
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction
Poetry
Awards
- Finalist, AWP Award for Fiction
- Finalist, AWP Award for Nonfiction
- Winner, Helen Lemme Award
- Winner Best Indie Book Award 2021
- Winner National Indie Excellence Award 2021
- Finalist Bridge Book Award 2021
- Finalist Independent Publisher Book Award 2021
- Finalist Elixir Book Prize 2021
- Finalist Steel Toe Boots Book Prize 2020
- Finalist Forward Indie Award 2020
- Finalist Big Other Book Award 2020
- Winner Housatonic Book Award 2016
- Flannery O'Connor Award for Fiction 2007
Work experience
Peter Selgin, Designer
Self-employed
April, 2017
–
Present
(about 5 years)
Though my background in the visual arts extends over forty years, to when I studied fine art, illustration, and graphic design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, book cover design is something I've only been doing for a few years. That said, nothing has given me more pleasure. As an author myself (of fiction and nonfiction), I know only too well how important a book cover can be, how pleasing it is to see one's book well-designed with an attractive, alluring cover that captures the essence of what's inside. I also know how disappointing it can be when a cover doesn't capture that essence. I work hard to give my clients the very best covers for their books—the sort of covers you would expect to see on a classic. That is my specialty.
Illustrator / Painter
Self-employed
July, 1992
–
August, 2011
(about 19 years)
Freelance painter and illustrator with American Express, Xerox Corporation, British Airways, BritRail, Oxford University Press, Simon & Schuster, Volkswagen, Canon Corporation, Forbes, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Outside Magazine, Gourmet Magazine, Italian Food & Wine Magazine among clients.
Portfolio (39 selected works)
Cesare
Jerome Charyn
“Charyn’s blunt, brilliantly crafted prose bubbles with the pleasure of nailing life to the page in just the right words. . . . [Cesare is] provocative, stimulating and deeply satisfying.” —Washington PostOn a windy night in 1937, a seventeen-year-old German naval sub-cadet is wandering along the seawall when he stumbles upon a gang of ruffians beating up a tramp, whose life he saves. The man ... read more
Murmur
Eaves, Will
Beauty (2040 Books Awards)
Chiu, Christina
All Roads Lead to Blood (2040 Books Awards)
Chau, Bonnie
"S.S." GIGANTIC ACROSS THE ATLANTIC: The Story of the World's Biggest Ocean Liner Ever
Selgin, Peter, Selgin, Peter
Unknown Empire: The True Story of Mysterious Ethiopia and the Future Ark of Civilization
Arnold, Dean W., Asserate, Prince Asfa-Wossen
Mamaji: A Memoir
Haqq, Elisheba
Aseroë
Dominique, François, Sieburth, Richard, Limoli, Howard
Irresponsible and Maladjusted: Essays
Cummins, Walter
Sergeant Salinger
Charyn, Jerome
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Jordan, Donald
The Nutroom Trip: A Journey into the Coming Age
Cass, Michael
The Kuhreihen Melody: nostalgic essays by Peter Selgin
Selgin, Peter
Tacoma Stories
Wiley, Richard
The Mistresses of Wistmere: A Neo-Gothic Novel
Secor, Rachel
The Wife Who Wasn't: A Novel
Ifland, Alta
A Song of War
Faulk, Robert
Bon Vivant: Essays
Iacuzzo, Charles
My Life with Women, Volume 1: Or, The Consolation of Jazz
Kennedy, Thomas E.
The Salt & Pepper Gang: a memoir
Arthur, Kenneth
The Reincarnations
Elias, Nathan
Concord
Zancanella, Don
Magic: A Life In More Worlds Than One
Conway, David
The Lovely Gravy Boat
Thomas, SM
City of Incurable Women
Casey, Maud
Half Moon Lake
Brock, Steve
A Little Book On Back Pain
Taiman, Edward
The Mansion's Mystery (The Slingshot's Secret trilogy)
Conlon, Benjamin
Coil Quake Rift
Elias, Nathan
Madre: The Nun Who Was Mother to the Orphans of Honduras
O'Neil, Kathy Martin, Rodríguez Maradiaga, Cardinal Óscar Andrés
Seeking Authenticity
Cummins, Walter
Close-Up: A Novel
Herman, Michelle
Peter has 21 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Apart from a wonderful cover design and excellent all-round publishing expertise, Peter was patient, responsive and communicative throughout.
It must be a rarity in professional collaboration to have someone so senior and accomplished be so generous with their time and knowledge. I'd love to work with him again.
Ben Human, April 2022
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Reply from Peter Selgin
Peter was very easy to work with. This being my first attempt to publish a book, I had many questions that he was able to answer. He provided two possible cover designs, both well done, and the one I chose I believe will prompt customers to open the book to see what it's about. That's all you can ask from a book cover, to pique the customer's interest. I'd happily work with him again.
Steve Brock, March 2022
I LOVED working with Peter. He’s quick, creative, and insightful. Peter took into consideration my initial ideas for the cover and built upon that foundation. He then came back with a design that totally hit the mark. His use of graphics, font choices, and overall aesthetic took the cover of my book to a whole new level that I could not have imagined on my own. By all means, reach out to Peter ...
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David Swenson, March 2022
I enjoyed working with Peter. The process was easy and smooth.
Peter had lots of great ideas and a unique style. I noticed his generosity with offering beautiful sketches and revisions.
Although we never met or spoke, I felt there's a human on the other side who cares about my book.
Peter also helped my finalize the title and subtitle of my book which was very helpful (and not part of his job d...
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Nurit Asnash, March 2022
Peter is absolutely great to work with. His cover design was spot on. He is easy to work with. I told him I was going to be a slow burn and he respected that. I would absolutely use Peter again.
Edward Taiman, February 2022
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