Phillip Dannels

Phillip Dannels – Designer

Sci-fi and fantasy book covers that are bold, stylish, and marketable. Many covers in the Aethon Books catalogue. Covers from $1000.

Overview

Hey y'all! I'm Phil, and I'm a cover designer who specializes in the genres that are especially close to my heart - science-fiction and fantasy. I love bringing far-off worlds and imagined places to vivid, visual life. In addition to helping self-published authors do this for nearly five years, I've also contributed artwork for Aethon Books' extensive sci-fi catalogue.

Flexibility is huge for me - making sure that authors have a wide variety of options based on their time and budgets. I like to start by emailing/Reedsy messaging back and forth to get a general feel for your story, teasing out any beats or moments you might want visually represented on the cover. At the end of this conversation, I'll send you a quote.

From there, I'll start the rough copy. This is a low-detail, unfinished version of the cover that captures several important bits of information - the overall mood, color scheme, placement of important elements, ect. I'll send you this within a week of starting, and we can work together on changes to make sure it fits your vision.

Once that's done, I dive in to the final and make the magic happen. Here's where the cover comes to life, adding the final details and effects to really make it shine. When that's finished and you've approved it, I'll send you all of your final materials!

Let me know if you have any additional questions, and I can't wait to work with you!

Phil

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“Aethon Books has worked with Phil on dozens of books and he has consistently provided some of the strongest covers in our catalogue. We will work with him until the end of time!“

Steve Beaulieu, Editor at Aethon Books

Services
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Military Science Fiction Space Opera
Languages
English

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2017 — Present

Cover design, specializing in military science fiction and space opera.

Phillip has 36 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Elbridge L.

Elbridge L.

Feb, 2025

Phillip was a delight to work with. Prompt. Professional. Easy to collaborate with. I was a bit of a pre-Madonna on some details for my book cover and he rolled with the punches effortlessly. Could not recommend him enough, it was a highlight of my morning waking up to see his work.
Grant R.

Grant R.

Feb, 2025

This is my second time working with Phillip Dannels. His work on my second project was incredibly passionate. The way in which he and I collaborated and contacted each other consistently throughout the creative process was a demonstration of true dedication and respect for the project and his art...
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Aaron S.

Aaron S.

Jan, 2025

Phillip is one of the best artists on this site. Highly recommend, will use him again many times for many series.
Ryan A.

Ryan A.

Jan, 2025

I needed a new cover done for an old book. Phillip created an excellent cover, responded quickly to feedback, and was courteous and professional the entire time. I would hire him again.
Aaron S.

Aaron S.

Dec, 2024

Highly recommend Phillip, his illustrations and colors are top notch. Highly recommend. I will also be using him in future books as well. Thanks for all the hard work.

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