Robin Locke Monda

Robin Locke Monda – Designer

I do nothing but covers! So let's start your year with a fabulous cover tailored just for you! It's time to get your book out in the world!

Overview

I love doing book covers, and my designs show it! I'm a senior-level designer who has worked with most of the top book publishing houses over the years. I also enjoy collaborating with independent authors, poets and artists who wish to publish their own books, catalogs, and monographs. Many of the covers I show here were done for major publishers like St. Martin’s Press, Houghton Mifflin, McGraw-Hill, Simon & Schuster, Warner Books, Penguin, Random House and W.W. Norton. I've also included several book covers by independently-published authors.

I'm especially interested in:
• Inspirational and spiritual book titles
• Literary short story collections and novels
• Memoirs and Autobiographies
• LGBTQ topics and authors
• Native American topics and authors
• African-American topics and authors
• Non-fiction book titles that focus on important issues of the day, from feminist works, to social justice topics, to animal rights work
• Non-fiction book titles that focus on women's rights, minority rights, history, psychological and physical well-being

For those of you who are authoring self-help, cook books and craft books—I am here for you, too! I'm a sewer and a crafts person myself. I love to cook and I believe in the power of books to bring us strategies for self-improvement and self-realization.

I've had the pleasure of designing covers for Fay Weldon, Joyce Carol Oates, Pauline Kael, Garry Wills, Leslie Marmon Silko, David B. Feinberg, Lillian Faderman, and Ishmael Reed. I give my time and energy to all my projects—it doesn't matter if you are an author just starting out or if you are an experience pro. I would love to work with you!

My background as a fine artist and writer informs my design work. I especially love photography, art history, children's book illustrations, calligraphy and poetry.

NOTE: I am not an illustrator, so if you need a customized illustration or painting for your cover, look for a cover designer who specializes in that. I work with stock photos and stock illustrations to create a feeling, an atmosphere, an evocative design that is complementary with the book's topic. Also, I do not do book interiors. I do covers only, for paperbacks and ebooks, and jackets or case wraps for hard cover books. I also do the marketing materials you may need for social media or your website.
Services
Fiction
African American Fiction Cultural & Ethnic LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing Religion & Spirituality
Languages
English
Certifications
  • Brooklyn College, BA in Fine Art
  • Hunter College, MFA in Integrated Media Arts

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 1996 — Present

I create cover designs for the serious author—you! Each project is as unique as the person who wrote the book. I know the level of competition you face as you cultivate and grow your audience. My designs bring positive attention to your project, whether it's displayed online or in a brick-and-mortar book store. I look forward to working on a project for you!

PenguinUSA

Apr, 1990 — Dec, 1995 (over 5 years)

I designed both hard cover jackets and paperback book covers in the Adult Trade art department at PenguinUSA. I designed covers for the Viking, Dutton, Penguin and Plume lists. My experience there included supervising independent contractors on book cover projects, including the hiring of other designers, as well as photographers, illustrators, and photo researchers. I often negotiated image fees and publication rights with either stock image houses, or directly with illustrators, artists, and photographers.

Portfolio

Bold and impassioned, sharp and defiant, Leslie Marmon Silko's essays evoke the spirit and voice of Native Americans. Whether she is exploring the vital importance literature and language play in Native American heritage, illuminating the inseparability of the... read more
In this provocative work, which could not be timelier, Garry Wills, one of our country's most noted writers and historians, offers a powerful statement of his Catholic faith. Beginning with a reflection on his early experience of that faith as a child and late... read more
Best Man

Delyani, C.

The account of a trial in which the very meaning of the Holocaust was put on the stand. D. D. Guttenplan's The Holocaust on Trial is a bristling courtroom drama where the meaning of history is questioned. The plaintiff is British author David Irving, one of th... read more
Talk to women under forty today, and you will hear that in spite of the fact that they have achieved goals previous generations of women could only dream of, they nonetheless feel more confused and insecure than ever. What has gone wrong? What can be done to s... read more
Stonewall

Martin B.

"As scholars we should read Stonewall, and as teachers we should assign it. All of us will be challenged to build on it."—Michael Sherry, Northwestern Univ. "Both a fascinating account of the birth of gay liberation and a replay of the turbulent, society-chang... read more
Born in 1940, Lillian Faderman was the only child of an uneducated and unmarried immigrant Jewish woman. Her mother, whose family perished in the Holocaust, was racked by guilt at having come to America and left them behind; she suffered recurrent psychotic ep... read more

Robin has 86 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Alex B.

Alex B.

May, 2023

I am a first time author and my experience with Robin was excellent. She was timely, flexible, professional, and positive throughout our work together. Her cover design was exactly what I was looking for and she worked with me to make sure it came out perfect. I really enjoyed working with her and would highly recommend her.
Rex D.

Rex D.

Apr, 2023

Always great work and great to work with!
Robin L.
Rex, you are a great client! It has been my pleasure to work with you again!
Nita S.

Nita S.

Apr, 2023

Robin is such a pro. She is responsive, helpful, and oh so creative. We loved her designs. I would definitely work with her again.
Steve W.

Steve W.

Apr, 2023

Robin took the time to review and understand my manuscript. That helped her capture the character of the book in all of the design choices she provided. The design option I chose compliments the artwork and captures the eye.
Dare D.

Dare D.

Mar, 2023

Robin was wonderful to work with! I told her the idea I had in my head and she was able to come up with something even better than I had imagined -- I highly recommend her!
Robin L.
Dare, you were delightful to work with. Thank you for being such a lovely client!