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Book Cover Design Secrets (From the People Who Make Them) | Book Lounge by Libby Season 3
In this episode of Book Lounge, Joe goes behind the scenes of one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of publishing: book cover design.
In the first segment, Erin Fitzsimmons (Sourcebooks) and Karina Granda (Hachette Book Group) join Joe to talk about how they got their start in design, what their creative process looks like today, and how book covers have evolved alongside trends, formats, and reader expectations.
Then, in the second segment, Kathryn G. English (Blackstone Publishing) and Ryan Willwerscheid (Podium Audio) dive into how design shifts across formats, from print to audio, and share some of the biggest surprises that go into creating a cover that connects with readers.
From concept to final product, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the art, strategy, and collaboration behind the covers you can’t stop staring at.
Who’s in this episode:
Segment 1:
Segment 2:
Time stamps:
00:00:00 Title
00:00:23 Intro with Karina Granda and Erin Fitzsimmons
00:03:50 How did you get into this space?
00:09:09 What does on the job training look like for a cover designer?
00:27:54 When do you start desiging covers?
00:39:57 What is a trendy cover vs. A timeless cover?
00:47:07 Thank you to Karina and Erin!
00:47:19 Intro with Ryan Willwerscheid and Kathryn G. English
00:51:03 How do you approach cover design?
01:02:39 Where do you find inspiration when creating covers?
01:06:45 How often do you push comps and trends over author wants?
01:18:11 Do you ever have to change covers right before print?
01:37:50 What would you want people to take away from creating book covers?
01:39:46 Outro
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List!
Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!
We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!
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Published Apr 27, 2026
Joe Skelley
Joe Skelley has always been a lover of reading and the library. His love of libraries brought him to Libby where he works on the marketing & events team and hosts the Book Lounge by Libby podcast. Joe loves to read horror, thrillers, magical realism, and the broad spectrum of YA! When he’s not working, Joe’s listening to audiobooks, working on a DIY project, and (most importantly) hanging out with his Boston Terrier, Roscoe.