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Don't Make It Look Self-Published: The Indie Author's Guide to Book Design
It’s time for authors to self-publish with pride—and look good doing it.
You did the hard You wrote the book. You survived the edits. You poured your energy, insight, and even a bit of your sanity into a career-defining manuscript. Now you’re staring down the final stretch—the book design process—and wondering how to avoid the one thing every self-respecting author
“Looking self-published.”
Enter Don’t Make It Look Self-Published—the acclaimed new guide for independent authors who want their books to look like they belong on the best seller list … not in the clearance bin.
Written by veteran book designer George B. Stevens, this book demystifies the book design stage of the self-publishing journey—what it really takes and how to find the right collaborator to bring your manuscript to life. It’s not about mastering the color wheel or debating the virtues of Helvetica. It’s about making smart decisions, sidestepping the design industry’s worst traps, and producing a book that oozes credibility, captures your voice, and compels your readers.
You’ll learn how
🚫 Avoid the “fast, cheap, and cringey” traps that sink so many indie books
🎯 Spot the difference between a design pro and a Photoshop dabbler
📣 Collaborate with confidence—even if you don’t speak “design”
💰 Sort out the value of your design options before investing in one
🚀 Launch a book that positions you as the expert you truly are.
Whether you’re writing a business or self-help book, a memoir, or a feat of literary genius, this is your guide to publishing with polish, purpose, and pride.
Don’t Make It Look Self-Published is a powerful, practical book in two parts …
In Part 1, you’ll learn to find the right book designer, with practical advice
Where to lookHow to budgetWhat red flags to avoidHow to vet candidates beyond just skimming their portfoliosWhy “design is a process, not a product”Why choosing your design partner may be the most critical decision of your entire publishing journey.
In Part 2, you’ll learn how to be an excellent collaborator during the design process, with tips
What to expect at each stageHow to communicate clearlyGiving useful feedbackMaking the design phase feel less like a necessary evil and more like a creative partnership.
And that’s not all. This guide also includes smart commentary on modern concerns
🤖 The role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in modern design processes
🧠 Understanding your intellectual-property (IP) rights in creative collaborations
🧭 Sourcing confidently from a creative industry that often lacks clear rules or standards.
In short, this isn’t just a book about making your book look good—it’s a guide to making sure the whole publishing experience serves your vision, supports your brand, and builds something you’ll be proud to
You did the hard You wrote the book. You survived the edits. You poured your energy, insight, and even a bit of your sanity into a career-defining manuscript. Now you’re staring down the final stretch—the book design process—and wondering how to avoid the one thing every self-respecting author
“Looking self-published.”
Enter Don’t Make It Look Self-Published—the acclaimed new guide for independent authors who want their books to look like they belong on the best seller list … not in the clearance bin.
Written by veteran book designer George B. Stevens, this book demystifies the book design stage of the self-publishing journey—what it really takes and how to find the right collaborator to bring your manuscript to life. It’s not about mastering the color wheel or debating the virtues of Helvetica. It’s about making smart decisions, sidestepping the design industry’s worst traps, and producing a book that oozes credibility, captures your voice, and compels your readers.
You’ll learn how
🚫 Avoid the “fast, cheap, and cringey” traps that sink so many indie books
🎯 Spot the difference between a design pro and a Photoshop dabbler
📣 Collaborate with confidence—even if you don’t speak “design”
💰 Sort out the value of your design options before investing in one
🚀 Launch a book that positions you as the expert you truly are.
Whether you’re writing a business or self-help book, a memoir, or a feat of literary genius, this is your guide to publishing with polish, purpose, and pride.
Don’t Make It Look Self-Published is a powerful, practical book in two parts …
In Part 1, you’ll learn to find the right book designer, with practical advice
Where to lookHow to budgetWhat red flags to avoidHow to vet candidates beyond just skimming their portfoliosWhy “design is a process, not a product”Why choosing your design partner may be the most critical decision of your entire publishing journey.
In Part 2, you’ll learn how to be an excellent collaborator during the design process, with tips
What to expect at each stageHow to communicate clearlyGiving useful feedbackMaking the design phase feel less like a necessary evil and more like a creative partnership.
And that’s not all. This guide also includes smart commentary on modern concerns
🤖 The role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in modern design processes
🧠 Understanding your intellectual-property (IP) rights in creative collaborations
🧭 Sourcing confidently from a creative industry that often lacks clear rules or standards.
In short, this isn’t just a book about making your book look good—it’s a guide to making sure the whole publishing experience serves your vision, supports your brand, and builds something you’ll be proud to
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
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September 4, 2025
I’ve had the privilege of working closely with George on both of my books, from cover design and publishing advice to final formatting. He’s not just a talented designer, he’s a true partner who understands what it takes to make a self-published book look professional and still feel like you.
Don’t Make It Look Self-Published is exactly what you’d expect from George: clear, practical, encouraging, and a must-have for any author who wants their work to stand out for all the right reasons. He breaks down the design process without jargon, shows you how to avoid the “fast, cheap, and cringey” traps that sink so many indie books, and reminds you why collaboration is the key to publishing success.
This isn’t about fonts and color wheels, it’s about finding the right partner, making smart choices, and producing a book that oozes credibility, captures your voice, and compels readers. Whether you’re writing business, memoir, or fiction, George gives you the roadmap to self-publish with polish, purpose, and pride.
From one indie author to another: you need this book.
Don’t Make It Look Self-Published is exactly what you’d expect from George: clear, practical, encouraging, and a must-have for any author who wants their work to stand out for all the right reasons. He breaks down the design process without jargon, shows you how to avoid the “fast, cheap, and cringey” traps that sink so many indie books, and reminds you why collaboration is the key to publishing success.
This isn’t about fonts and color wheels, it’s about finding the right partner, making smart choices, and producing a book that oozes credibility, captures your voice, and compels readers. Whether you’re writing business, memoir, or fiction, George gives you the roadmap to self-publish with polish, purpose, and pride.
From one indie author to another: you need this book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review