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Steve Leard

Designer

Steve Leard is a graphic designer based in Plymouth, England, specializing in book covers, branding, typography, and illustration. He’s worked with publishers and brands of all sizes, producing considered ideas communicated in an original way. Past clients include Harper Collins, Penguin, Faber, Bloomsbury, Profile, Verso, and many more.

In September 2023, Steve Leard debuted Cover Meeting, the first podcast dedicated solely to book cover design. Its release was met with immediate acclaim and interest by his peers. News of the podcast launch was highlighted in The Bookseller. In its inaugural season, Steve released conversations he conducted with David Pearson, Micaela Alcaino, James Jones, Zoe Norvell, Jamie Keenan, Mike Dempsey, Suzanne Dean, and Tree Abraham. Season 2 is forthcoming in 2024.

Steve was interviewed by The Bookseller in 2023 and he answered some of our own questions for the series Ten Questions.

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Steve Leard

Designer

Steve Leard is a graphic designer based in Plymouth, England, specializing in book covers, branding, typography, and illustration. He’s worked with publishers and brands of all sizes, producing considered ideas communicated in an original way. Past clients include Harper Collins, Penguin, Faber, Bloomsbury, Profile, Verso, and many more.

In September 2023, Steve Leard debuted Cover Meeting, the first podcast dedicated solely to book cover design. Its release was met with immediate acclaim and interest by his peers. News of the podcast launch was highlighted in The Bookseller. In its inaugural season, Steve released conversations he conducted with David Pearson, Micaela Alcaino, James Jones, Zoe Norvell, Jamie Keenan, Mike Dempsey, Suzanne Dean, and Tree Abraham. Season 2 is forthcoming in 2024.

Steve was interviewed by The Bookseller in 2023 and he answered some of our own questions for the series Ten Questions.

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Designer Requirements

Only a carefully curated group of designers are given access to the creative briefs posted on the INABC Jobs Board. This system ensures that clients receive top-notch, focused proposals from professionals whose talents have been vetted

All designers who will be bidding on your cover design have applied to receive job notifications and have been approved by the INABC admin team. Our approved designers:

  • Are professional book cover designers, not simply generalist graphic designers.
  • Have been working in the industry for a minimum of 3 years, usually more.
  • Must demonstrate a contemporary aesthetic, creating work that feels current and relevant to today’s book design market. We seek professionals who stay informed on industry trends while pushing boundaries with innovative, forward-thinking designs. Our designers know that our clients are not looking for designs that feel “dated.”
  • Work on multiple book cover projects in any given month
  • Are committed to delivering high-quality, original designs tailored to each client’s unique vision. 
  • Do NOT sell or offer book cover premades. At INABC, we do not condone the offering of pre-made book covers. We are fans of highly bespoke cover work.
  • Do NOT use AI-generated imagery in their commercial work.
  • Have accessible online portfolios showcasing book cover work that are easy for anyone to review.
  • Have extensive experience working with self-publishing authors AND commercial presses.
  • Are available and excited to receive these weekly briefs.

If you are contacted by a designer that doesn’t align with the requirements described above, we ask that you please contact the INABC admin team at ineedabookcover.assistant@gmail.com.

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