Novels & Fiction

Books limited only by the imagination of the author
The quintessential form of literature, the novel presents an interesting design challenge: cover design that meets the expectations of the genre, yet stands out; interior design that reinforces the mood and spirit of the book, but otherwise gets out of the reader’s way through top-shelf formatting and typesetting.
Debra Lee Won't Break by Katherine Pickett, looking at front and back covers
Developing the cover of a powerful debut novel about friendship, trauma, and inner strength—set in motion by two women, one bike path, and a ride toward healing.
This collection of essays, stories, and poems of eleven Native authors combines haunting cover art with every possible writing style.
The cover of "Belzi's Blizzard" showing a reddish brown Finnish Spitz in the snow facing toward the distance where a cabin sits in the snow, with the silhouette of a girl walking out through the snow.
Caught in a blizzard with a grandmother she barely knows, 12-year-old Belzi uncovers a family secret that changes everything.
Cover of "Vendetta" with an illustrated silhouetted woman in front of a noir stylized view of the Louvre, the French flag proudly flying above.
A perilous quest to uncover hidden truths leads Colette Richelieu through a web of art, espionage, and family secrets in Vendetta.
The cover of "In Whispers" showing two Native American children whispering to each other. The girl has an eagle feather in her hair and is dressed in red, while the boy is dressed in orange.
In a world shaped by loss and resilience, Simon and Carolina's young love endures the shadows of the Indian boarding school era written for a YA audience.
A look at the interior spread of the book with a second book showing the cover laying on top.
This middle-grade novella shares the indigenous history of Vashon Island through the eyes of a young girl and the cedar tree she befriends.
A new cover refreshes the second edition and reimagines these “Midwestern Gothic” stories on their tenth anniversary.
The "Falling Rock" cover and sample interior spread. The cover features an illustrated native woman with a feather in her hair and silhouettes of pine trees at the bottom of her white dress. In the background is the silhouette of a fallen warrior in front of purple mountains.
A tender tale of love, courage, and timeless connection, Falling Rock follows the journey of a Miwok warrior on a quest to save his beloved and their future.
A look at the cover and interior text of the book.
A spooky campfire tale blends into Ojibwe cultural motifs in this YA thriller.
Cover and a sample interior spread of "Sylvie's Silence." Cover features a stylized illustrated girl with blue eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair, with a harsh scar running the length of her right cheek, and a small tear coming from her right eye.
A twelve-year-old girl, silenced by a scar and shadowy memories of a tragic past, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and courage in the unforgiving landscapes of 1959 Northern Minnesota.
Bright red title and the almost hidden red canoe feature on this dark YA cover and interior
A red canoe becomes a metaphor on the cover and story of this YA magical realism novel.
Voices Rising showing front and back covers, and an interior spread
Creating an anthology of native women writers took careful balance of style and art—with illustrator Tashia Hart's help.

Design and indie publishing perspectives from Illustrada Design

Stay in the loop