Okay, I must admit I felt a little bad that I didn't include any independent artwork in my Best Covers of 2024 post and only traditionally published. Tad hypocritical of me, hey? Perhaps I felt that my book covers were the best of indie publishing in 2024 so obviously I couldn't comment. No bias here, at all! But there is amazing creativity happening in the independent space; self published authors are for real putting their money forward to amp up their game.
So, without further ado, in no particular order, here is my curated selection of a few (but not limited to) favourite and potentially best indie book covers of 2024.
Or just like ones I think people should know about...
(Disclaimer, I am missing MANY. But this is just who I could grab for now. May update later. Or do a 2025 keen to see? We'll...see).
THE VEILED KINGDOM BY HOLLY RENEE
Okay there is NO WAY any of you could have slept on this absolutely pink beast. What incredible book cover art. It's perfectly executed. So much fun. And yes, utterly obsess-worthy.
Viki Lester of Forensics and Flowers killed it. No notes. As you were.
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 19 March 2024).
THE GODDESS OF BY RANDI GARNER
This cover gets what indie spicy audiences want. Darkness. Extra-ness. Beautiful girls. No notes--except for maybe the squashed series line at the top haha This book, and its entire series branding, is just serious fund that I can get behind. Cover Designer Rena Violet knew her assignment and didn't hold back.
Not familiar with Rena Violet's name? You most likely would know her work including The Moon Could Only Weep by Rara Hope (29 October 2024, Sterling Page Press), Lunaria by Kara Douglas (20 August 2023), The Forgotten Witch by Jessica Dodge (19 September 2022).
She also features again on this list...
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 4 April 2024).
WAYSIDER BY K. J. SUTTON
This is a lot of fun. Maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for anything pulp and candy-toned, but this is genre-slick and pretty tight. Unsurprising as Helena Elia is stunningly talented and I urge you to check out her Mythos artworks because they are actually beauty incarnate. I do sadly need to point out the author copy because it is the ONLY thing that pulls this design back from being top-tier. It's so close. Just needs that bit of competition pizzazz like her work on Bloom Book's The Deer and The Dragon by Piper C.J.
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 05 June 2024)
A LIFE FULL OF QUARKS BY C. W. JOHNSON
Look. Not much to say. It's just adorable and hits its mark. Sadly I couldn't find who created it!
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 24 September 2024)
OF DARKNESS AND RUINATION BY RACHEL FALLON
This is such a charming book cover. It's not the neatest of Rena Violet's work, but that's easily forgiven by just what a delight the entire ensemble brings. If I saw this in a bookstore and had a twelve-year-old daughter, I would snap it up. I'm not sure if this book is appropriate for kids, but I guess we'd be finding out together!
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 4 April 2024).
THE MANY RELEASED BOOKS BY MATT DINNIMAN
I'm going to be cheeky here because these covers are distributed by Ace, Penguin Random House but by GOLLY they are amazing. Just fantasy works of art and design. These designs were created by Will Staehle who should be a household name in our industry. Seriously. He's behind V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic and Villains series, as well as the novel The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, Charlie Jane Ander's All the Birds in the Sky, Madeline Miller's Circe, the brilliant It rebranded edition, and so many more iconic designs!
But the reason why I'm going on all about this, is because Matt Dinniman's original self published covers also deserve much love. Penguin has only recently acquired the rights to the physical print and distribution while it seems he maintains digital and continues his original branded designs through it.
This cover for This Inevitable Ruin (Published 3 November 2024) is just prime genre art and design which illustrator Luciano Fleitas aces. It's exactly what I'd expect from a top-tier SFF / litRPG series up to its seventh novel. This is the kind of book you want to find buried, dusty, pages well loved amongst your dad's bookcase.
STRANGE & SUNDRY MAGICS
The illustration for this book cover is EXQUISTE! Madeleine Noonie Barker is exceptional at what she does and I can only hope to achieve her level in the next years. Drawing with such ease from seeming no references is no small feat people! Bow before her.
Sadly, I'm not in love with the design choices the designer-author Cal Black made to format their book cover. But it does take me back to high school when Japanese media had a very similar vibe; so, intentional or not, it is giving me me a comfy, candy-glossed sense of security.
THE HEART OF QUINARIA NOVELETTES
There's something very satisfying about the colour palette and composition of these covers that, when paired with its nostalgic fantasy-coded typography and design, makes them something unique and beautiful.
From the author B. S. H Garcia, From the Ashes (Published 03 May 2023) and From the Depths (Published 20 February 2024) are both available to purchase on Amazon. Design and Art by MiblArt.
DEN OF VIPES BY K. A. KNIGHT
OKAY ThIS IS MY MISTAKE. I KNOW THIS IS A 2020 COVER but the list I found it said 2024? I don't know what's up with that but I wrote the post and I do lvoe this cover so it's staying!
When you envision a dangerous spicy romance, this is exactly what I'd be expecting. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but by golly it's a beauty. Cover Designer Celin truly out did herself here.
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 10 July...2020)
THE BLACK BETWEEN THE STARS BY FALLON DEWYNTER / DEMORNAY
Fun colour palette. Fun use of textures. Striking outcome. Sadly couldn't find the artist though.
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 14 June 2024)
HYMN OF BREATHE AND BONE BY MADELEINE ELIOT
Come on. Like this isn't some daydream book cover haha
It's pretty nifty work by Averil the Artist.
It can be purchased from Amazon here. (Published 1 July 2024)
EXTRA because I nearly made a fool of myself...
I was THIS close to calling out designer Blue Raven for reusing their design format for both Hidden by Fate and Masks by Krysta Fox (Published June 12) and Cursed by Seas and Darkness by Sharlene Healy (Published 26 June) when, with a little more investigation, I realised they were both included in the larger Enemies Ever After Series that obviously share the same visual branding. Duh! This why you do your homework first haha
Congratulations on such a fantastic and successful Kickstarter Jo Holloway too. Great to see!
And, finally, my babies...
Look. I had to okay? They're obviously the best indie book covers of 2024. Right? Look.
Just appreciate them and zip those lips haha
ABOUT CREATIVE DAYNA
Dayna is an Australian creative, working globally, to assist freelancers and brands to enable their visual storytelling and practices. From Netflix Documentaries and Best Selling Authors to international and small businesses, Dayna has provided design and creative solutions across a range of mediums including--but not limited to!--book covers, websites, and product designs.
Comments