Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hannah Linder. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hannah , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Even though it was my dream since early teenage years to design book covers for publishing houses, I did not seriously pursue this path right out of high school. Instead, I worked locally and took graphic design college classes from home—all still very uncertain how/when/if I could someday make my dream job happen.
In May of 2019, while attending a writers conference, my book cover design was noticed and praised by a few other attendees. The last night of the conference, a publisher found me at the ice cream social, made a few jokes, then asked if I would like to design for his publishing house.
The ball started rolling from there. With a strong vision and immense excitement, coupled with all the advice I’d received at the conference, I came home and turned in my two-week notice at my job. I immediately threw myself into launching my own book cover design business, finished up my degree, and—thanks to that first publisher and many other industry professionals who recommended my work—have been busy working my dream job ever since.
Sometimes the leap is a big one. Others certainly questioned my decisions and wondered at the wisdom of quitting a perfectly stable job for one so uncertain. But in the end, what do we ever gain if we don’t take a chance? Your dream is out there. You just have to chase it down.
Hannah , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Hannah Linder, and I reside in the beautiful, rugged mountains of central West Virginia. I never outgrew pretending, so I write Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. When not writing, you can find me playing instruments, songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of my 1800s farmhouse. I also enjoy self-portrait, historical fashion photography.
In way of career, I am an international award-winning and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. I design for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, national, and international bestsellers. I also hold a Graphic Design Associates Degree.
My passion is in the written word—and serving authors in this growing, creative industry. Books so affect our culture, our generation, and our perspective, which makes it an honor to have a small part in bringing these books to life by way of design.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As an author, the most rewarding aspect is hearing someone say they loved my story. How baffling that the worlds inside my head, the emotions that pulse through my soul, the characters I made from nothing…have somehow found their way into someone else’s mind. I will forever be amazed by that.
As a book cover designer, the most rewarding moments are when I spot a book cover I designed in a bookshelf, or see it on a big screen winning an award. It’s such an honor to have had a part in that book’s completion.
How did you build your audience on social media?
First, I narrowed down my target audience, established a brand logo and colors, then decided which platforms I enjoyed the most. From there, I tried to engage with other similar accounts, interact with followers, and post relevant content that would encourage, inspire, and delight.
For anyone looking to establish yourself on social media, I recommend aiming for both professionalism and creativity. Display who you are, what you love, and what makes you different by the topics you chose to discuss, the colors you incorporate in your brand, and the way you interact with your followers. Have fun and keep up a cheerful, positive persona—and above all, don’t get discourage. Any social media platform takes time and consistency to build in numbers, but if you focus on delivering quality posts, your following will grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hannahlinderbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlinderbooks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahlinderbooks
- Other: Book Cover Design Website: https://hannahlinderdesigns.com