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BOOK COVERS
COPY EDITING & KDP PUBLISHING
Tomahawk – A Book Cover, A Story, and an Unexpected Journey
Some projects go beyond design—they become personal. Tomahawk was one of those projects.​
Years ago, while working at Staples in the Copy & Print Marketing Department, I met Tom Hable when he came in to print a copy of his manuscript. After chatting, he learned I was also a writer and writer and we decided to collaborate on a book cover.
Bringing a Vision to Life
Tom wanted the cover to reflect the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in Wisconsin during the Great Depression—a story based on his father’s experiences. He handed me an old, worn photograph of his father, that needed to be restored first and asked if I could place him in a forest setting, where he and his fellow Tree Army brothers had cut down trees to build roads.​
There was just one problem—I didn’t have Adobe products at home, and I was completely broke. Determined to make it happen, I stayed late after work to use Photoshop Elements, but I mostly pieced the rest together using BeFunky and structuring it in Canva. The process was anything but smooth. Nothing looked quite right, nothing felt complete—until one day, I stepped back and realized,​ “Wow, this is done.”​
When I presented the final design—his father, restored (in sepia depicting the past) and seamlessly placed into the lush green forest—Tom was blown away. But this was just the beginning.
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From Designer to Editor & Publisher
Tom then asked if I could publish the book to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). As a starving artist, I collected priceless skills to accommodate client needs, so I agreed. When I begin formatting, the book had major But as I begin formatted the manuscript had glaring grammatical, structural, and tense issues. So I asked, “Who edited this?”Long story short, I landed my first editing gig. Tomahawk became a labor of blood, sweat, and tears, and seeing it through from start to finish remains one of my proudest accomplishments.
An Incredible Piece of History
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a groundbreaking New Deal program established in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat unemployment during the Great Depression. Starving men, trekked to these locations to provide for their families. Tomahawk was a restored Army Base, it provided young men with jobs in conservation efforts, including planting trees, preventing soil erosion, and constructing roads, parks, and other infrastructure. The CCC not only revitalized America’s natural landscapes but also instilled a strong work ethic in those who participated, leaving a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship and economic recovery.
A Brotherhood Forged in War – Designing a Story of Friendship and Loss
For this project, Tom Hable wanted a cover that honored his friendship with Darryl Gordon Winter, a U.S. Air Force combat photographer, whom he met after enlisting during the Vietnam War. The story follows their bond and the tragedy of Darryl’s death in the line of duty.
When researching for the cover, I found a photo of Darryl online but, out of respect for copyright concerns, I chose to sketch his likeness and apply a filter for artistic effect. The back cover features authentic images from the war: the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that was attacked and destroyed, the watchtower where Tom stood guard during his service, and a photo of he and his late wife Jean on their wedding day.​
This design was about more than aesthetics—it was about honoring history, brotherhood, and sacrifice.
Turning Chaos into a Story Worth Telling – The Making of Sea Pups and Sea Dogs
Some projects challenge your technical skills, some challenge your patience, and then there’s Sea Pups and Sea Dogs—a project that did both.
Written by George H. Gillette, this hilarious and unfiltered collection of military stories takes readers on a wild ride through his days as a sailor. From bad smells to bizarre antics, his stories are equal parts eye-opening, outrageous, and deeply insightful. George has a gift for storytelling, but working on this book came with its own unique set of hurdles.
The manuscript arrived in a less-than-ideal state, requiring extensive formatting, restructuring, and polishing—all while keeping George’s distinct voice intact. The editing process wasn’t just about grammar; it was about bringing order to the chaos without losing the raw, candid humor that makes this book so special.
But that’s what I love about my work—growth through challenge. Despite the hurdles, I shaped Sea Pups and Sea Dogs into a book that captures George’s humor, raw honesty, and larger-than-life personality. It was a ride, but one worth taking.
Growth Through Storytelling – Hunting and Fishing, Simply Majestic
With Hunting and Fishing, Simply Majestic, George H. Gillette continues to share his adventurous tales of hunting, fishing, and outdoor life with his signature humor and storytelling charm. The stories are just as entertaining as ever—full of laugh-out-loud moments, unexpected twists, and the kind of real-life experiences that keep readers engaged.
What stood out to me the most in this project was George’s growth as a writer. While there were still grammatical and structural challenges to tackle, this book was a major improvement in writing from his first. The storytelling flowed more naturally, and his confidence as a writer was evident. It was rewarding to see his progress and be part of shaping his words into a polished, cohesive collection.
