Steve Lead is a freelance cover artist and industry podcaster, with many years' experience working on book cover designs in the publishing industry. Today, he sits down to help demystify the complicated process that goes into creating a book cover. We discuss briefs, trends, industry pay (or lack of it), the impact of thumbnail images on print books--and finally, the elephant in the room: the burgeoning technology that is generative AI, and what it might mean for us all.

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:08 Interactions with Authors and the Design Process

07:03 The Design Brief and Constraints

09:02 Pay and Salaries in the Design Industry

12:04 The Impact of Thumbnails on Book Covers

32:31 The Role of AI in Writing and Design

34:00 Concerns and Fears about AI in the Creative Industry

35:06 Legal Ramifications of AI in Publishing

36:27 The Need for Accountability and Fair Compensation

37:21 Controversies and Criticisms of OpenAI

39:16 The Impact of AI on Artists and Creators

41:14 The Dark Side of AI and Social Media

44:34 The Use of AI in Social Media Platforms

46:18 The Potential Benefits and Limitations of AI

48:08 The Controversy of Cover Quotes on Book Jackets

53:43 The Frustration with Front Cover Quotes