Custom illustrated book covers for indie authors who want readers to feel something before they even open the first page.
A beautiful cover does more than catch attention—it tells readers what kind of emotional experience they’re about to have.
At Hawthorn & Aster, our illustrated cover team specializes in creating visually striking, genre-aware covers designed specifically for indie authors. Whether you’re publishing a cozy fantasy romance, a sweeping romantasy epic, a gothic paranormal, or a contemporary rom-com, we work to pair you with an artist whose style complements both your story and your market.
Our boutique studio model allows authors to access a carefully curated roster of artists with wildly different aesthetics, ensuring your cover feels unique to your book—not templated or trend-chasing.
From painterly fantasy illustrations to clean contemporary romance covers, every project is built with storytelling, discoverability, and emotional impact in mind.
Our illustrated cover artists create:
Ebook Covers
Paperback Full Wraps (Front, Spine, Back)
Hardcover Dust Jackets
Audiobook Covers
Series Branding & Cohesive Cover Sets
Each artist brings their own strengths, style influences, and creative process to the table, allowing us to support a wide range of genres and visual aesthetics while still maintaining the polished, professional quality Hawthorn & Aster is known for.
Our illustrated cover team includes artists specializing in everything from atmospheric fantasy to whimsical romance and emotionally driven character art.
Cherie (Starting at $400–$1000+) — Hand-drawn illustration blended with photographic elements for covers that feel tactile, atmospheric, and timeless.
Cindy (Starting at $500–$800+) — Gouache and watercolor-inspired designs with dreamy palettes and expressive character, anime-inspired work.
Starting at $400–$1000+
Even (Starting at $400–$500+) — Dark, emotive, painterly illustrations with gothic and dramatic storytelling appeal.
Lumaris (Starting at $500–$850+) — Striking fantasy and romantasy cover design with emotionally impactful compositions.
Molly (Starting at $200–$600+) — Bold, colorful, animation-inspired artwork with expressive character acting and high emotional energy.
My Lan (Starting at $400–$955+) — Clean, polished, highly marketable illustrated covers ideal for romance, rom-com, contemporary, and YA fiction.
All artists offer a combination of ebook, full wrap, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover cover options depending on the project.
📚 Perfect For Genres Like:
Romantasy
Fantasy
Paranormal Romance
Dark Romance
Cozy Fantasy
Contemporary Romance
Rom-Com
Young Adult Fantasy & Romance
Sci-Fi Romance
Monster Romance
Character-Driven Fiction
🛠️ What’s Included
Because every artist works differently, deliverables may vary slightly depending on the illustrator and package selected. However, illustrated cover services may include:
Custom illustrated cover artwork
Typography and title integration
Concept sketches and rough compositions
Color and lighting studies
Collaborative revisions
Print-ready export files
Files formatted for ebook, paperback, hardcover, and/or audiobook platforms
Some artists also offer:
Interior illustration add-ons
Series branding
Illustrated merchandise assets
Custom typography upgrades
Special edition formatting
Please review your chosen artist’s individual page for exact package details, licensing information, and workflow expectations.
Illustrated cover pricing varies based on:
Complexity
Character count
Background detail
Format needs
Licensing and commercial usage
Artist experience and style
Projects currently begin around $200+, with premium fully illustrated wraparound covers reaching $1000+ depending on scope.
Select your preferred artist and submit your deposit through the storefront. From there, project details, invoicing structure, and remaining payments will be coordinated directly according to the artist’s preferred workflow and availability.
If you’re unsure which artist is the best fit for your project, we’re always happy to help guide you toward the right creative match.
🔒 Please Note
To ensure the best possible experience for both authors and artists:
Illustrated covers are custom artwork and are non-refundable once work has begun.
Commercial licensing and usage terms vary slightly by artist.
Turnaround times depend on artist availability, project complexity, and revision scope.
Some artists may decline projects outside their preferred genres or artistic specialties.
Authors are responsible for ensuring all provided references, stock assets, and creative materials are properly licensed and owned.
We believe illustrated covers should feel intentional, emotionally resonant, and tailored to the stories they represent—not mass produced. Every project is approached with care, collaboration, and respect for both the author’s vision and the artist’s craft.
Custom illustrated book covers for indie authors who want readers to feel something before they even open the first page.
A beautiful cover does more than catch attention—it tells readers what kind of emotional experience they’re about to have.
At Hawthorn & Aster, our illustrated cover team specializes in creating visually striking, genre-aware covers designed specifically for indie authors. Whether you’re publishing a cozy fantasy romance, a sweeping romantasy epic, a gothic paranormal, or a contemporary rom-com, we work to pair you with an artist whose style complements both your story and your market.
Our boutique studio model allows authors to access a carefully curated roster of artists with wildly different aesthetics, ensuring your cover feels unique to your book—not templated or trend-chasing.
From painterly fantasy illustrations to clean contemporary romance covers, every project is built with storytelling, discoverability, and emotional impact in mind.
Our illustrated cover artists create:
Ebook Covers
Paperback Full Wraps (Front, Spine, Back)
Hardcover Dust Jackets
Audiobook Covers
Series Branding & Cohesive Cover Sets
Each artist brings their own strengths, style influences, and creative process to the table, allowing us to support a wide range of genres and visual aesthetics while still maintaining the polished, professional quality Hawthorn & Aster is known for.
Our illustrated cover team includes artists specializing in everything from atmospheric fantasy to whimsical romance and emotionally driven character art.
Cherie (Starting at $400–$1000+) — Hand-drawn illustration blended with photographic elements for covers that feel tactile, atmospheric, and timeless.
Cindy (Starting at $500–$800+) — Gouache and watercolor-inspired designs with dreamy palettes and expressive character, anime-inspired work.
Starting at $400–$1000+
Even (Starting at $400–$500+) — Dark, emotive, painterly illustrations with gothic and dramatic storytelling appeal.
Lumaris (Starting at $500–$850+) — Striking fantasy and romantasy cover design with emotionally impactful compositions.
Molly (Starting at $200–$600+) — Bold, colorful, animation-inspired artwork with expressive character acting and high emotional energy.
My Lan (Starting at $400–$955+) — Clean, polished, highly marketable illustrated covers ideal for romance, rom-com, contemporary, and YA fiction.
All artists offer a combination of ebook, full wrap, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover cover options depending on the project.
📚 Perfect For Genres Like:
Romantasy
Fantasy
Paranormal Romance
Dark Romance
Cozy Fantasy
Contemporary Romance
Rom-Com
Young Adult Fantasy & Romance
Sci-Fi Romance
Monster Romance
Character-Driven Fiction
🛠️ What’s Included
Because every artist works differently, deliverables may vary slightly depending on the illustrator and package selected. However, illustrated cover services may include:
Custom illustrated cover artwork
Typography and title integration
Concept sketches and rough compositions
Color and lighting studies
Collaborative revisions
Print-ready export files
Files formatted for ebook, paperback, hardcover, and/or audiobook platforms
Some artists also offer:
Interior illustration add-ons
Series branding
Illustrated merchandise assets
Custom typography upgrades
Special edition formatting
Please review your chosen artist’s individual page for exact package details, licensing information, and workflow expectations.
Illustrated cover pricing varies based on:
Complexity
Character count
Background detail
Format needs
Licensing and commercial usage
Artist experience and style
Projects currently begin around $200+, with premium fully illustrated wraparound covers reaching $1000+ depending on scope.
Select your preferred artist and submit your deposit through the storefront. From there, project details, invoicing structure, and remaining payments will be coordinated directly according to the artist’s preferred workflow and availability.
If you’re unsure which artist is the best fit for your project, we’re always happy to help guide you toward the right creative match.
🔒 Please Note
To ensure the best possible experience for both authors and artists:
Illustrated covers are custom artwork and are non-refundable once work has begun.
Commercial licensing and usage terms vary slightly by artist.
Turnaround times depend on artist availability, project complexity, and revision scope.
Some artists may decline projects outside their preferred genres or artistic specialties.
Authors are responsible for ensuring all provided references, stock assets, and creative materials are properly licensed and owned.
We believe illustrated covers should feel intentional, emotionally resonant, and tailored to the stories they represent—not mass produced. Every project is approached with care, collaboration, and respect for both the author’s vision and the artist’s craft.
