Tom Edwards Ai
Character Design
Discover a gallery of compelling characters meticulously brought to life in my character illustrations. Each portrait is a window into unique personalities, stories, and emotions, capturing the essence of diverse worlds and narratives with every stroke.
Premade Covers
Instantly elevate your book's visual appeal with my collection of premade book cover illustrations. Each design is a masterpiece waiting to complement your story, offering a captivating first impression that entices readers to delve into the magic within the pages.
SERIES XIII - STARFALL
With 350 premade covers sold to date across 12 preious series, my science fiction premade covers are second to none.
If you have a tight marketing budget or need to release your next book quickly, you've come to the right place.
Explore 22 original covers that will transport you to new worlds, all at an unbeatable price.
Starfall covers have all been designed in Ultra-wide format. This format gives you added flexibility in layout, which is ideal for adapting your cover for various media and promotional materials. It just looks great too! With these extra wide dimensions, each cover stands out beautifully, and provides you with the creative freedom to showcase your book in the most captivating way possible.
Every cover is crafted with attention to detail and designed to be as unique as your story, ensuring that it will catch the eye of your readers and look fantastic in both digital and print formats. I'm confident these covers will bring out the essence of your work and give it the professional finish it deserves.
Check out the premade cover galleries below, which feature three categories: Core, Elite, and Prime!
- Core covers are the most basic, showcasing a detailed ship in space.
- Elite covers depict multiple ships in 1v1 battles or friendly engagements with stations and other ships.
- Prime covers are the most detailed, featuring epic, action-packed space battles, giant fleets, and high-detail illustrations.
*COVER PRICES*
(All prices shown in GBP):
- Core: £350
- Elite: £450
- Prime: £550
The price includes paperback formatting, ebook cover, 2K, 4K, and 6K artwork without text, and custom text for the front, back, and spine. If you prefer to use your own text and format the cover yourself, that's perfectly fine too.
*EXTRAS*
I offer an extras package that can be purchased for each premade cover. This includes:
- Hardback cover
- Social Media Banners x2
- Audiobook cover
- 3D cover render
All of these extras for a set price of £40! This can be added at any time after purchase too.
HOW TO ORDER
If you're interested in purchasing a cover, please email me at tomedwardsconcepts@gmail.com or tom@tomedwardsdesign.com. Include the name of the cover you'd like (e.g., Premade cover 1) and mention if you want custom text. Also, provide a second or third choice cover in case your first choice is unavailable.
All covers require a contractual agreement, and invoices are issued in British Pound Sterling.
Covers are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. If your chosen cover is available, it will be reserved for 48 hours after your initial email request. During this period, you'll receive a contract and invoice, which must be signed and returned, and payment must be made. If this doesn't happen within the 48-hour window, the cover will be released back for sale.
Covers without custom text will be dispatched within 72 hours of receiving payment.
For covers with custom text, delivery time varies as we'll collaborate to design a suitable font and style. This process typically takes 3-7 working days.
Payment can be made via PayPal or direct bank transfer (including services like Wise). If you choose PayPal, a 5% fee will be added to cover their charges.
Please specify your preferred payment method in your initial email. I hope you find the perfect cover for your sci-fi novel!
Steve C. Eston
'In my opinion, world-building is one of the most enjoyable parts of writing. It is often associated with the fantasy genre, but it really applies to any book.'
Steve C. Eston is an award-winning author celebrated for his contributions to both fantasy and science fiction literature. His passion for crafting intricate worlds and compelling narratives is evident in his diverse body of work, which includes titles such as "The Stranger of Ul Darak," "Deficiency," and "The Conclave." Eston's storytelling is characterized by detailed environments and complex, memorable characters, often exploring themes like family, friendship, loyalty, and equality.
Growing up in the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick, Canada, Eston was drawn to the fantastical from a young age, penning his first illustrated short story at around ten. His early exposure to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and the Dragonlance series further fueled his imagination, leading him to create his own imaginary worlds. After a period of writing primarily in French, Eston transitioned to English, encouraged by his wife, Leigh, who believed in his talent and helped him establish a dedicated writing space. Now residing in Fredericton with his family, Eston continues to write part-time, immersing readers in stories that blend elements of epic fantasy, science fiction, and other genres.
Find out more here: S.C. Eston
The Interview
Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?
When I started looking into creating a cover for my first book, The Burden of the Protector, I had little experience in the domain. After some research, I decided to look for original art, a completely new piece to represent my book. I was hoping to find someone talented, but also willing to answer my questions, and guide me through the process of creating the cover. I reached out to many artists, exploring a wide range of styles. A few stood out, including Tom Edwards. I remember that most of his art, at the time, was aimed toward science fiction. I finally decided to contact him anyway and share with him what I had in mind. I expected him to reject my submission, because it was a fantasy cover and quite specific in what I was looking for (I had a clear image of the layout and elements I wanted on the cover). To my surprise, Tom answered quickly, accepted the project, and provided a clear road map on his process and how we would proceed. I was and still am impressed with how he took my initial ideas, and turned them into an amazing cover.
What set Tom apart from other book cover designers you’ve seen or worked with?
On top of his talent, what set Tom apart are his professionalism and generosity. He’s reliable, yet flexible. He puts an extra effort to make certain that his clients are happy and he is generous and patient with his time, always willing to answer questions. I’ve now been working with Tom for more than 8 years and I hope that we will continue working together on the many projects I have in mind for the future. One of the things I was hoping to put in place when I decided to self-publish my books was long lasting relationships with partners and other authors. I feel that I have that type of partnership with Tom, and can always count on him when it comes to illustrations and covers.
What was the best part of working with Tom to design your cover?
The best thing about working with Tom is how easy it is. Although we are on different sides of the Atlantic, communication has always been painless. As mentioned previously, Tom is very professional, but also respectful. We can have back and forth until we agree on the best way forward. He also replies quickly, and never leave you hanging. He’s extremely talented at what he does and his ability to transform my ideas into a detailed cover is unparalleled.
What initially sparked your interest in writing, and how did you discover your passion for storytelling?
I started writing, or at least creating stories, at a very early age. Neither of my parents were writers, so I’m not sure where my interest came from, other than possibly books and TV shows. I still have some of the books I created as a young boy. Some were about a tiger-masked ninja fighting some monsters. I even created the illustrations for these stories.
That said, I didn’t discover my passion for writing until much later in life. For some reasons, I never believed I could become a writer until my wife, Leigh, encouraged me to give it a try. It quickly became evident to me that writing was something I enjoyed greatly. I’ve always loved to immerse myself in stories, and with writing, not only could I adventure in mystical and new worlds, I now had a say in what could happen. Although I enjoy the process of writing from start to finish, my favorite part remains the sense of wonder I feel as I experience the story and live its events with the characters.
Can you describe your typical writing routine? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone?
I wish I had a routine! Before having children, I would get up early in the morning and write between 6 and 7. It is a good time of the day, when most of the world is asleep and standing still. I would put headsets on, select music that aligned with the story I was writing, and write for a good 30 to 45 minutes, sometimes more.
Now that we have four young children, that routine doesn’t work so well anymore. Actually, having any kind of routine is a challenge. So, I try to write whenever I can. Over the past several years, I’ve had to adapt greatly to find that time to write. More recently, I started writing late at night, once everyone is in bed and asleep. It works, although I find that my mind is sometimes tired that late in the day.
Music remains a great way for me to shut out the world and immerse myself in the story I’m writing. I usually select instrumental music, like movie or video game soundtracks, since lyrics tend to distract me.
What obstacles have you encountered in your writing journey, and how have you overcome them?
The first challenge I faced when I started writing more seriously was the fact that I didn’t know anything, or very little, about writing or publishing. I knew how to put a sentence together, and I had a decent vocabulary, but I had very little knowledge of scenes, chapters, points of view, hooks, building suspense, pacing a story, building a plot, or character arcs. I started researching and reading about it. One of the first books I read was ‘On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft’ by Stephen King. This might have been a stoke of luck, because it contained some of the best tips I’ve read, even to this day. More particularly, he speaks about the importance of learning the craft of writing, and the rules and guidelines of building a strong story. He basically confirmed that I was on the right track in wanting to learn more about how to write.
This encouraged me to continue learning and reading about writing, which I did continuously over the years and continue to do. I love writing and I also love the craft of writing.
My newest biggest obstacle is finding the time to write. With working a full time job and being the father of four young children, it’s a challenge I have yet to solve.
You mention that you prefer not to limit yourself to fantasy writing alone; what other genres do you gravitate towards in your writing?
My writing path, as it relates to genres, is quite similar to the path I followed as a reader. Growing up, I almost solely read in the fantasy genre. It is still the genre that I gravitate toward the most when selecting a new book or the section I go to first when visiting a bookstore. In my twenties, I branched out into science fiction, and nowadays, I read a little bit of everything, enjoying biographies, and a wide array of fiction genres.
One of the things that I like the most about fantasy and science fiction is that although they have elements that make them standout from other genres, they can also easily include all other genres. For example, my first published novella, The Burden of the Protector, is a fantasy with dystopian and philosophical elements. My second book, The Conclave is a fantasy and a mystery. My third book, Deficiency, is a science fiction, but also a thriller and mystery, with dystopian elements. My upcoming series, ‘The Baneseeker Chronicles’, is a combination of dark fantasy, horror, and classic high and epic fantasy elements, while touching on more serious themes like acceptance, friendships, depression, and addiction.
How do you approach world-building in your novels?
In my opinion, world-building is one of the most enjoyable parts of writing. It is often associated with the fantasy genre, but it really applies to any book. Even a story set in today’s world requires the writer to develop a setting, selecting the places, characters and rules he or she will follow and present in the book.
In my case, I usually learn about the world at the time of writing, with the characters as they progress in their own life. It is a time consuming approach, but it is also much more fun. It allows me to enjoy the mystery of the world, at least for a while. It is more time consuming, because it means I have to come back, and review the story once I know more about the world, to make certain everything aligns and that I’m not breaking any rules or going against any history detail. From what I understand, many authors write a long first draft and then have to come back, and cut it down, remove the fat. I work in the opposite direction. My initial drafts are short, often with little background details or without a conclusion. With every revision, I add details, background information, and layers to the story.
The only exception to this approach are the stories taking place in the world of Arvelas, like my novella The Conclave and my upcoming dark fantasy series The Baneseeker Chronicles. This is because I first created the world of Arvelas as a teenager, while playing and hosting tabletop role-playing games. It is a world I’ve travelled to a lot over the years and that I know very well. There is still a world-building element to any story I write in Arvelas, but it has much more background information to draw from than the settings of my other stories.
What role do maps play in your world-building process?
I love maps, and they play a huge role in each story I write. They help immensely in defining the world, and any given location. They also help better understand a city or village, as they often present the resources available in the surrounding areas. Finally, a good map can also determine or help determine the actions or events that will take place.
Having a map before starting to write is a big help, but more often than not, I jump into the writing, and create the map later. This means that I have to come back and make adjustments or corrections in the story, because it’s not always possible to produce a map that aligns with everything in the text. I’m no expert in geography, but there are basic rules that any map needs to follow.
That means that with each story I write, I draw several maps on the side. Some are of villages or cities, some of countries, some of the whole world, and some of a building or a clearing in the woods. For example, for my latest epic fantasy book, The Stranger of Ul Darak, I have a map of the village of Valdur with its houses and buildings, another of Valdur and its surrounding areas, one of the building dedicated to the god of ice, one of the main character’s house, including its first and second floor. I have a world map, with all the countries, and the Final Horizon, the barrier protecting the world. I also have one of Tar’Halia, which is where the Sentinels, powerful wizards in this story, live and study. Many of these maps made it into the book, because I think they can provide value to the reader as well.
Before I go, I’d like to take a moment to thank Tom Edwards for this interview and for all the great work he’s done for me so far. I wouldn’t be where I’m at in my writing journey without people like Tom.
Steve C. Eston’s passion for storytelling shines through in his richly detailed worlds and character-driven narratives. With a deep love for fantasy and science fiction, he continues to craft stories that explore themes of loyalty, friendship, and adventure.
As he looks ahead, Eston remains committed to writing immersive fiction that resonates with readers. Whether through epic fantasy or thought-provoking sci-fi, his work is a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of great storytelling.
If you'd like to learn a little bit more about my own process, Steve interviewed me back in 2023! You can find the interview here
Kenny Gould
'The more you can do to help a world come to life, the better the story will be!'
Kenny Gould is a writer and entrepreneur from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a degree from Duke University, an MFA from Chatham University, and an MBA from NYU Stern.
Prior to writing fiction, Kenny covered food and beverage for Forbes, Men’s Health, Bon Appetit, and more. He’s also the founder of Hop Culture, an online magazine featuring stories from the craft beer industry.
To date, Kenny has written several fantasy fiction books, three of which have covers designed by Tom Edwards. If you want to see the works Kenny and Tom have done together, check out The Castle of 1,000 Doors, the first book in Kenny’s Toroth-Gol series. Kenny also recently published The Potionmaster, the first book in a new fantasy fiction series. You can keep in touch with Kenny on Instagram at @hopcultureken or join his email newsletter list here.
The Interview
Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?
Before I decided to start publishing my fiction, I spent a decade writing manuscripts and quietly burying them beneath the lint and unsharpened pencils in the bottom drawer of my desk.
At some point, I realized that was silly. Why write if I wouldn’t let anyone see my work? I’m a creative at heart, so I decided to go the self-publishing route, though I’m also a professional, and I wanted my books feel as much like a “real” book as possible.
This desire led me to Tom. From the very first work I saw in his portfolio, I knew he’d be able to convey the humor, action, and excitement of my series through the cover. And isn’t that the point of a cover? To set effective reader expectations?
Tom was my first choice for an artist and I’m so enamored with the work we’ve done together. I couldn’t recommend working with him more highly!
What was the best part of working with Tom to design your cover?
Prior to my career as a fiction writer, I started a digital magazine called Hop Culture, which threw beer festivals around the United States and had its own line of glassware and apparel. In that role, I worked with many awesome artists including Killer Acid, Sam Taylor, Yeye Weller, Pseudodudo, and Lauren Martin, to name a few.
Just like those artists, Tom is a professional. It doesn’t matter that he’s designing book covers while they designed festival posters or beer glasses—the best artists I’ve worked with were able to take my vision, combine it with their own, and create something greater than the sum of its parts.
You’ve had a really interesting pathway to writing fantasy fiction! How do you find yourself writing in this genre? And how do you navigate writing books in various distinct genres?
When I was seventeen, I went to a boarding school outside Boston, Massachusetts. It was an old school that dates back to 1778 and I’m pretty sure the insulation in my dorm hadn’t been updated since it was founded. At night, I liked to read in bed, but when I was done I’d have to get up, run across the frigid room, and turn out the lights.
I decided to solve this problem by buying a lamp. Only, when I went to the store, the only thing in stock was functionally a battery pack with a lightbulb. Still, it served my purposes. I brought it back to my room, stuck it to the ceiling with double-sided tape, and read from beneath the warm coziness of my comforter.
At around two in the morning, the tape failed and the whole thing dropped ten feet, where it shattered over my head. I don’t know if you’ve ever been woken up by two pounds of glass, plastic, and batteries smacking you in the face at 9.8 meters per second, but it’s quite unpleasant. After I got everything cleaned up, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I tossed and turned for about an hour, and just when I was about to fall asleep, I heard a voice: “We left for a reason.”
I’m a pretty grounded individual and I don’t believe in ghosts, spirits, or anything similar. Honestly, I think I was just tired and a little loopy from the blow to the head. But that night, I swear I heard a voice. I started to think: Who left? For what reason?
In the morning, I opened a new Word document on my computer and wrote, “We left for a reason.” And then I kept writing, trying to answer those other questions.
Sixty thousand words later, I had my first manuscript. I’ve always loved reading and I suppose it was only natural I’d make the transition to becoming a writer. For me, writing fiction and writing non-fiction are expressions of the same skill. I don’t see them as mutually exclusive. In my opinion, the goal of any story is to use the reader’s time in a way that he or she is happy they spent it with you and not one of another billion competitors for their attention. This applies to fiction and non-fiction just the same.
What role, if any, do maps play in your world-building process?
During my first year in college, I commissioned a French cartographer to design three maps: one of a world, one of a continent, and one of a city. Those are the places I write to this day!
In my opinion, anything that helps ground you better in a fantasy world is a service to the story, whether it’s models, character sketches, maps, etc. The more you can do to help a world come to life, the better the story will be!
Can you describe your typical writing routine?
I write best in the morning. I usually get up around 5:45 AM or 6:00 AM, walk the dog, tell my cats they’re very special, make coffee, and then I write until 9:00 AM, when I get ready for my day job as the VP of Sales at a tech company.
I have to write in the morning and I need coffee, or nothing works. I don’t think I’m unusual in that way.
What books, authors, or life experiences have had a significant impact on your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?
Some of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, Annie Dillard, MFK Fisher, and Michael Chabon. I love the dark, dry humor of British fantasy authors like Roald Dahl, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Mark Lawrence.
Is there anything you would’ve done differently when starting out?
There’s a great book by Austin Kleon called Show Your Work, which is all about exposing your process to the outside world—and following through on your projects to make sure those get seen, as well.
When I first started writing, I didn’t show my work. I wrote thousands of pages and put them in a drawer. I never let them see the light of day.
If I could’ve done anything differently, I would’ve let people read those stories. Maybe they were terrible, but the only way to grow is to get feedback. Think about this—by hiding my stories, I missed out on years of growth. Where would I be now if I’d had the courage to get feedback from the beginning? So now I’m making up for lost time!
Can you provide any insights into your upcoming projects?
On the book side, I’m slowly but surely working on the the fourth book in the Toroth-Gol series, and I have a few other projects coming out this year, including a cozy fantasy. The best way to stay up-to-date on those projects is to follow my personal Instagram at @hopcultureken or join my email newsletter list here.
Daniel Arenson
'I think stories of good vs. evil resonate with people through the generations. They might sometimes go out of style but they’ll always keep making comebacks'
Daniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. The Huffington Post has called his writing "full of soul." He's written over forty novels, most of them in five series.
Arenson gained widespread recognition with his "Song of Dragons" trilogy, which captivated readers with its epic tales of war, magic, and dragonkind. His "Earthrise" series further cemented his reputation, blending military sci-fi with rich character development and intricate plotting. Over the years, Arenson has published numerous bestselling series, including "Requiem" and "Moth," each known for their immersive worlds and compelling narratives.
The Interview
Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?
I first hired Tom in 2015 to create the cover for my first science fiction novel, Alien Hunters. A few months prior, Tom painted the cover for Nick Webb’s bestselling novel Constitution. The cover for Constitution really impressed me (and all who saw it). At the time, I had already written several fantasy novels, but I was new to science fiction. I contacted Tom and was very lucky that he agreed to create the cover for Alien Hunters. Since then, I’ve written 44 science fiction novels, and Tom created the covers for every one.
What was the best part of working with Tom to design your cover?
Tom is a real pro. He always communicates promptly, works to understand what I want, shows me drafts, updates me on the progress, and will make any necessary changed until the work is perfect. I think he creates some of the best covers in the industry.
You’ve written over 80 novels! With so many different themes, characters and settings, how do you describe your writing career?
I've written 87 novels. 89 if you include two unpublished books. How would I describe my writing career? I’m an indie author who loves fantasy and science fiction and writes a lot. That’s about all there is to it. I was five or six when I read my first book by myself. I was thirteen when I started writing my own stories. I just kept going with it, and it’s an honor to share my stories with other people. For me, it’s all about the joy of storytelling and literature.
Are there any books you’ve written that you’ve never published, or ideas for novels you’ve shelved?
I have two very old, very unpublished books. I wrote one when I was 20 (back in the year 2000), another when I was 23. They are my second and third novels. This was from before the days of Kindles and indie publishing. My first novel, which I wrote when I was 19, was published by a small press. But I couldn’t find a publisher to take on my second and third books, so they never saw the light of day. At some point, Kindles and Amazon became popular, and I began indie publishing. Those old unpublished novels are probably still sitting somewhere on a dusty hard drive somewhere.
In the Moth series and others, you share maps, music, artwork and an encyclopedia specific for each world you create. This is quite unusual so I’m interested in hearing how these different facets come about and the importance of them in your broader writing.
One reason I love fantasy is the worldbuilding. Universes like Middle Earth, Realm of the Elderlings, The Cosmere—they all have such lush, beautiful worldbuilding. Moth is a much smaller universe (there are only six novels in the series), but I wanted to delve into the worldbuilding and make the experience immersive.
Are there particular real-world mythologies or histories that influence your fantasy worlds?
I'm often inspired by ancient Semitic mythology and history. You can see that most clearly in my series Kingdoms of Sand, which is set in a fictionalized ancient Middle East. But there are also many influences of Hebrew mythology in my latest series, A Prayer for Earthrise. One exception is my series Soldiers of Earthrise, which was influenced by the Philippine–American War. Many elements in that series were inspired by Filipino culture and folklore.
How do you define the difference between sci-fi and fantasy?
I don’t think you can come up with one definition for each genre that captures every work perfectly. The two genres are related. Star Trek is clearly science fiction. Lord of the Rings is clearly fantasy. Star Wars? Not so clear. It includes elements from science fiction, obviously, such as starships. But it also includes traditional fantasy tropes, such as knights, princesses, wizards, monsters, and magic. I think the two genres often meet and intersect.
Are there particular themes or messages you like to explore in your writing?
No, not really. I don’t intentionally set out to include themes or messages, though maybe some themes – loyalty, honor, the value of friendship – naturally make their way into my works.
How do you keep track of all the details in your world-building to ensure consistency throughout your series?
Spreadsheets. Lots of spreadsheets that keep track of characters, locations, and alien species. And Word documents that include timelines and details on weapons, starships, organizations, and so on. I still end up forgetting a lot, and sometimes I must go back over old novels to remember.
Have there been any unexpected developments in your stories or characters that even surprised you as the author?
All the time. My characters tend to lead the way. I usually have a general pathway for them to follow, but they take detours on their own. Many big things that happened to my characters – deaths, weddings, characters who get together, who divorce, who have children, who lose limbs, who discover new powers – those were never planned in advance.
The fantasy genre often deals with good vs. evil. How do you navigate these themes in your work?
In this century, there’s been a trend toward morally ambiguous characters and conflicts that don’t necessarily involve good vs. evil. Examples are works like A Song of Ice and Fire or The Stormlight Archive, where it’s not always clear which side is “good” and which is “evil.” Those works can offer complexity and, arguably, a more realistic view of how our own world works. Personally, I think that classic good vs. evil – which can sometimes be seen as naïve or simplistic -- has an important place in our genre. Through good vs. evil stories, we can explore the nature of morality and sacrifice. Tolkien understood this. I think stories of good vs. evil resonate with people through the generations. They might sometimes go out of style but they’ll always keep making comebacks. As humans living in a world full of evil, we crave stories that can show us the heroism of good people.
Can you provide any insights into your upcoming projects? Are there specific themes or ideas that you're excited to explore in your future works?
I'm currently working on the last two novels in A Prayer for Earthrise. After that, I’ll be writing a series titled Freedom Fleet, a spinoff to the Starship Freedom series. You can learn all about my works on my website: DanielArenson.com
What initially sparked your interest in writing, and how did you discover your passion for storytelling?
I was born in Israel in 1980. Back then and there, we only had one TV channel, which broadcast in black and white, and only for a few hours in the afternoon. There wasn’t much to watch. And I didn’t yet have a computer or game system. And I was no good at sports. But I did have a local library. So much of my childhood was spent reading. I kept returning to the library for more. In 1991, I stumbled across a book called Dragons of Winter’s Night. It was the second novel in Dragonlance Chronicles. I loved the cover and picked up the book, not even realizing it’s a sequel, and read it. I was blown away. It was my first time reading fantasy. Since then, fantasy and science fiction became my favorite genres, and I’d grab everything I could find from those genres. I started writing my own stories when I was thirteen. When I was fourteen, I wrote a novella – it was about 50 pages long – about a post-apocalyptic world, in which the last human survivors battle against robots (the robots were basically ripped off from the Terminator franchise). When I was fifteen, I began to write a fantasy novel. I reached about 400 pages, then ran out of steam and stopped. I was nineteen when I wrote my first “real” novel, titled Firefly Island. Now I’m 44 and still going.
Can you share a bit about your writing process? Do you outline meticulously or let the story unfold as you write?
I create basic outlines divided into the main acts, with bullet points for the big plot events I want to happen in each act. I want to have some roadmap, but I leave enough room for the writing to flow and the characters to have some control.
How do you approach creating and developing characters? Are they inspired by real people, purely imagined, or a mix of both?
For me, creating the characters is the most important part. That’s my top priority. Before plot, before worldbuilding, before anything else—I want to make sure I get the characters right. I think the greatest stories, the ones that stay with you forever, have great characters. Years later, we might not remember the plot of Lord of the Rings, but we’ll remember Gandalf. We might not remember what happened in Dragonlance, but we’ll remember Raistlin and Caramon. I want to create characters that resonate like that. I don’t always succeed. But it’s something that’s always on my mind.
How do you feel your writing has evolved over time? Are there specific elements or themes that you find yourself consistently drawn to, or have you noticed a significant shift in your style?
I think my work has gotten less “dark.” In the early 2010s, I was inspired by grimdark works, for example A Game of Thrones. And I tried to write grim, dark fantasy, full of violence and despair (though always with some hope shining through). About fifteen years ago, I went through a phase where I wanted my fantasy works – trilogies like Dragonlore and The Dragon War – to basically feel like a death metal album. Just intense and brutal and unrelenting. I think my current science fiction works, such as A Prayer for Earthrise, are less grim. While they still depict loss and violence, they tend to include more humor and moments of levity.
You’ve got a very generous section on your website for advice for other authors. What would you say is the most important of these?
Love reading and love books. Writing is a career. But books are also a hobby and a passion. Understand the business of writing—how to market, how to make money. But never forget that writing is about the love of books.
"Thank you for interviewing me, Tom. And thank you for all the great covers!"
You can download three of Daniel's books for FREE on his website: DanielArenson.com
*The title and text design for Daniel's covers was done by Rebekah Haskell of Vivid Design.
AI Statement
My stance on AI art and it's usage
As an artist committed to the authenticity and integrity of my craft, I hereby declare that I will not incorporate any form of AI-generated art in my work. While advancements in artificial intelligence have undoubtedly expanded the creative landscape, I firmly believe in the unique expression and human touch that traditional artistic methods afford.
Art, to me, is a deeply personal and emotive endeavor that stems from the human experience, creativity, and imagination. By abstaining from AI-generated art, I uphold the values of originality, individuality, and the human connection inherent in every brushstroke, line, and composition.
I embrace the challenges and limitations of traditional mediums, finding inspiration in the tangible process of creation and the intimate dialogue between artist and medium. My work is a reflection of my personal journey, beliefs, and experiences, and I am dedicated to preserving the authenticity of this expression.
In a world increasingly influenced by technology, I stand firm in my commitment to the timeless traditions of artistry and craftsmanship. I believe that true artistry lies not in the replication or automation of creativity, but in the authentic exploration of the human spirit and its boundless capacity for expression.
Fantasy
Embark on a fantastical journey through my enchanting fantasy illustrations, where mythical creatures, magical landscapes, and epic adventures come to life with every stroke of the brush. Immerse yourself in a realm of wonder and imagination, where the extraordinary awaits at every turn.
Meet The Authors
Meet some of the amazing authors I've had the privilege of collaborating with. In this interview series, I delve into their writing processes, influences, inspirations, techniques of worldbuilding, and the advice they have for aspiring writers.
Book Cover Offers
Unlock the visual allure of your narrative with my exclusive book cover offers, blending artistry and storytelling seamlessly. From custom designs to captivating premade covers, my offers ensure your book stands out, leaving a lasting impression on readers from the very first glance
New Partnership - £600
Building strong partnerships with authors is something I deeply value. Throughout my extensive career, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with countless authors—some of whom have entrusted me to design over 100 book covers for their works.
As an opportunity to introduce you to my thorough creative process, this offer allows you to collaborate with me on the development of an entirely bespoke book cover, with a predefined, transparent pricing structure.
This comprehensive package contains the e-book cover, audiobook cover, paperback formatting, along with high-resolution 4k artwork and 3D cover render.
Saving over £400! (On Paperback Package + Extras)
New Author - £400
As a new author, securing the publication for your first work can be difficult. One of the more difficult aspects is finding a great artist for your book cover who can offer both quality and value for money. With this offer, you'll receive an entirely bespoke, fully painted custom cover.
This unique proposition ensures that you receive an all-encompassing, premium cover creation experience, marked by uncompromising quality, all at a remarkably competitive price point.
This comprehensive package contains the e-book cover, paperback formatting, along with high-resolution 4k artwork.
Saving over £600! (On Paperback Package + Extras)
Author Referral - £150 Voucher
As a valued existing client, whenever you refer a new author to me, you'll receive £150 off your next cover, demonstrating my appreciation for your continued partnership and support. (The new author must purchase a new cover before the voucher is sent).
This offer also coincides with the ‘New Author’ or ‘New Partnership’ offers, meaning everyone saves!
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
General
This is the privacy statement for Tom Edwards Design, with a registered office at in relation to the use of personal information provided at demo-tomedwardsdesign.blue-ring.co.uk.
"You", "Your" refers to you the customer/ user.
"We", "Us", "Our", "Tom Edwards Design" refers to Tom Edwards Design.
"Our Website" refers to this website (demo-tomedwardsdesign.blue-ring.co.uk).
We know that You will want to know exactly what information We gather about You as a user of Our Website, and how We intend to use (and just as importantly, not use) that information.
We will try to keep everything in this document as straightforward as possible, but if there’s anything You don’t understand, please get in touch with Us.
The headings in this Privacy Statement are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.
The masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter and the singular the plural and vice versa.
If any provision or part of any provision of these Privacy Statement is found by a court or other competent authority to be void or unenforceable, such provision or part of a provision shall be deleted from these Privacy Statement and the remaining provisions or parts of the provision shall continue to be in full force and effect.
What information We collect and how
Information you give us
- When you create an account we collect information that allows us to set up or open your account, such as your name, date of birth, address, email address, phone number and password;
- When you contact us for any reason including for support or to give us feedback;
- When you participate in optional surveys or product research;
- Any information You type in or attach and submit while using Our Website.
Information we get when you use our website
- Your Internet Protocol ("IP") address which is automatically logged by Our website;
- Your device and browser details;
- Your device advertising identifiers, such as iOS IDFAs and Android Advertising IDs;
- Your usage information such as the pages you viewed and the features you use on our website;
- Any information You type in or attach and submit while using Our Website.
Information from cookies
Cookies can be placed on your device to help us distinguish you from other users that are visiting our website at the same time and to store your preferences. You can read more about Cookies and how we use them in our .
How do We use Your information
In general, we will use the personal information we collect from you only for the purposes described in this Privacy Statement or for purposes we provide at the time we collect your personal information.
Providing, improving and protecting our website
We only collect personal information to:-
- Provide you with the use of our website and its features;
- Personalise your experience;
- Provide technical support;
- Protect the security and safety of our website, our customers, Tom Edwards Design, and others;
- Otherwise operate our business.
Communicating with you
From time to time we may communicate with you, including to:
- Provide you with important information about Our Website;
- Send you information about Tom Edwards Design, other Tom Edwards Design products and services, special offers, and Our website software updates;
Analysing Your information
We may use both manual and automated systems, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to:-
- Analyse your information to improve our website and personalise your experience;
- Automate certain aspects of our website;
- Protect the safety and security of our website, our customers and others.
How We share Your information
From time to time, we may need to share your personal information, but we will only share your personal information for the following reasons:-
- With your consent;
- For legal reasons. We may share your personal information with third-parties for legal reasons, including:
- To prevent fraud and for debt collection;
- To enforce, remedy, or apply any agreements;
- To protect against or defend our website against attacks;
- To protect the rights, property, or safety of Tom Edwards Design, our website, our customers, or others;
- When we reasonably believe disclosure is required or permitted in order to comply with a subpoena, court order, or other applicable law, regulation or legal process.
- If we are involved with a merger, asset sale, financing, liquidation, bankruptcy, or the acquisition of all or part of our business to another company, we may share your information with that company and its advisors before and after the transaction date.
What You can do to manage Your privacy
You can find information on changing your browser settings to opt-out of Cookies or make changes to your Cookies settings below.
Cookes
In order to comply with EU rules, We use a system of classifying the different types of cookies which We use or may use in the future on Our Website. The classification was developed by the International Chamber of Commerce UK and explains more about which cookies We use or may use in the future, why We use or may use them them, and the functionality You will lose if You decide you don't want to have them on Your device.
What is a cookie?
Cookies are text files containing small amounts of information which are downloaded to Your personal computer, mobile or other device when You visit a website. Cookies are then sent back to the originating website on each subsequent visit, or to another website that recognises that cookie. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user's device.
Persistent cookies - these cookies remain on a user's device for the period of time specified in the cookie. They are activated each time that the user visits the website that created that particular cookie.
Session cookies - these cookies allow website operators to link the actions of a user during a browser session. A browser session starts when a user opens the browser window and finishes when they close the browser window. Session cookies are created temporarily. Once You close the browser, all session cookies are deleted.
Cookies do lots of different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, and generally improve the user experience. They can also help to ensure that adverts You see online are more relevant to You and Your interests.
Cookies used on Our Website
A list of all the cookies that are use and may be used in the future on Our Website, by category, is set out below.
STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES
These cookies enable services You have specifically asked for. For these types of cookies that are strictly necessary, no consent is required.
These cookies are essential in order to enable You to move around Our Website and to use its features, such as accessing secure areas.
| Cookie | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| s | This cookie contains a session ID which is a mechanism for distinguishing different users' visits when multiple users are visiting the website at the same time. It is essential for interactive use of the site. | Session |
PERFORMANCE AND ANALYTICS COOKIES
These cookies collect anonymous information on the pages visited. You agree that we can place these types of cookies on Your device following Your acceptance via the cookie information popup.
These cookies collect information about how visitors use Our Website, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from the web pages visited. These cookies don't collect information that identifies a visitor. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. It is only used to improve how Our Website works.
We do not use this type of cookie on Our Website.
Functional cookies
These cookies remember choices You make to improve Your experience. You agree that we can place these types of cookies on Your device following Your acceptance via the cookie information popup.
These cookies allow Our Website to remember choices You make (such as Your user name, language or the region You are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes You have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that You can customise. They may also be used to provide services You have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track Your browsing activity on other websites.
We do not use this type of cookie on Our Website.
Targeting or advertising cookies
These cookies collect information about Your browsing habits in order to make advertising relevant to You and Your interests. You agree that we can place these types of cookies on Your device following Your acceptance via the cookie information popup.
These cookies are used to deliver adverts more relevant to You and Your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times You see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with our permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers. Quite often targeting or advertising cookies will be linked to site functionality provided by the other organisation.
We do not use this type of cookie on Our Website.
Using browser settings to manage cookies
We have put together two guides to help You control or delete cookies. They are:
Because cookies allow You to take advantage of some essential features of Our Website, we recommend You leave them turned on. If You leave cookies turned on, remember to sign out when You finish using a shared computer.
Data retention and destruction
Unless you specifically request your information to be deleted and/ or de-identified by contacting us, we retain your information for 5 years. After this period has elapsed your personal information will be deleted and/ or de-identified from our website.
There may be occasions where we are unable to fully delete or de-identify your information due to technical or other operational reasons, for example where your information has been archived onto back-up systems. Where this is the case, we will take reasonable measures to securely isolate your information from any further processing until such time as we are able to delete or de-identify it.
If you request that we delete or de-identify your information within the 5 year retention period there may be some details that we would legally have to retain, such as information for financial record keeping. This information will automatically be deleted or de-identified at the end of the statutory retention period.
Your rights
You have certain rights with respect to your information that we collect and process. We respond to all requests we receive from individuals wishing to exercise their data protection rights in accordance with applicable data protection laws. To file a request or take action on one of your rights, please contact us.
Access, correction or deletion
You can access, correct or delete your personal information by contacting us.
Please note that even if you request for your information to be deleted, certain aspects may be retained for us:-
- To meet our legal or regulatory compliance (e.g. maintaining records of transactions you have made with us);
- To exercise, establish or defend legal claims;
- To protect against fraudulent or abusive activity on our website;
- Due to technical reasons;
- Due to operational reasons.
Objection and restriction
You may object to our processing of your personal information or ask us to restrict processing of your personal information.
Portability
You may request portability of your personal information.
Withdraw consent
If we have collected and processed your personal information with your consent, you can withdraw your consent at any time. Withdrawing your consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing we conducted prior to your withdrawal, nor will it affect processing of your personal information conducted in reliance on lawful processing grounds other than consent.
File a complaint
You have the right to file a complaint with us about our collection and processing of your personal information, this can be done via our contact page.
Security of Your information
We understand that the security of your personal information is important to you. We provide appropriate technical and organizational security controls to protect your personal information. However, even with our best efforts, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of your personal information.
International data transfers
All information is processed and stored in the UK. We do not process or store your information in other countries, however your personal information may be transfered outside of the UK, if you are accessing our website via a PROXY service or from another country, to service your requests.
Collection and use of children’s personal information
Our website is intended for and directed to individuals 18 or over and we do not knowingly collect information from minors.
Other websites
This Privacy Statement only covers Our Website. Any other websites which may be linked to by Our Website are subject to their own policy, which may differ from Ours.
Changes to our Privacy Statement
This Privacy Statement replaces all previous versions. We reserve the right to change the Privacy Statement at any time.
Copyright Notice
Protecting our creativity. Explore our content responsibly. Unauthorised use prohibited. Contact us for permissions. Respect copyright.
General
This is the Copyright Notice for Tom Edwards Design, with a registered office at in relation to the use of content and images provided at demo-tomedwardsdesign.blue-ring.co.uk.
"You", "Your" refers to you the customer/ user.
"We", "Us", "Our", "Tom Edwards Design" refers to Tom Edwards Design.
"Our Website" refers to this website (demo-tomedwardsdesign.blue-ring.co.uk).
We know that You will want to know exactly what information We gather about You as a user of Our Website, and how We intend to use (and just as importantly, not use) that information.
We will try to keep everything in this document as straightforward as possible, but if there’s anything You don’t understand, please get in touch with Us.
The headings in this Copyright Notice are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.
The masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter and the singular the plural and vice versa.
If any provision or part of any provision of these Copyrigt Notice is found by a court or other competent authority to be void or unenforceable, such provision or part of a provision shall be deleted from these Copyright Notice and the remaining provisions or parts of the provision shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Copyright Notice
All images and content on Our website, social media accounts, and any other digital or printed materials are protected by copyright law. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of our images and content is strictly prohibited.
Permitted Use:
- You may view our images and content;
- You may share our content and images on social media platforms using the provided sharing tools, ensuring we are credited for the work.
Prohibited Use:
- Copying, reproducing, or modifying any images or content without our explicit written permission is not allowed;
- Commercial use, distribution, or public display of our images and content without our permission is strictly prohibited;
- Removing or altering any copyright or proprietary notices from our images or content is prohibited.
How to Obtain Permission
For inquiries regarding the use of our images and content, please contact us.
Legal Action
We reserve the right to take legal action against any individual or entity found to be in violation of our copyright.
Changes to our Copyright Notice
This Copyright Notice replaces all previous versions. We reserve the right to change the Copyright Notice at any time.
L. E. Thomas
'I don't remember a time I wasn't interested in storytelling. My earliest memories are of my mother taking me to the library and reading books.'
L.E. Thomas is the creator of the Star Runners Universe. From a young age, he was captivated by tales of brave warriors, futuristic technology, and alien planets. Now, he brings those childhood dreams to life, crafting the kind of books he has always wanted to read. What began as scribbles in a notebook has grown into a vast and immersive universe filled with endless adventures. Readers are invited to embark on thrilling journeys among the stars.
You can find his work here.
The Interview
Your Star Runners series has a high school senior called Austin Stone as one of the main characters. I’m interested if this character is based on anyone you know or your former self?
I originally wrote the book for a young man I was mentoring to encourage him to read more for fun, so he was the original inspiration. However, friends told me Austin Stone is me – especially in the first book. I vividly remember feeling as a high school senior the same way he did about the next step in life, which I am sure we all feel the same when we are about to leave home for the first time. There is uncertainty about that next phase, which is terrifying and only magnified when your friends appear to have it all figured out. I felt the same as Austin.
Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?
I had long admired Tom’s work and visited his excellent website often before I reached out to see if we could work together. I always thought he had a way of creating these imagination-boosting images that made me want to enter them and find out more, which is what great art can accomplish seemingly without effort. Tom does that with every piece of art he produces.
How do you approach designing and portraying your detailed game worlds in your novels?
Great question! In many ways, I have been creating these worlds for nearly thirty years since middle school with my friend C.G. Adams. We created a game called Star Runners, and we spent countless hours dreaming and creating. We never really stopped.
What set Tom apart from other book cover designers you’ve seen or worked with?
I have never had an artist so quickly transform my initial ideas and take them to the next level. I always see what he produced from minimal input from me to create something beyond what I even thought possible. Tom is a gift.
Can you share a bit about your writing process? Do you outline meticulously or let the story unfold as you write? And how does this alter if you’re writing short fiction or series?
I have been a writer my entire life, but my process has evolved. I now write every morning at 4 a.m. It is the best time of the day and my favorite time to create. I do not outline every story beat or character moment, but I like to have a general idea of the story and an overall objective of each chapter. I do that whether writing short fiction or an entire novel or series.
What makes you come back to Tom to design your covers?
Tom’s work has become synonymous with my Star Runners Universe series. From the moment his first cover for my work dropped, and I saw it online, I knew I would keep coming back to him forever. There is something special about his art. It has an X factor that is difficult to describe but comes alive.
Historically, sci-fi is a genre often associated with power and masculinity but it’s great to see other genders in your stories! Was this an intentional choice or something that came about organically through writing?
Thank you so much! It wasn't so much of a choice as I wanted the story to be real for young people reading, who were the target audience. Women have always been an essential part of my life, so I wanted them to be a part of Austin's experience. Doing anything less felt unreal, and I wanted this story to entertain and feel authentic to young readers. As it turned out, many of my favorite characters in the story are women, and many readers worldwide who have been kind enough to write me are women.
What was the best part of working with Tom to design your cover?
The communication and ease with which Tom creates original art are impressive and intoxicating—that is not hyperbole. I also enjoy approving original art and never worrying about Tom using clipart or other images appearing elsewhere. Collaborating on covers can be stressful, but that is never the case with Tom.
How do you keep track of all the details in your world-building to ensure consistency throughout your series?
Another excellent question! I created a series, "wiki," a long time ago and have added to it as time has gone on. It was really important—especially at the beginning—to weave together so many books into the final two of the series.
What was the process of working with Tom on your cover; did you find anything helpful that other illustrators haven’t offered you previously?
I love seeing the first draft and watching the art progress with each round. I enjoy that aspect more than just seeing a final copy to approve.
Have there been any unexpected developments in your stories or characters that surprised even you as the author?
Of course! There have been characters who came out of nowhere and others who played a more significant role than I ever expected. For example, people who have read the first book may be surprised that Bear just appeared at the stairs in my mind the night they all left for their trip. I hadn't planned on him being there, but he appeared as I wrote the scene. He ended up being one of my favorite characters. There have been other scenes I never intended to have or that expanded beyond what I had expected. That's one of many reasons I love writing and never want to outline things too strictly. It destroys the discovery of writing.
What initially sparked your interest in writing, and how did you discover your passion for storytelling?
I don't remember a time I wasn't interested in storytelling. My earliest memories are of my mother taking me to the library and reading books. I was hooked the first time someone liked a short creative essay in school.
Can you describe your typical writing routine? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone?
I struggle to write anytime other than early morning or late at night when the rest of the world is quiet. I also listen to instrumental music while writing and love to daydream on long walks. I cannot write without these ingredients.
What obstacles have you encountered in your writing journey, and how have you overcome them?
Time is always an obstacle. That's why I write early in the morning or late at night. Over the years, I have found that if you really want to be a writer, you will find the time to do it somehow—no matter how many jobs you have! And long walks are key. For some reason, they energize my writing and help me stay motivated.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting their journey or facing challenges in their creative pursuits?
Stick with it. If this is what you want, don't listen to anyone else. Write. Write every chance you get. Write. People will love your honesty. People will also hate your writing. Keep pushing. Keep writing. Know that it isn't easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.
Is there anything you would’ve done differently when starting out?
I would have written more sooner rather than waste so much time when I was younger. I also would not have listened to people who told me to focus on "my career" when I hated my day job. I have always loved writing. I haven't always loved my day job.
Can you provide any insights into your upcoming projects? Are there specific themes or ideas that you're excited to explore in your future works?
I will be finishing the Star Runners Universe series and cannot wait to finish the book with another incredible Tom Edwards cover! I hope the book will be released later this year. It's been a long journey, and I cannot wait to conclude the entire series for those who have stayed with me during this journey.
Important Notice
All images copyright Tom Edwards, please see my Copyright Notice for more details.
No AI is used in my creation process 