Five Illustrators Discuss Book Cover Artistry Amid Strong Publishing Market
The article profiles five book cover illustrators, highlighting their approaches and the current state of the publishing industry. Marianna Tomaselli, based in Milan, creates atmospheric digital covers for romance and mystery novels. Sarah J Coleman, a UK illustrator active since 1993, is known for calligraphic text and gothic linework, noting increased collaboration with self-publishing authors. Amanda Howell Whitehurst, from Jacksonville, Florida, employs retro styles inspired by mid-century pulp and comic art. Dawn XT Yang, a New York-based artist who won The Folio Award in 2025, focuses on emotional essence in her illustrations. Rohan Eason, a London illustrator with over 20 years of experience, uses pen-and-ink techniques reminiscent of 19th-century etchings. Industry data shows robust book sales, with 762.4 million copies sold in the US in 2025 and UK revenue reaching £1.8 billion, driven by trends like romantasy and cosy crime genres, as well as social media platforms such as BookTok and Bookstagram.
Key facts
- Five illustrators are profiled: Marianna Tomaselli, Sarah J Coleman, Amanda Howell Whitehurst, Dawn XT Yang, and Rohan Eason.
- In 2025, 762.4 million books were sold in the US, with UK revenue at £1.8 billion.
- Dawn XT Yang won The Folio Award in 2025 for her illustration of Rapunzel.
- Sarah J Coleman has been illustrating book covers since 1993 and works with both publishers and self-publishing authors.
- Trends like romantasy and cosy crime are boosting adult fiction sales, supported by social media communities such as BookTok.
Entities
Artists
- Marianna Tomaselli
- Sarah J Coleman
- Amanda Howell Whitehurst
- Dawn XT Yang
- Rohan Eason
Institutions
- The Folio Society
Locations
- Milan
- East Midlands
- Jacksonville, Florida
- New York City
- London