Interview: How Authors Can Work Effectively with Book Designers with Howard Lovy and Allyson Longueira

Interview: How Authors Can Work Effectively with Book Designers with Howard Lovy and Allyson Longueira

From Self-Publishing with ALLi by Alliance of Independent Authors

April 22, 2026 · 44 min · Episode 788

About this episode

Howard Lovy interviews Allyson Longueira about effective collaboration between authors and book designers.

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Howard Lovy talks to Allyson Longueira, associate director of publishing at the graduate program in creative writing at Western Colorado University, about what authors need to understand about book design, from typography and interior layout to covers and branding. They discuss how design choices signal genre, how authors can better communicate with designers, and where to draw the line between creative control and trusting the experts. Longueira also explains how thoughtful design supports readability and market positioning, giving authors practical ways to approach the visual side of publishing with more confidence. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Show Notes Long Valley Press Western Colorado University MA in Creative Writing Allyson Longueira MA About the Host Howard Lovy is an author, developmental editor, and writing coach with a long career in journalism and publishing. He works with writers at…

People in this episode

Host: Howard Lovy

Guest: Allyson Longueira

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Organizations: Western Colorado University, Long Valley Press

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