Brian's guest this week is graphic designer Lauren Panepinto. Lauren is the creative director and a book designer for Orbit Books, where she has worked on covers for many of your favorite science fiction and fantasy authors including, by happy coincidence, Brian's! She’s also a vice president at Hachette Book Group and has written and lectured extensively about art and graphic design both online and in person at massive conventions, colleges, and art schools. Lauren and Brian talk extensively about the huge amount of work that goes into creating a book cover, often using the Powder Mage Trilogy and Gods of Blood and Powder as examples. They also talk about how Lauren’s nerdiness got her into design, how the state of diverse representation helps her stay in love with her job, the importance of self-insert, and why cover trends happen. Enjoy Brian's conversation with Lauren Panepinto! Find Lauren on Twitter and her website. Find Brian at his website, on Twitter and Instagram, or find his books on Amazon, direct from his bookstore, or wherever books are sold! Don't forget to support the show on Patreon, or pick up some swag on Redbubble. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.