cathy helms
of 
avalon graphics

I began designing book covers back in 2009 – my first client was Helen Hollick (link: http://www.helenhollick.net/ ) The story is actually a little interesting. While perusing the fiction section at my local bookstore I spotted 'The Kingmaking' written by Helen (an author I had never heard of at this point). I devoured all three books she’d written, so I wrote to her with a letter of praise for her Pendragon's Banner Trilogy (which is now one of my favourite Arthur-centric novels of all time), and that initial contact led to her hiring me to re-design the cover for her pirate novel 'Sea Witch'....she just happened to be in the process of switching over to have all six of her novels re-printed through a new publisher (assisted publishing) - so she gave me a chance.

And she loved my concept so much that she hired me! I've been her personal designer ever since! I've also designed all of her marketing material, numerous book trailers and all of the graphics for her website. My association with Helen also led to several other UK authors hiring me to re-design their book jackets, so I have many more stories just like that that I could share too. But the one about Helen is my favourite and I consider her the person responsible for me becoming a book cover designer.

I have always been a creative soul, but I hadn’t found a specific outlet for that creativity until I discovered book cover design. I am also a life-long, fervent digital photographer and at times use my own photography in my design work. I grew up with dreams of becoming a filmmaker, or a singer, or an artist, and so I've always considered myself a creative soul. As a teenager, I sang in my school's choir, played the trumpet, and was student director of many school stage productions. I graduated with the distinction of being named Drama Student of the Year in 1985. But it wasn't until much later in my life that I returned to my creative roots and thus book cover design.

Having an author tell me that I’ve blown them away with what I’ve created for them – went above and beyond their expectations; that means the world to me. And I also love seeing a cover that I have designed in print where I can hold it in my hand. That feeling of satisfaction in a job well done never gets old.

    Do you have some special method you use when finding inspiration? (Music, meditation, nature…?) 

I always listen to music (a wide range of artists, styles and genres) and I often have candles burning in my office too. My office has a large window facing my front yard with a lovely view of trees, flowers and often birds and squirrels passing through. If I find myself particularly suffering from a creative block, a good walk outdoors always helps to clear my head.