At the book launch for Same Same, someone (it might have been me) asked book designer turned author Peter Mendelsund about the experience of designing his own book’s cover. He said he would not do it again (Alex Merto designed the cover of his next book). The reasons he gave were unsurprising and likely inevitable for any book designer turned author in a similar situation. As I was listening to his sage advice, I knew that if ever I was given the choice, I would most definitely be designing my own book cover. Now three years later, I have.