In this episode we interview Jo Thomson, a freelance book cover designer who previously worked in-house at Pan Macmillan. Thomson is the recipient of a British Book Design & Production Award for Best Jacket for Not Working, by Lisa Owens. She also earned and ABCD Award for her cover design of Haus Frau, by Jill Alexander Essbaum.

"Designing the cover for The Wonder was a slightly daunting prospect. To begin with I received the brief just as Emma’s best-selling novel Room hit the cinemas, raising hopes ever higher for her newest book. In addition the hardback cover of her previous book, Frog Music designed by Katie Tooke and illustrated by Emma Farrarons, is one of my personal favourites.

So no pressure then…"

"Like many designers, I have always been a visual person, painting and drawing throughout my childhood. At the same time, I was a voracious reader and loved perusing books at bookstores, not just because I wanted to read them, but because I was also intrigued by their cover designs and the specific visuals chosen to represent the writing. For every book report I had in school, I took the time to illustrate a corresponding “book cover,” (which may or may not have helped my grade)."