After sharing my thoughts on how AI can be an invaluable resource for independent authors, I wanted to take that one step further and explain what that looks like in practice.
There’s often an assumption that AI-generated art means pressing a button and instantly getting a finished product. That couldn’t be further from the truth — at least not for me. My process is detailed, deliberate, and guided entirely by the story I’ve already written.
Here’s what really happens behind the scenes.
Step One: The Story Comes First
Every project begins with the writing. The characters, themes, and tone are all fully developed long before I create any visuals. By the time I open an AI tool, I already know exactly what my world looks and feels like — from colour palettes and moods to specific moments I want to capture.
The art simply becomes a way of translating what already exists in my imagination into something visible.
Step Two: Building a Visual Direction
Once the story is complete, I start with research and visual planning — much like a traditional illustrator would. I collect reference ideas for composition, lighting, and atmosphere, then craft highly specific prompts that describe what I’m imagining in detail.
These prompts aren’t copied from other artists. They’re descriptive scripts — carefully written to reflect the unique world of my book. I refine them repeatedly, adjusting phrasing until the tool begins to understand the tone and texture I want.
Step Three: Ethical and Original Creation
Ethics guide every step of my process. I never include real artists’ names or ask the system to imitate specific existing work. Every image is built from scratch, through experimentation, editing, and layering.
Often, I’ll generate dozens — sometimes hundreds — of test images before finding the right composition. From there, I digitally edit, combine, or adjust lighting, balance, and colour to align with my vision. It’s a process of curation, direction, and creative control — not automation.
Step Four: Refinement and Consistency
A book cover or illustration isn’t just a single image — it’s part of a cohesive world. Once I have a base image I’m happy with, I refine it to ensure it fits within the tone of the series or the emotional arc of the story.
For example, if a series has a soft pastel palette or a painterly storybook look, I make sure every visual element matches that mood. This helps each book feel unified, professional, and recognisable to readers.
Step Five: Bringing It All Together
Once the artwork is complete, I combine it with the final layout, typography, and formatting. Every detail — from spine width to title placement — is chosen carefully to balance aesthetic and readability.
What’s important to me is that the final result *feels human*. Every image, colour choice, and stylistic decision is the product of intention, not randomness. The AI is there to assist, but the direction and meaning are entirely mine.
Why I Share This
I believe in transparency. There’s a lot of misunderstanding surrounding AI in publishing, and I want readers — and fellow authors — to know that it’s possible to use these tools responsibly, respectfully, and creatively.
When handled with care, AI can empower storytellers who might otherwise never see their work in print. It can level the playing field, allowing independent authors to publish quality, imaginative books without facing impossible costs.
In my process, AI is not the creator. It’s a tool — much like a paintbrush, a camera, or a tablet. The art still begins in the same place it always has: with an idea, a heart, and a story worth telling.
In Part 3, I’ll be sharing how AI has changed my publishing journey — what I’ve learned from the challenges, the backlash, and the incredible opportunities it’s created for creative independence.
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