GoOnWrite

GoOnWrite is the work of a single designer — James Helps — who has been creating book covers for 14 years. With over 5,000 premade designs spanning nearly every fiction and non-fiction genre, it holds one of the largest single-designer premade libraries in the self-publishing world. The site also offers tiered custom commissions for authors who need something original.

What You Get#

• Premade covers: 5,000+ designs starting from €45. Each purchase includes a 1,600 × 2,560-pixel JPEG, a 3D render, and a high-resolution black-and-white title page image. Title and author name customization is included.
• Express commissions: From €125; quick-turnaround custom covers using stock photography or MidJourney-generated imagery.
• Full commissions: From €300; fully collaborative process built around your concept, with up to 3 revision sets.
• Series covers: Available as multi-book sets, either premade or custom.
• Add-ons: Print-on-demand versions, alternative sizes, social media headers, and audiobook covers available for additional fees.

Who It's For#

• Budget-conscious fiction authors: Premades from €45 are among the most affordable custom-quality covers available.
• Series authors: James sells series sets, maintaining visual consistency across books.
• Authors who value a named designer: Every cover comes from the same creator with a documented 14-year track record.

Pricing: Premades from €45; Express commissions from €125; Full commissions from €300+. All prices in Euros — USD/GBP conversions approximate and fluctuate at checkout. No guaranteed delivery window; custom work is booked by availability with typical email response within 48 hours.

Strengths#

• Library scale: 5,000+ premades from a single designer is extraordinary — most designer-run shops offer dozens or hundreds of covers.
• Community reputation: Consistently praised on Kindle Boards for over a decade; multiple authors maintain 10+ year working relationships with James.
• Endorsed by The Creative Penn: James appeared on the podcast in January 2024 discussing AI in book cover design; listed as a recommended cover designer.
• Genre depth: Covers nearly every fiction genre including categories (erotic, western, holiday) many studios skip.

Limitations#

• Euro pricing: All prices are in Euros. USD buyers pay whatever the exchange rate dictates at checkout.
• No guaranteed turnaround: The FAQ explicitly states no fixed delivery time. Booking availability changes weekly.
• Print requires an add-on: Standard premade delivery is ebook format only. Print-on-demand versions cost extra.
• Email only: James doesn't take phone calls — all communication is via email.

AI in the Workflow#

Custom commissions may incorporate MidJourney-generated imagery alongside traditional stock photography, within a human-led creative process. James has written and spoken publicly about using AI as a design aid rather than a replacement for craft. Premades are existing hand-crafted designs.

Alternatives#

The Book Cover Designer (16,400+ covers, $8–$900 with a $75 median) is the closest competitor by library volume, with a multi-designer marketplace model. For authors who want a custom cover with a fixed turnaround, Ebook Launch ($497+ custom, $99 premade) and Miblart ($200+) both offer more structured timelines.