A book cover has a big job to do, it needs to capture the feeling of a story, draw readers in and give them something they want to pick up, keep and display. With special editions, that experience doesn’t have to end there.

The thinking behind the work is to create illustrations that feel at home on the book itself, while also translating into physical pieces that readers can hold onto. Artwork becomes more than a cover, it becomes part of the world surrounding the book.

The partnership began with Chelsea Curto’s “Face Off” and has continued across the D.C. Stars series, with illustrated covers for “Power Play”, “Slap Shot” and “Hat Trick”. Alongside these, we’ve also created an illustrated cover for Bea Northwick’s “The Cruel Dark”, extending the work across different stories and genres.

Beyond the books, the collaboration has included a range of merchandise for Smut & Sip’s subscription boxes, from keyrings and enamel pins to tote bags and kindle charms. These pieces take the artwork beyond the printed page, giving readers something tangible to connect with the stories they love.

What started with a single cover has developed into a relationship built on continued collaboration. Each new project brings another opportunity to create something distinctive, whether that’s a new cover or an illustration translated into a completely different format.

Working together over time means building an understanding of the brand, its audience and the role artwork plays in the overall experience. The result is a growing body of work that connects the books, the merchandise and the people collecting them.

Because the best part of creating art for books is seeing it become part of someone’s reading experience. And with Smut & Sip, that experience can extend well beyond the final page.