Creative Director
CreativeAeysha Mahmood leads the creative vision at HMD Publishing, overseeing everything from book cover concepts to interior layout standards. With a sharp eye for design and a deep understanding of what sells in the publishing market, she ensures every project meets the highest visual and production standards. Aeysha manages the creative team and works closely with authors to translate their vision into professionally crafted books.
Matte or glossy? How each book cover finish looks and wears, which genres tend to use which, and exactly what Amazon KDP and IngramSpark offer for paperbacks and hardcovers.
The parts of a book, outside and in: covers, spine, joint and hinge, head, tail and fore-edge, endpapers and flaps, then front matter, body and back matter, all labelled in plain English.
The main types of book binding explained for self-publishers: perfect bound paperbacks, case bound hardcovers, saddle stitch booklets and coil binding, with the page-count limits and what KDP, IngramSpark and Lulu actually offer.
What interior book design covers, from trim size, margins and fonts to running heads and chapter openers, how to spot an amateur interior, and when to do it yourself or hire a designer.
How to calculate your book's spine width and full-wrap cover size for KDP and IngramSpark: the official per-page figures, bleed, spine text minimums and worked examples in inches and millimetres.
Hardcover vs paperback for self-published authors: what each costs to print on KDP, what you earn per copy, KDP case laminate vs IngramSpark jackets, ISBNs, and which format to print first.
The front matter of a book in the right order: half title, title page, copyright page, dedication, contents and more, plus back matter, page numbering and a printable checklist.
KDP ebook cover pixels, paperback full-wrap formulas in inches and cm, plus hardcover template notes and a 6×9 worked example.
Learn how to use Goodreads as an author in 2026: claim your profile, run giveaways, get reviews ethically, and avoid rookie mistakes. Full step-by-step guide.
Learn how to build an author website that sells books and grows your email list. Step-by-step guide with templates, examples, and 2026 data. Start today.
Learn how to write an author bio that builds trust and sells books. Get templates for short, medium & long bios, real examples, and expert tips inside.
Clear, practical guidance on taylor and francis author services for authors who need accurate next steps Guidance informed by Aeysha Mahmood. Avoid common
