Illustrated Poetry Book: Digital Art to Print

A self-published book of LGBTQ+ poetry featuring original digital illustrations, combining classical Greek sculptural influences with contemporary personal narrative. Written, illustrated, and published under my authorship as Sean August Horvath, the book has maintained consistent sales since its 2018 publication, including recent purchases in 2024.

Design Production Strategy
Digital Illustration Book Publishing Print Production Creative Direction Distribution Strategy Editorial Design
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Book Illustration
Book Illustration

Project Scope

  • Complete book conceptualization and execution
  • Original poetry writing and editing
  • Digital illustration creation for every poem
  • Book design and layout
  • Self-publishing process management
  • Post-publication marketing and distribution
Book Preview

The illustrations draw inspiration from classical Greek sculpture while incorporating contemporary elements from personal photography and memories. This fusion creates a unique visual narrative that complements the poetry's themes of love, growth, and self-discovery.

Book Preview

Publication Impact

  • Featured review on BookLife (Publishers Weekly platform)
  • Consistent sales through Barnes & Noble and local consignment
  • Particularly resonant with young LGBTQ+ readers
  • Successfully pitched to multiple literary blogs and media outlets
View on Barnes & Noble

Personal Note

Writing this book fulfilled dual purposes: personal catharsis and creating the kind of resource I wished existed during my own coming-of-age journey. While the poems capture the raw emotions of early-20s love, the project's true value lies in its contribution to LGBTQ+ youth literature and its demonstration of how personal experience can be transformed into professional creative work.

Illustration Color Studies

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Key Takeaways

This illustrated poetry book project demonstrates the successful intersection of digital art and traditional publishing. Through careful attention to both creative and technical aspects, we created a meaningful contribution to LGBTQ+ literature while establishing a sustainable presence in the publishing market. The project showcases how personal narrative can be transformed into professional creative work through thoughtful design and strategic execution.

Most importantly, it proves that digital illustration techniques can create powerful emotional connections when combined with carefully crafted poetry and professional production values.