Dan Wagstaff
@danwagstaff.bsky.social
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Book stuff. Manager of expectations. Toronto. He/him. www.casualoptimist.com
reposted by
Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
4 days ago
Vyki Hendy recaps last night's Academy of British Cover Design Awards
spinemagazine.co/articles/abc...
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SPINE-ABCD Awards 2026!
The 13th Annual Academy of British Cover Design awards took place last night (March 5th) at Gigiās in Hoxton and was attended by the best and brightest in the design community. Jamie Keenan was there ...
https://spinemagazine.co/articles/abcd-awards-2026
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Bookalikes...
12 days ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
12 days ago
Here's my book cover round-up for February!
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/02...
#books
#design
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Book Covers of Note, February 2026
Hey. I hope youāre keeping safe and well, especially my friends and colleagues in snowy NYC. Thanks to everyone who helped with images and design credits this month ā itās been a ā¦
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/02/26/book-covers-of-note-february-2026/
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Hereās Februaryās book covers post!
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/02...
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Book Covers of Note, February 2026
Hey. I hope youāre keeping safe and well, especially my friends and colleagues in snowy NYC. Thanks to everyone who helped with images and design credits this month ā itās been a ā¦
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/02/26/book-covers-of-note-february-2026/
12 days ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Booker Prizes
15 days ago
Presenting the longlist for the
#InternationalBooker2026
, supported by Bukhman Philanthropies. Find out more about the books, authors and translators:
thebookerprizes.com/ibp2026
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Dan Wagstaff
John Williams
19 days ago
I wrote about one part of my reaction to recent events: the importance and nuance of what it means to subscribe to something.
add a skeleton here at some point
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The only Brontƫ commentary I need
19 days ago
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More snow in Toronto...
21 days ago
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This morning...
22 days ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
27 days ago
Designer-turned-author Oliver Munday and designer Chris Brand discuss the creative process behind the cover of Oliver's new novel Head of Household
lithub.com/when-a-book-...
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When a Book Cover Designer Writes a Book, Who Designs the Cover?
As a book cover designer, I never imagined the tables being turned and finding myself in the position of an author awaiting cover designs. But after selling my first work of fiction, Head of Househā¦
https://lithub.com/when-a-book-cover-designer-writes-a-book-who-designs-the-cover/
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I don't know how you square that what people click is not necessarily the same as what they value/want. But one is easy to measure and the other is not.
about 1 month ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
about 1 month ago
Lit Hub's best book covers of January:
lithub.com/the-10-best-...
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The 10 Best Book Covers of January
Another month of books, another month of book covers. In January, it was all about the text treatments. And also, for some reason, teal. Here are my favorites from the start of the new year: I̵ā¦
https://lithub.com/the-10-best-book-covers-of-january-3/
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Incredible photo by Victor J. Blue
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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Dan Wagstaff
Kristin Knowles
about 1 month ago
Hey friends, can I ask you all to give our
@littleghostsbooks.bsky.social
Crowdfundr a look? Any amount helps us with our workspace renovation plans, if you're not able (which I understand!), if you could share the link that would be amazing. Love you all! š¤š§” š»š
crowdfundr.com/littleghosts...
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Little Ghosts Books Workshop Space
Little Ghosts Books horror bookstore & community hub is looking to expand its space by renovating our back garage into a studio to host our workshops, book clubs, and author events.
https://crowdfundr.com/littleghostsbooks
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My latest round-up of new and recent book covers is up on the blog:
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/01...
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Book Covers of Note, January 2026
Well, itās been a month. I hope youāre all keeping safe and well, especially my friends and publishing colleagues in Minnesota. Stay Strong. The Aquatics by Osvalde Lewat, translated byā¦
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/01/29/book-covers-of-note-january-2026/
about 1 month ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
about 2 months ago
This is a really interesting selection. A lot of the covers you would expect, but still some surprises...
lithub.com/the-best-boo...
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The Best Book Covers of the Last Decade
This year at Literary Hub, we published the tenth iteration of a fan favorite end of year list: the best book covers of the year, as chosen by some of our favorite book cover designers. This featurā¦
https://lithub.com/the-best-book-covers-of-the-last-decade/
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
about 2 months ago
Notable YA Covers of 2025 - this really is a post for fans of illustrated book covers:
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/01...
#books
#illustration
#YA
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Mieko Kawakami on the cover of
@publisherswkly.bsky.social
about 2 months ago
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Here's my look back at some of the YA book covers that caught my eye last year. There's a ton of great art and illustration - particularly fantasy and horror - if that's your thing...
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/01...
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Notable YA Covers of 2025
Happy New Year! I hope youāre keeping safe and well. I just re-read the introduction to my 2024 YA post and it says pretty much everything I was going to say about young adult covers this timā¦
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2026/01/13/notable-ya-covers-of-2025/
about 2 months ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
2 months ago
"Fuck AI! Film poster art forever!"
@seekandspeak.bsky.social
's Notable Film Posters of 2025
www.seekandspeak.com/notable-film...
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Notable Film Posters 2025 - seekandspeak.com - Made by Brandon Schaefer
Notable Film Posters 2025 Fuck AI! Film poster art forever! Below are posters made by other people throughout the past year that I think are particularly swell. Posters are arranged alphabetically by ...
https://www.seekandspeak.com/notable-film-posters-2025
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Dan Wagstaff
Anton Hur
3 months ago
I loved loved loved loved LOVED this book
add a skeleton here at some point
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Dan Wagstaff
E. O'Brien
3 months ago
This was GREAT, and it brings my "weird books about whaling" canon title count up to 2.
#booksky
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
Here are Spineās best book covers of 2025!
spinemagazine.co/book-covers-...
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SPINE-2025 Book Covers We Loved
Welcome to 2025 Book Covers We Loved! My plan was to write a little commentary on this yearās notable design trends but then I read The Casual Optimistās and heās summed everything up so perfectly th...
https://spinemagazine.co/book-covers-we-love/2025-book-covers-we-loved
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Dan Wagstaff
DoctorSyntax
3 months ago
Gayle has been working on this book for two decadesāālong-awaitedā hardly covers it, at least for publishing nerds
add a skeleton here at some point
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
Mark Sinclair weighs in on AI vs the actual real work of design, and chooses his favourite book covers of 2025 for Creative Review:
www.creativereview.co.uk/the-best-boo...
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The best book covers of the year 2025
Mark Sinclair picks his ten favourite book covers of the year, chosen for their āstrong, characterful, challenging and excitingā design
https://www.creativereview.co.uk/the-best-book-covers-of-the-year-2025/
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Dan Wagstaff
Jane Casey
3 months ago
Overheard in the supermarket. Two teenagers. 1: 'Where's Dad?' 2 (with ineffable weariness): 'In the cheese aisle, having the time of his life.'
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
For the folks waiting for Matt Dorfmanās list for the NYT, here it is (gift link):
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/b...
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The Best Book Covers of 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/books/review/the-best-book-covers-of-2025.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8k8.tbbD.C-9Rr4VRuIdu&smid=nytcore-ios-share
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Dan Wagstaff
CHOAM: Spaceknight
3 months ago
Friends, Romans, countrymen, I read a lot of comics this year and these were the best ones
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The Best Graphic Novels of 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/books/review/best-graphic-novels-2025.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8E8.w82h.PejM_P216e-h&smid=nytcore-ios-share
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Dan Wagstaff
Daniel Benneworth-Gray
3 months ago
BEHOLD, my list of the best movie posters of 2025.
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The best movie posters of the year 2025
Daniel Benneworth-Gray picks his favourite movie posters of 2025, from Frankenstein to Pillion, Sentimental Value to Hard Truths
https://www.creativereview.co.uk/movie-posters-of-the-year-2025/
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Just in case you need a second opinion...
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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Dan Wagstaff
SarahJSloat
3 months ago
LOVE looking at book covers. I like the collage covers of "Slow Poison" (designer: Arsh Raziuddin) and the Mishima book (John Gall). Also like the Erpenbeck (Oliver Munday). "Food Person" (Janet Hansen) is quite fun. Also "Time and Chance" (Joan Wong) and "Casanova 20" (Victoria Maxfield).
add a skeleton here at some point
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Hereās my look back at some of the book covers and design trends of 2025
www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/12...
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Notable Book Covers of 2025
Hopscotch by Julio CortĆ”zar; illustration by Stephen Smith; art direction by Suzanne Dean (Vintage Classics / August 2025) Bestiary: The Selected Stories of Julio CortĆ”zar by Julio CortĆ”zar; illustā¦
https://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2025/12/10/notable-book-covers-of-2025/
3 months ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
Here are Adrian Curry's picks of the best movie posters of 2025 for MUBI:
mubi.com/en/notebook/...
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The Best Movie Posters of 2025
Our movie poster columnist unveils his favorite designs of the year.
https://mubi.com/en/notebook/posts/the-best-movie-posters-of-2025
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Dan Wagstaff
Adam Morgan
3 months ago
What's the best book *review* you wrote, read, edited, or published this year? I'm rounding them up again for Lit Hub. (Must have a 2025 pub date, no exceptions.)
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Dan Wagstaff
Lit Hub
3 months ago
If you love a small press, check out these 100 notable small press books from 2025!
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100 Notable Small Press Books of 2025
The idea ofĀ 100 Notable Small Press Books was born November 2024,Ā afterĀ The New York Timesās annual 100 Notable Books list featured eighty-two books from the Big Five publishing houses (Penguā¦
https://buff.ly/Xvkyuz6
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reposted by
Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
End of year lists are hard.
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On the subject of best of the year lists, here's a gift link for the NYT's 100 Notable Books of 2025 too...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
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100 Notable Books of 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/books/notable-books.html?unlocked_article_code=1.308.PCot.ySWTPCymm8tD&smid=url-share
3 months ago
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Here's a gift link to the Globe 100 for the Canadian book folks:
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/b287550...
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The Globe 100: The best books of 2025
Our annual guide to the books that captured, delighted and informed us this year. Plus, track your favourites from years past in our first Book Archive
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/b28755069fa72903c9f96681672f8a5c3b140a6e628330ada7be690547ffba84/FTG7Q4WM3ZAWDA26XNEHMWADIQ/
3 months ago
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
More publishers should do this!
add a skeleton here at some point
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
And here are Lit Hub's November cover picks:
lithub.com/the-15-best-...
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The 16 Best Book Covers of November
Another month of books, another month of book covers. This will be my last roundup of the year, as December will be occupied by our annual Big List of the best covers of the year as chosen by the dā¦
https://lithub.com/the-15-best-book-covers-of-november-2/
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
3 months ago
Here are SPINE's November book cover picks!
spinemagazine.co/book-covers-...
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SPINE-November Book Covers We Love!
Welcome to Novemberās Book Covers We Love! The full list is comprised of a selection of covers reviewed by a panel including Co-Founder of Chapman & Wilder, Cherie Chapman ; Freelance Designer M...
https://spinemagazine.co/book-covers-we-love/26112025
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Dan Wagstaff
The Observer
4 months ago
Bridget Riley and the pleasure of looking. With her mesmeric, geometric work, now on show at Turner Contemporary, the British artist hopes the āeye can travel over the surfaceā like it āmoves over natureā.
https://bit.ly/4rq9h5A
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Bridget Riley and the pleasure of looking | The Observer
https://bit.ly/4rq9h5A
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Dan Wagstaff
Paul Tobin
4 months ago
I'm a total sucker for the maps on the backs of old Dell books.
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Dan Wagstaff
Chris Power
4 months ago
My review of the third part of Solvej Balleās On the Calculation of Volume - one of the most exciting things happening in fiction right now
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
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Paperback of the week:Ā On the Calculation of Volume III by Solvej Balle | The Observer
https://observer.co.uk/culture/books/article/paperback-of-the-week-on-the-calculation-of-volume-iii-by-solvej-balle
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Dan Wagstaff
Ian Austen
4 months ago
This phone in Barry's Bay, Ontario is on the highway where the payphone madness began over four years ago. I've been past this grocery store many times since but somehow only spotted the phone in August. A friendly watchman was proud of it (Chamonix57N1, Schneider 180mmf5.6 APO Symmar, Kodak TXP320)
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Dan Wagstaff
The Casual Optimist
4 months ago
Monocle on 3 independent publishers with distinctive cover designs
monocle.com/culture/char...
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Three independent publishers getting book design just right - Monocle
These bookmakers have caught our eye with their distinctive designs and unique offerings hidden between covers.
https://monocle.com/culture/charco-press-wetlands-poursuite-editions/
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Dan Wagstaff
Stephen Collins
4 months ago
When you think 'I should probably post more from my sketchbook' and then you look at the sketchbook and realise that since you got a dog two years ago your brain has turned into 90% dog
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Dan Wagstaff
Tom Gauld
4 months ago
My latest
@newscientist.com
cartoon. p.s. my new book of science cartoons 'Physics for Cats' is out now! Order from your local bookshop or online:
www.tomgauld.com
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Dan Wagstaff
Present & Correct
4 months ago
From 1973, Ed Emberleyās Little Drawing Book of Weirdos.
www.presentandcorrect.com/blogs/blog/e...
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Dan Wagstaff
Tom Gauld
4 months ago
A halloween cartoon for
@newscientist.com
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