Your book is in good hands.

Meet Jana Burtner

Book Designer, Publishing Guide, and Oxford Comma Enthusiast

Jana Burtner, Designer & Self-Publishing Guide – A woman smiling, sitting cross-legged on a curved outdoor bench in a park, wearing a white blouse with sleeves rolled up to reveal dogwood tattoos, with greenery and buildings in the background.
Jana Burtner, Designer & Self-Publishing Guide – A woman smiling, sitting cross-legged on a curved outdoor bench in a park, wearing a white blouse with sleeves rolled up to reveal dogwood tattoos, with greenery and buildings in the background.

Photo by Julie M. Pence

Before Composed, my career pairing design + instruction began while teaching art and graphic design in a public high school in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Before long, I moved to Richmond, pursuing flashier lines for my resumé and honing design chops while working on in-house teams and volunteering design, marketing, and communications skills on the side.

Some decade-and-a-half later, a company I designed for started a small independent publishing branch. Over several years as their lead designer, I learned how nuanced choices throughout the publishing process can elevate or hinder a publication’s success. I also found particular joy in the work, which requires meticulous attention to detail, but with the reward of transforming an author’s ideas into tangible and effective tools for education, entertainment, and nurturing shared experience. At the risk of waxing poetic, I feel it equates to a form of alchemy.

Following the fire in my belly, I founded Composed, where I draw upon 15+ years of career experience as a designer, brand manager, and art director to inform book design crafted to the highest quality and bespoke to the author’s vision for their work.

Jana Burtner, Designer & Self-Publishing Guide – A woman with light hair and tattoos sitting with a book to review, reading a notebook with a yellow laptop on her lap, in a modern interior space.

Photo by Julie M. Pence

The primary benefit of self-publishing is that, as the author, you have the final say and sign-off on everything involved with your project.

It’s the duty of Composed to review your work, factor in best practices to make it shine, and provide tough feedback when necessary.

From there, it’s all your call. (As well it should be.)

  • To support independent authors at any stage of their publishing journey and help them produce a book worthy of their story.

  • Composed is rooted in a foundation of curiosity, integrity, and a commitment to excellence.

    I believe the best strategies for this work (and most things) are simple, smart, and human.

  • Composed partners with individuals and organizations with meaningful and inspiring stories, ideas, and perspectives. Successful authors rely on Composed to be both their biggest cheerleader and, simultaneously, a supportive expert who will give it to them straight.

    The client’s vision for their project is at the core of every decision made. Together, we outline a path forward that’s realistic, strategic, and tailored to the client’s vision. Every project starts with a conversation and ends with something we're proud to share.

Let’s Chat

Interested in working together or have questions? Please get in touch through this form. I can’t wait to hear from you!