MMT Productions’ Custom Book Cover Design and Pre-Made Covers

As a public service for authors and other holders of the rights to book cover designs, I have copied below MMT Productions‘ replies to my complaint about its “satirizing” book cover designs for the purpose of promoting and presumably amassing prospective customers for its custom book cover design and pre-made book covers business.

Notes:

1. MMT Productions’ replies included no statement of confidentiality claiming their messages are private and intended only for the named recipient.
2. The death of the employee responsible for MMT Productions’ “Horrible Covers” has evidently brought it to an end—at least for now.
3. The boldfacing below is mine, not MMT Productions’.

MMT Productions’ First Message Dated 9/29/25, 8:19 PM

Mr. Zidzik,

We received your messages regarding our “Horrible Covers” feature, both by email and through our Facebook page. For clarity, our website’s contact form is working correctly and remains the appropriate channel for any formal correspondence.

Our post on Dracula/Harker: A Gay Gothic Romance – Part I is satire and criticism of published cover art. Canadian copyright law recognizes fair dealing for parody, satire, and criticism/review (Copyright Act, ss. 29, 29.1), provided the source and author are identified—which our article does. Canadian defamation law also protects fair comment on matters of public interest, which includes book design and marketing.

Our piece is opinion-based commentary, not a substitute for your work, and it was published for the purposes of critique and satire. Nothing in it misrepresents you or your book as fact. We have no intention of retracting or removing the critique. If you believe any factual error has been made, please specify, and we will review. If you intend to pursue this matter formally, please have your legal representative use the contact form on our website at https://mmtproductions.ca/contact-us.

That said, your correspondence has prompted us to consider how we can also be constructive. As a result, we have now introduced a standing offer: any author whose work is featured in Horrible Covers may apply for a professional cover design package from MMT Productions at a preferred rate. We understand that many authors have the best intentions but are sometimes let down by poor design advice or non-professional services, and our aim is to help writers put their best work forward.

Regards,
MMT Productions

MMT Productions’ Second Message Dated 9/30/25, 8:53 AM

Mr. Zidzik,

As part of our new initiative for authors featured in Horrible Covers, we are extending to you a 20% discount on our Custom Cover Creation service. The discount applies to the base cover as well as format options (eBook, perfect bound, and hard jacket).

To redeem this offer, please place your order directly through our website at https://mmtproductions.ca
using coupon code hca-2025. The code is valid for a single use, applies only to Custom Cover Creation, and expires on October 31, 2025.

All purchases are processed securely on our site, with full payment required upfront, and you will be asked to confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use at checkout.

Regards,
MMT Productions