Book Cover Design FAQs

Is the quality of my book's cover really that important?

You've heard the old adage -- do not to judge a book by its cover. In reality though, book buyers will judge your book by its cover. There are hundreds of thousands of new books published each year, so making your book stand out from the crowd is more important than ever. A professional-looking book cover will also make your book more marketable to retailers and reviewers. First impressions count, so spending more of your resources on a fantastic cover is always a prudent move.

How do I decide what should be on my cover?

That's a pretty broad question, but here are a few things to consider:

• First off, visit bookstores and libraries and check out the covers of other books in your genre. What grabs your eye? What repels you from a particular book? What are some common cover elements of books in your genre? The cover should draw attention, but that doesn't mean it should be fluorescent green and pink. Striking a balance between unique and appropriate is important.
• The main theme of the cover should reflect the theme of the story inside. Incorporate metaphors that unfold as the reader progresses through the plot.
• Keep it simple. Don't create as busy cover that tries to incorporate EVERY theme of the story.
• Consider carefully the colors you use on your cover. Should the primary hue be a cool color, like a blue or green; or are warm colors, like red or yellow more germane to the story? The number and combination of colors incorporated into a book cover can convey certain ideas to a potential reader.
• Don't forget the back cover is equally, if not more important than the front cover. Readers will most likely flip the book over to get a snapshot about the contents of the book. Text included on the back cover should be intriguing; it should make the reader want to open the book and start it reading now.
• Overall, the book cover should accurately reflect the style, content, mood and tone of your book. It should convey a feeling or idea about the story, don't attempt to have it tell the whole story.