They say never judge a book by its cover. But what can we do when we live in a world in which appearances are considered everything.
Whether you are going to a job interview, college admission, or a date, the way you present yourself to others matters a lot and eventually becomes the reason why people pick or reject you.
Same is the story for books.
Book covers hold great significance when it comes to getting them noticed by potential readers. In fact, most people make a decision to buy a book based on its cover.
If the cover attracts them, they’re willing to give it a try without even worrying about the content inside, and if it doesn’t… well, chances are it’s going to stay on the shelf for a while.
That’s why writers are advised to also care about their book covers as much as they do for their story. Your book cover should be eye-catching, able to grab the attention of the reader at the first class, and most importantly, it should be able to convey the idea or the theme of your story.
Want us to elaborate more? Then keep reading this piece because here we’re going to break down the right way you can create the perfect cover for your book.
So get started, then!
Steps to Design the Perfect Cover For Your Book
Being a writer, when your forte is creating stories or sharing thoughts or wisdom with others, jumping into the design department might seem like a big leap.
But even if you hire someone to design a book cover for you, you must know a few basics to ensure it aligns with your goals and what you want to achieve with your book.
Now, let’s look at how you can design an attention-grabbing book cover.
- What’s Your Genre?
- Correspond colors to the Theme Of Your Story
- Pick your preferred Book Cover Type
- Pay Attention to Font
- Make/Request Multiple Drafts
- Take Opinion
- Select The Best
1. What’s Your Genre?
The first step when you take up the task of designing a book cover is to look at what the genre of your book is. Is it self-help? Romance? Sci-fi, Crime, or any other? Front cover styles for every book immensely differ based on their specific genres.
Here are some classic examples:
- The Children of Time:
Look at this cover of a popular sci-fi novel by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This novel deals with an epic battle of human survival on a terraformed planet.
Designed creatively, the cover of this novel perfectly gives you an idea of the genre and story of the book.
Picture Via: Goodreads.
- You Deserve Each Other
Similarly, the cover of this Rom-Com novel by Sarah Hogle does a great job at presenting the witty and comic genre of this story while also maintaining the vibe of a love story.
Picture Via: Amazon
Originally a Self-Published novel, The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake also has managed to create a perfect cover for her book, delivering a mysterious and fantasy vibe just like the novel’s main genre.
2. Correspond Colors to the Theme of Your Story
What is the theme of your book? Is it a heartwarming story? Does it deliver an eerie vibe, or is it written for happy-go-lucky readers? Whatever your book theme is, you can use your book cover to evoke the feeling with the help of colors.
For example, pastel or light colors are usually used for books or novels that have a calm or mindful theme.
Similarly, a combination of vibrant colors is usually used for rom-com or comedy books, although it may differ depending on the design or art used for the book.
Look at some of the examples below to better understand what we mean.
3. Pick Your Preferred Book Cover Type
Now that you’ve considered your book’s genre and how to convey its theme through colors, it’s time to choose the type of book cover that suits your story best. There are various types of book covers to choose from, and your decision should align with your budget and the image you want to project.
- Illustrated Covers: These are popular for fantasy, children’s, and some young adult genres. Illustrated covers often feature intricate artwork that captures the essence of your story’s world. Hiring a professional illustrator can be expensive, but there are also pre-made options available that can save you money.
- Photographic Covers: Photographic covers might be the way to go if your book is contemporary or realistic fiction. These covers use high-quality photos that relate to your story’s theme or characters. You can find stock photos online or even consider taking your own if you have the skills.
- Typography-Driven Covers: Sometimes, a powerful typographic design can be just as compelling as imagery. This style is famous for non-fiction and self-help books. Experiment with fonts and text placement to create a visually appealing cover that reflects your book’s message.
- Minimalist Covers: Less is often more. Minimalist covers use simple, clean designs focusing on one central element. This type of cover can be both eye-catching and cost-effective.
- DIY or Template Covers: If you’re on a tight budget, you can explore DIY options or use pre-designed templates available on various platforms. While these might not be as unique as custom designs, they can still be effective if chosen wisely. There are many online websites like Canva and AI-powered generators that can create an eye-catching book cover for you.
4. Pay Attention to Font
Your choice of font is crucial in conveying the right message and mood for your book.
Each font has a unique personality, and it should align with your genre and theme and should be visually appealing.
Experiment with different fonts to find one that complements your cover design and enhances its overall impact. For example:
- Fonts like Times New Roman convey a traditional and formal tone, often used for classic literature or historical fiction.
- Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica are clean and modern, suitable for contemporary genres.
- Handwritten fonts help to add a personal touch to memoirs or personal narratives.
- Decorative fonts can be eye-catching but should be used sparingly and must align with your book’s theme.
5. Make/Request Multiple Drafts
Don’t settle for the first draft when working with a designer or creating your cover. It’s essential to iterate and refine the design until it truly captures the essence of your book. Request multiple drafts and be open to feedback and revisions.
6. Take Opinions
Don’t be afraid to seek input from others. Share your cover drafts with friends, fellow writers, or potential readers to gather different perspectives.
What may resonate with one person might not resonate with another, so getting diverse feedback can help you make an informed decision.
7. Select the Best
Finally, trust your instincts and select the cover you believe best represents your book. It’s essential that you’re proud of your cover because it’s not just a marketing tool; it’s also a reflection of your hard work and creativity as an author.
Hire a Professional Book Cover Designer
But the thing is, being a writer who is aiming to publish his book comes with a lot on your plate. You have to think about the constant edits that your agent requires, or if you are an independent writer, you must do everything on your own by self-publishing.
Amidst all this also, dealing with the hassle of designing a book cover shouldn’t be something you stress about.
Book covers are a crucial part of the entire selling and marketing process, especially if you are a new writer without any previous fan base. In this case, the best thing you can do is take the help of a professional to design a book cover for you.
They are experts at their job and specialize in creating a cover that is inherent to your story and is able to stand out among others.
Book Writing HQ is a rapidly booming self-publishing platform based in the USA and also provides several other services like proofreading, editing, and book cover designing.
So if you are tight on budget, can’t afford the industry giants, and still want a professionally designed book cover, Book Writing HQ is the perfect place.
To Sum Up!
In conclusion, designing an eye-catching book cover on a budget is possible with careful consideration of your book’s genre, theme, and the type of cover that suits it best. Don’t rush this crucial step in your publishing journey, as our book cover is the first impression your potential readers will have of your work, so make it count!
Last Updated: January 26, 2024
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How to Design an Eye-Catching Book Cover That Readers Love
They say never judge a book by its cover. But what can we do when we live in a world in which appearances are considered everything.
Whether you are going to a job interview, college admission, or a date, the way you present yourself to others matters a lot and eventually becomes the reason why people pick or reject you.
Same is the story for books.
Book covers hold great significance when it comes to getting them noticed by potential readers. In fact, most people make a decision to buy a book based on its cover.
If the cover attracts them, they’re willing to give it a try without even worrying about the content inside, and if it doesn’t… well, chances are it’s going to stay on the shelf for a while.
That’s why writers are advised to also care about their book covers as much as they do for their story. Your book cover should be eye-catching, able to grab the attention of the reader at the first class, and most importantly, it should be able to convey the idea or the theme of your story.
Want us to elaborate more? Then keep reading this piece because here we’re going to break down the right way you can create the perfect cover for your book.
So get started, then!
Table of Content
Steps to Design the Perfect Cover For Your Book
Being a writer, when your forte is creating stories or sharing thoughts or wisdom with others, jumping into the design department might seem like a big leap.
But even if you hire someone to design a book cover for you, you must know a few basics to ensure it aligns with your goals and what you want to achieve with your book.
Now, let’s look at how you can design an attention-grabbing book cover.
1. What’s Your Genre?
The first step when you take up the task of designing a book cover is to look at what the genre of your book is. Is it self-help? Romance? Sci-fi, Crime, or any other? Front cover styles for every book immensely differ based on their specific genres.
Here are some classic examples:
Look at this cover of a popular sci-fi novel by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This novel deals with an epic battle of human survival on a terraformed planet.
Designed creatively, the cover of this novel perfectly gives you an idea of the genre and story of the book.
Picture Via: Goodreads.
Similarly, the cover of this Rom-Com novel by Sarah Hogle does a great job at presenting the witty and comic genre of this story while also maintaining the vibe of a love story.
Picture Via: Amazon
Originally a Self-Published novel, The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake also has managed to create a perfect cover for her book, delivering a mysterious and fantasy vibe just like the novel’s main genre.
2. Correspond Colors to the Theme of Your Story
What is the theme of your book? Is it a heartwarming story? Does it deliver an eerie vibe, or is it written for happy-go-lucky readers? Whatever your book theme is, you can use your book cover to evoke the feeling with the help of colors.
For example, pastel or light colors are usually used for books or novels that have a calm or mindful theme.
Similarly, a combination of vibrant colors is usually used for rom-com or comedy books, although it may differ depending on the design or art used for the book.
Look at some of the examples below to better understand what we mean.
3. Pick Your Preferred Book Cover Type
Now that you’ve considered your book’s genre and how to convey its theme through colors, it’s time to choose the type of book cover that suits your story best. There are various types of book covers to choose from, and your decision should align with your budget and the image you want to project.
4. Pay Attention to Font
Your choice of font is crucial in conveying the right message and mood for your book.
Each font has a unique personality, and it should align with your genre and theme and should be visually appealing.
Experiment with different fonts to find one that complements your cover design and enhances its overall impact. For example:
5. Make/Request Multiple Drafts
Don’t settle for the first draft when working with a designer or creating your cover. It’s essential to iterate and refine the design until it truly captures the essence of your book. Request multiple drafts and be open to feedback and revisions.
6. Take Opinions
Don’t be afraid to seek input from others. Share your cover drafts with friends, fellow writers, or potential readers to gather different perspectives.
What may resonate with one person might not resonate with another, so getting diverse feedback can help you make an informed decision.
7. Select the Best
Finally, trust your instincts and select the cover you believe best represents your book. It’s essential that you’re proud of your cover because it’s not just a marketing tool; it’s also a reflection of your hard work and creativity as an author.
Hire a Professional Book Cover Designer
But the thing is, being a writer who is aiming to publish his book comes with a lot on your plate. You have to think about the constant edits that your agent requires, or if you are an independent writer, you must do everything on your own by self-publishing.
Amidst all this also, dealing with the hassle of designing a book cover shouldn’t be something you stress about.
Book covers are a crucial part of the entire selling and marketing process, especially if you are a new writer without any previous fan base. In this case, the best thing you can do is take the help of a professional to design a book cover for you.
They are experts at their job and specialize in creating a cover that is inherent to your story and is able to stand out among others.
Book Writing HQ is a rapidly booming self-publishing platform based in the USA and also provides several other services like proofreading, editing, and book cover designing.
So if you are tight on budget, can’t afford the industry giants, and still want a professionally designed book cover, Book Writing HQ is the perfect place.
To Sum Up!
In conclusion, designing an eye-catching book cover on a budget is possible with careful consideration of your book’s genre, theme, and the type of cover that suits it best. Don’t rush this crucial step in your publishing journey, as our book cover is the first impression your potential readers will have of your work, so make it count!
Table of Content