The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Book Cover
An author in a bookstore is likely to be overwhelmed by the amount of creative energy in all of the book covers, and she will be unsure how her own book will stand out. One way or another, it will happen.
The fact that readers purchase with their eyes is no longer a secret. They want familiarity, but they also want to be surprised—they want something new and exciting. They want a book they can proudly hold in their hands or read on the train with their e-reader. Due to the large number of books published each year, a successful book design must convince the reader that the pages within are worth their time and attention.
What is the author’s name and how well-known is that individual?
The author penned the book. They need to be at the center of the design process. If the author is a first-time writer, they can be learning about this at the same time. Is it a newcomer or a well-established and reliable company? Do they have any previous publications that have set a precedent for how a cover should be designed?
Is there a distinct style associated with the genre?
Commercial fiction refers to books that fit easily into a single genre. Commercial fiction includes romance, thrillers, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. For decades, cover design patterns for various genres have been established. A commercial title’s cover should follow, or at the very least evoke, the standard bearers of its category, because the goal of the cover is to sell books.
A planet offers a powerful science-fiction message, while a couple transmits love feelings. A desolate environment may be both magical and depressing. The key is to embrace the anticipated and come up with something fresh and surprising.
Literary novels are distinguished by excellent writing and compelling human stories, and they usually fall into more than one of these categories.
The phrase “up-market” refers to novels that are well-written while yet being accessible and readable in the genre. Because they are interesting readings with powerful issues that demand conversation, they are commonly picked for reading programmes and book groups. To appeal to the widest possible audience, their covers usually blend literary and genre elements.
When and where will the book be available to buy?
The place where a book is sold may have a big impact on its appearance. With the surge in popularity of e-readers, some authors are opting for an eBook-only strategy, entirely ignoring the printed edition. The design will be different if the book is only available on Amazon as a thumbnail. Text must be larger and more visible as a consumer scrolls through hundreds of titles on a screen. Customers may take up a print book from a bookshop shelf, read through it, and enjoy a more tactile experience.
Format
First, decide whether the book cover will be printed, emailed, or both. This is significant because of the design issues mentioned earlier, as well as the fact that print and online color spaces are different. If the book will be produced, find out what format and size it will be printed in.
There are options for paperback, hardback, and case binding. Hardbacks can also have dust jackets or cover images printed directly on the boards. Books may be almost any size a designer can think of, but it’s advisable to think about what size is best for the book before selecting one at random. The smaller the trim size, the fewer words per page.
If a 300-page book is produced too small, it will be overly thick, but a larger book must have the right length to prevent seeming flimsy and more like a magazine or pamphlet.
Copy
This may be seen in the front copy, rear cover copy, author bio/photo, blurbs, and endorsements.
Graphics
The visual information that is less fun yet incredibly vital. Examples include author and publishing house logos, as well as barcodes that allow the book to be sold in stores.
Any additional costs that may occur throughout the design process should be known by both the designer and the author. Font licensing, stock photography, ISBN numbers, and barcodes are just a few examples.
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