Every day I learn more and more about what it takes to launch a book.
Writing the story is just the beginning.
Even if you can afford a cover designer, the decision regarding the final visual product is yours. That’s a heavy responsibility.
That first impression can get a reader to stop, click and buy. First impressions are very important.
Should you design your book to blend with what you see on the bookshelf at Barnes & Noble? Or do you want your book to stand out from the crowd?
We all want our book to be eye-catching. To make the shopper, whether on Amazon or in a brick and mortar bookstore stop and look. And of course, hopefully, buy.
But there is a fine line I think in between something unique or something bizarre. The same with copying the latest trends in book covers. We run the risk of coming off too trendy if we mimic other authors.
So, with or without a designer, where do you start? As with any story, research.
- Check out other books in your genre, on the Best Seller Lists (all of them).
- Look at books by your favorite readers. What do you like, or dislike about those covers?
- Consider the books that are in ebook and print form.
I fall in the DIY camp. It takes a lot more time and effort but can be done.
Like a cook, making a recipe handed down from her grandmother, I add a pinch of or dash of the following to bake up a beautiful (hopefully) cover:
- An Illustrator located through a referral from a local writers group.
- Free image editor (similar to Adobe) Sumo Paint
- Adjust image size as needed (ie 300 dpi) with Paint.net by Windows
- Use ebook template to size and adjust book template with Canva.com
- For additional images free of copyrights I like Pixabay.com and Openclipart.org
Trendy or Unique?
I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer. Just like each book and each story, it’s yours. Do the research and it your way!
Check out Jo Robinson’s post on book covers.
IT’S ALRIGHT TO HAVE A TRENDY BOOK COVER
What do you think? Trendy or Unique? Have you designed your own book cover? Are you in the midst of designing a cover? What programs or websites do you prefer to use to get the job done?
Tell me your thoughts in the comments section.
You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.
Jean's Writing 