6 Book Cover Elements That Can Help You Sell More Copies
Why it's important to invest in a good book cover
A good book cover design is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, a book cover is the first thing that a potential reader sees when they encounter your book, whether it's in a physical bookstore or online. As such, the cover is often the first opportunity you have to make a good impression and grab the reader's attention.
A well-designed cover conveys the tone and theme of the book, and gives the reader an idea of what they can expect to find inside. A visually appealing cover helps your book stand out in a crowded market, which can be especially important if you are an indie author or publishing a niche book.
Finally, a great book cover helps to establish your book as a professional, high-quality product. This can be especially important if you are self-publishing, as a poorly designed cover may give the impression that your book is not worth reading.
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What makes a good book cover?
Strong composition
A visually appealing and effective design is your number one goal when crafting a book cover. Composition refers to the way that the different elements of the design are arranged on the page, and it can have a significant impact on how the design is perceived.
There are a number of ways to create strong composition in book cover design. Some common techniques include:
Using the rule of thirds: This involves dividing the cover into nine equal parts and placing the key elements of the design along the lines or at the intersections of the grid.
Creating balance: The cover should have a sense of balance, with elements arranged evenly on both sides or in a symmetrical way.
Using negative space: Negative space, or the empty space around and between the design elements, can be used effectively to create a sense of balance and focus the reader's attention.
Testimonials and reviews
Press excerpts can be a useful addition to a book cover, especially if they come from well-known or respected sources. Including a quote from a well-known author or industry expert can help to establish your book's credibility and give potential readers a sense of what others think of the book.
However, it's important to use testimonials and reviews sparingly and to be selective about which ones you include. It's generally a good idea to include quotes that are positive, but also provide some insight into the content or themes of the book. Avoid including too many testimonials, as this can make the cover look cluttered and may distract from the overall design.
Relevant spine
Spines are often an afterthought, but it’s important to give its design a fair amount of focus because it’s the only part of your book visible when shelved.
The spine of your book should be easy to read, even from a distance. Avoid using too many fonts or colors, and make sure the text is large enough to be easily legible. Maintain consistency with your cover regarding fonts and colors to create a cohesive look.
Consider the thickness of your book when choosing your font and text size. It can be a good idea to mock up your book spine design and view it from a distance to make sure it is easy to read and looks good.
Adhere to Genre
By no means should you feel confined, but you should know going in that readers have different expectations regarding different genres. As the book cover designer, it’s your job to know these expectations so that you can leverage them to your advantage or subvert them in an interesting way.
For example, sci-fi and fantasy book covers will most often depict the unique world of the book, or at least contain some elements of otherworldliness that intrigues readers. If the cover was a simple human character portrait, chances are readers who love sci-fi and fantasy are going to skip right over it.
Similarly, romance novel covers typically feature two characters embracing one another or one character in a sensual pose. The cover does a lot of work - not only does it tell the reader what genre, but it also tells the reader how steamy the novel is, depending on the characters’ poses and states of (un)dress!
Finally, for an example of genre palette, look no further than the reds, blacks, grays, and purples of horror. If you see these colors, you’ll know you’re in for a scary story. These colors are often paired with gothic fonts and creepy imagery to delve deeper into invoking a feeling of unease.
Title and subtitle that stands out
Beyond composition and items like font, color, size, spacing, etc, the actual content on your book cover matters a whole lot. This means your title and subtitle, if applicable.
Just like your overall cover design, your title should reflect the content and theme of your book. Don’t sway too far into the extremes of literal or allegorical. The title should be understandable as to what kind of story your book might contain, yet also carry some additional meaning that your readers can uncover on their own.
One trend that’s on the rise for YA book covers is the use of wordplay, alliteration, or other literary devices to make your title more memorable - that way, it will stick around in potential readers’ minds.
Eye-catching image
Whether it's a photo or an illustration, your cover image needs to attract eyes first and foremost if your goal is sales.
Do some research and create a swipe file of covers that strike you - both within and outside of your genre. Draw inspiration and draft a few of your own. You should have a solid idea of what feeling you want your cover to invoke. Show your mockups to friends and family to garner their reactions.
How to find a good service to create your own book cover
Clearly, designing a book cover is a difficult task. There are so many factors to consider. Thankfully, there are great online services out there who reliably provide top-tier book covers, saving you a great deal of time, effort, and creative energy.
CoverKitchen offers professional and attractive designs at an affordable price. Expert designers experienced in the genres authors are working on today are an excellent, stress-free way to craft an eye-catching cover for your fantasy, sci-fi, YA, or any other genre book.
Conclusion
Just like every word on the page matters, every visual detail on your book cover is important when it comes to attracting eyeballs and selling books. Consider your title, image, overall composition, spine design, and incorporation of testimonials and reviews. Just like writing your book, start with a rough draft, then get feedback and revise. With some creativity and experimentation, you can come up with a cover design that captures the essence of your book and helps it stand out.
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