We are here to help!
We want to hear about your book idea, get to know you, and answer any questions you have about the ghostwriting and editing process.
By Crossroad Publisher
We’ve all grown up following the adage “don’t judge a book by its cover.” It may be true metaphorically, but in the world of publishing, a book cover matters a lot. Millions of books are published every year, which is why good cover design is essential to make your title unique and attractive to readers. Today’s article is all about creating stunning book covers to maximize your book sales.
In today’s article, we talk about why marketing is important for authors and the best ways to go about it.
We will cover topics like:
Continue reading to learn all about book covers and their significance.
A good book cover is more than an image or a combination of colors. It comprises several components, including typography. That said, the purpose of cover art is beyond the artistic. The cover must convey the genre and theme of the book and hint to readers as to what they can expect in the book. It is all part of the reader’s experience. In that sense, book covers are also marketing tools.
This is especially true in today’s uber-cluttered marketplace, where professional book cover design can increase your book’s visibility by more than 50%.
Conversely, a poorly designed cover will hamper your marketing efforts. No matter how well-written your book is, a bad cover design can ruin the reader’s experience.
One of the best examples of the impact of book covers is George Orwell’s 1984. The original cover to subsequent iterations conveys the theme of totalitarianism and dystopia. According to one estimate, the novel’s cover has gone through 50+ iterations.
In our view, the best book cover for 1984 is the one published by Penguin UK in 2013. The book cover designer, David Pearson, had the author’s name and the book title debossed and hidden by black foiling. It was nearly impossible to read, a subtle reference to censorship, which is the theme of Orwell’s novel.
When cover design captures the feel of the book (courtesy: Open Culture)
Some readers of this edition noticed that the cover becomes “uncensored” with wear and tear, although it’s not clear whether it was a clever design element or an unintended flaw. In either case, it is a case study of how cover art enhances the reader’s experience of the book.
And it’s not just about the front cover.
A book’s back cover design is just as critical. It carries the reader’s journey forward, providing further information about the novel or non-fiction book. Both sides of the book jacket must be intriguing and consistent. More on this below.
Let’s break down book covers, front and back.
The cover is your first point of contact with the reader. Hence, it should contain:
Firstly, the title of the book should be prominent. In the case of electronic books, ensure that the book title can be read in any size. A good example of front cover typography is the Stephen King’s The Shining. From a design standpoint, one can see how the block letters are used to emphasize the book’s eeriness.
Secondly, the author's name on the book cover is also a design essential. First-time authors may like to keep their names smaller than the book title. For popular authors like James Patterson, the name may be as big, if not bigger, than the title.
The choice of font is a subtle yet effective way of communicating the book’s theme. Commonly used fonts include serif and sans-serif.
The genre can also help decide the fonts you use. For instance, notice the whimsical fonts on the cover of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith or the edgy fonts on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
Thirdly, a book jacket is more than typography. You also need colors and visuals that reflect the theme, tone, and genre of your book. Of course, this is genre specific.
For instance, Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore features use surreal and abstract novel cover art that conveys the book’s dreamy, otherworldly ambiance.
Colors are also important to convey themes. Not to simplify, but some colors are associated with particular genres. For instance, notice how blue and purple tones are often used in sci-fi book cover artwork (e.g., Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series). Likewise, red and black are often used for horror and thriller books.
Finally, the cover image(s) should also relate to the content, whether it's a photograph, illustration, or abstract design.
Once the cover has captured the readers’ attention, they will want to know more about the book. This is where the back cover comes in.
While these words are used synonymously, synopsis and blurb are two different things. Blurbs is more concise and doesn’t reveal much about the plot, while a synopsis gives you a more comprehensive idea about the story.
What to print on the back cover is based on the desired effect you want to achieve. However, do see what works better in your particular genre.
The back cover usually also has a brief section that tells readers more about the author. Sometimes, a particular design becomes the author’s signature. For example, Agatha Christie’s novels are easily identifiable by their vintage, mysterious, and elegant covers.
Sometimes publishers would like to add positive and credible reviews on the back cover as social proof. It increases the book’s saleability. Many times, reviews like “New York Times #1 Bestseller” or “Now a blockbuster!” are placed on the front cover to enhance the book’s appeal.
Here are some ways to attract your readers with book cover design.
Great book covers must convey a clear, singular message. Avoid overcrowding the design with too many elements. Take a cue from the cover of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, which uses a minimalist design with a symbolic image to reflect the story’s spiritual pathway.
Get some book cover inspiration in your genre. Understanding what works, and why, can help craft a more effective book jacket design.
This can’t be stressed enough. To connect with your readers, you need to know who they are. A fantasy book cover aimed at young adults, for instance, would look drastically different from a thriller targeting middle-aged readers.
Finally, design can be genre-specific. Fantasy book cover art, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, often uses mythical creatures, grand landscapes, and decorative fonts, while thrillers like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn feature stark contrasts, dark palettes, and minimalist imagery to build intrigue.
That’s about it! Remember that cover design is a hit-and-miss endeavor. That’s why it is better to hire professional designers to create custom book covers.
That’s where we come in.
Have you finished writing your manuscript? Let Crossroad Publisher take it from there! We will guide you through each step of the book publishing process, including editing, formatting, design, and licensing.
But that’s not all. We also offer marketing services to maximize your readership. Contact us today to learn more about getting your writing published.
Thriving on accelerating the path to disruption and value creation in all directions has enabled us to receive acknowledgment and recognition by leading ratings and review platforms.
View Reviews