Read on Twitter
Indie/self-published authors...
Let’s talk BOOK COVERS.
You need a great cover. Trust me on this. My covers for my first series are really nice. Second series has “wow” covers.
“Wow” covers sell books.
What’s a “wow” cover?
#BethsSelfPubTips
Let’s talk BOOK COVERS.
You need a great cover. Trust me on this. My covers for my first series are really nice. Second series has “wow” covers.
“Wow” covers sell books.
What’s a “wow” cover?
#BethsSelfPubTips
First...it needs to fit your genre.
I know, I know, your book is special and amazing, and you want a UNIQUE COVER.
But it shouldn’t look different than other covers in your genre, because you won’t attract the right readers.
So...
I know, I know, your book is special and amazing, and you want a UNIQUE COVER.
But it shouldn’t look different than other covers in your genre, because you won’t attract the right readers.
So...
Go on Amazon.
Look up the top EBOOKS (Kindle Store!) in your genre.
What colors are people using? Typography? What’s on the cover—illustrated symbols? Photos? Photoshopped photos? Of people? Of objects? Of landscapes?
Take those elements & use them.
Look up the top EBOOKS (Kindle Store!) in your genre.
What colors are people using? Typography? What’s on the cover—illustrated symbols? Photos? Photoshopped photos? Of people? Of objects? Of landscapes?
Take those elements & use them.
How? Let’s talk options. Starting with the cheapest.
1. DIY. Use Canva (free or pro account) or Gimp (free).
Use a website like Pexels to find free-use photos (or DepositPhotos for affordable paid stock).
Look up “free for commercial use” fonts on http://1001fonts.com .
1. DIY. Use Canva (free or pro account) or Gimp (free).
Use a website like Pexels to find free-use photos (or DepositPhotos for affordable paid stock).
Look up “free for commercial use” fonts on http://1001fonts.com .
2. Design your own image but pay someone to do typography.
TYPOGRAPHY CAN MAKE OR BREAK A COVER!
I see a lot of nice covers with crappy typography that makes them look homemade.
My designer, Mariah Sinclair, is a typography genius. She’ll do typography only on a cover for $35!
TYPOGRAPHY CAN MAKE OR BREAK A COVER!
I see a lot of nice covers with crappy typography that makes them look homemade.
My designer, Mariah Sinclair, is a typography genius. She’ll do typography only on a cover for $35!
3. Premade. My fave option. Most premade covers are only sold to ONE PERSON.
A good designer, who knows the genre, designs premades to fit the market!
This works best if you get the premade before you start writing or early in the process. Then the cover can inspire the story!
A good designer, who knows the genre, designs premades to fit the market!
This works best if you get the premade before you start writing or early in the process. Then the cover can inspire the story!
How to find great premades? Go to Facebook. Search for cover designer GROUPS (not just Pages). Join the ones with quality work. Facebook will suggest more groups! Join them too, if they fit your genre.
A lot of designers use FB bc Groups are a good way to share their work.
A lot of designers use FB bc Groups are a good way to share their work.
The Magic Eaters covers were premades. I got them early & was able to base story elements on cover elements. I changed the titles my designer (Mariah Sinclair) had come up with.
I’ve already bought premades (different designer) for my next series. Ideas are spinning in my head!
I’ve already bought premades (different designer) for my next series. Ideas are spinning in my head!
4. Custom. Work w/an amazing designer!
Look on copyright pages to see who designed books w/covers you love.
Again...use FB Groups!
TRUST a great designer’s expertise. W/my 1st series, I guided the designer TOO MUCH. Covers would’ve been better if I’d given her more free rein.
Look on copyright pages to see who designed books w/covers you love.
Again...use FB Groups!
TRUST a great designer’s expertise. W/my 1st series, I guided the designer TOO MUCH. Covers would’ve been better if I’d given her more free rein.
5. Hire an artist for fully custom artwork.
A lot of cover designers mostly do photo/vector manipulation.
Some authors prefer fully original art.
If your artist isn’t a cover designer, it’s probably better to get a cover designer to do typography on the custom art.
A lot of cover designers mostly do photo/vector manipulation.
Some authors prefer fully original art.
If your artist isn’t a cover designer, it’s probably better to get a cover designer to do typography on the custom art.
However you do it...make sure you end up with a pro cover.
And esp if you’re doing your own—GET FEEDBACK!
There are some groups on FB (Indie Cover Project, The Cover Clinic) that will look at your draft cover and give honest feedback.
Happy writing and publishing!
And esp if you’re doing your own—GET FEEDBACK!
There are some groups on FB (Indie Cover Project, The Cover Clinic) that will look at your draft cover and give honest feedback.
Happy writing and publishing!
