On Christmas morning, many people reach for the most beautifully wrapped present under the tree to unwrap first? There’s something about the fancy bow and the shiny paper that draws our attention, and whispers that something great is inside. The shiniest, most blinged-out diamond ring in the jewelry store showcase is the first to catch our eye, just as the fully-loaded sparkling new car on the lot. Smart business owners and advertisers design these things to draw our attention—and our dollars.
That’s why the book cover for your manuscript is so vital. It’s the single most important element to either grab the attention of a potential reader—or be so blasé that they pass your book by, or click to another Amazon screen.
One of the biggest mistakes first time authors make is not taking the time necessary to come up with a rockstar book cover—and paying a true expert designer to execute that vision. There are several key elements to keep in mind when creating your book cover:
- Color
What colors grab your attention? You don’t need to be original, you just need to be noticeable! Stay away from darker colors as they show wear easier and sometimes require a double UV coating, which bumps up the printing costs
- Title and Subtitle
Look at some of the books in your book genre and notice their titles and subtitles. Typically, titles and subtitles are short. Words are powerful and the font size and font type are equally important. Less is more when it comes to title and subtitle on the book cover. Remember, your book cover is thumbnail sized on Amazon, and has to still be legible.
- Author Name
Is this a co-authored book or written by a single author. Is your illustrator better known in the reading community than you are? Be sure to acknowledge them on the cover. Do you have some endorsements or kudos you can put on the cover that mention your book or knowledge base? Add a few words in a prominent place.
- Glossy/Matte
Do you want your book cover to be shiny or not? There is no right answer here as each genre favors different styles, depending on the trend at the time. Embossing, gold lettering, and other special touches also add to printing costs.
- Size
There are definite market sizes your book should fall into if you plan to sell your book in retail environments. There are also nonstandard book cover sizes that online printers will NOT support. It is important to know the number of pages in your book and the marketable size you would like your book to be before you hire a book cover designer.
- Back of the Book
Once you attract the attention of a potential buyer, the second thing they will do is flip the book over. The marketing blurb on the back of your book can be some of the most important copy your potential reader will see. Be sure to use professional headshot image of the author, add a short bio and any significant reviews from prominent people who recommend your book.
These and other elements are vital in creating a rockstar book cover. For more details look up The 90 Day Author, written by New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump. www.90DayAuthorBook.com
