Book Cover Designers Bring Books to Life
These Oft-Under Appreciated Craftspeople Can Make Sales Soar
Aug 13, 2009
In addition to a great editor, every self-publisher should use the talents of a great book cover designer. Not all graphic artists are book cover designers, by the way, although many are. Remember that covers sell books – so this is one area where one should not skimp, or make do, or try to get by with a photo. There’s more to creating a good cover than meets the eye!
Cover Design Includes Many Considerations
Most every book cover designer has a specialty: it may be nonfiction, fantasy, sci-fi, western, etc. Most designers are able to cross over from their specialty to another genre, of course. Try to find one that specializes in the genre that one writes in; however, don’t eliminate a designer offhand, particularly if one finds the person easy and enjoyable to work with.
Many designers ask for author input on the cover, while others simply want to work from a synopsis of the story and don’t want to be fettered with another’s ideas. Most times the ideas the designer will come up with will be far superior to the author’s ideas, in any case. That’s what they’re being paid for, after all.
Remember, the cover design and lettering must look good in all sizes, from thumbnails that may appear on Amazon, to enlargements on websites, to full blown book covers. A good designer knows this. All too often self-publishers fail to consider this aspect when uploading one of their photos to use as a cover.
Fees Charged by Book Cover Designers
Many times the designer will submit several ideas for consideration before developing one particular idea. Usually up to three designs is part of the fee charged.
Fees for a professional book designer will range significantly. A low range would be $200, while the higher end could run well over $1,000. While it is generally true that one gets what one pays for, in cover design this maxim may not always be true. A few may ask to work for a percentage of sales. This type of agreement should probably be avoided.
Spine and Back Cover Design
Most authors think only of the front cover when they think of their book cover, but spine and back cover are every bit as important as the front.
Back cover layout is especially important. Most people pick up a book, look at the cover, and then immediately turn it over to read the back. This is where the designer can really step up the sale-ability of the book. The placement of “blurbs” or other information is critical, but equally as important is font size, choice, ink color, and back cover color and/or design.
Covers Sell Books
Pure and simple: book covers sell books. When the designer has produced a design that enhances sales and adds to the overall aesthetic quality of the book, remember to send him/her a signed copy of the book and a note of thanks. Let the designer place his/her logo on the back cover; thank him/her in the acknowledgements if the book has them. This person can be the key to great book sales!
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