Apr 13, 2013

7 Tips for Choosing Your Book Cover Art

Cover reveal! Dognapped?, the first book in the Dog Show Detective Mystery series is almost ready for release! Can you tell I'm excited? If you'd like to be involved in the Dognapped? blog tour, check for details at the bottom of this post.
Cover design is an essential elements for your novel if you want a professional product. And you do want a professional product. The first impression readers will have of your novel is your cover. Make sure it entices!

Here are my tips for choosing the perfect image:
  1. Represent your genre. Research to see what styles are trending in your genre. E.g. Romance readers like a couple embracing or often a hunky fellow with his shirt off. But if you write romantic comedy, you might show a couple back to back instead (to emphasise the conflicts rather than the romance scenes).
  2. Professional images. There are so many sites such as Shutterstock, where you can purchase a licence to us professional images. Many will need very little manipulating to turn into a brilliant cover. If you are illustrating your cover, keep in mind composition. Make sure the artwork covers the entire space, it looks terrible when it doesn't quite reach the edges.
  3. Don't over-clutter. I see a lot of covers where the author has tried to include every element of the story, setting and characters on the cover. It just gets busy. Less is more. A simple symbol (like a crow or tombstone for horror  stories) is more effective than a crowded cover.
  4. Go with the trends. For YA novels, the grunge look is huge with the faded or blackened edges. Almost all genres are embracing the vintage look too now, with a silkscreened or cut-out look that you would expect from the 1950s.
  5. Experiment. If you're releasing an e-book and you can't narrow down your choices, upload one for a while and then change. See which one sells better.
  6. Trust the experts. I always have a clear idea of what I want on my cover, and then my graphic designer (www.bookcovercafe.com) shows me something better. Don't be stubborn, be open to ideas and suggestions.
  7. The reader's choice is more important than yours. My books are mostly for kids 10-13, so even if I love, love, love a cover design, I have to listen when a whole bunch if kids tell me they don't like it.
Want to know more about cover design? Here's some more links:
DIY Book Covers - an overview of everything you need to know.
How to Font Your Cover - Font, it's more important than you think!
Help me celebrate the release of Dognapped?
I'll be releasing Dognapped? in May and I'd love and appreciate your help! Dognapped? is a mystery novel for girls aged 9-12yrs. If you'd like to join the blog tour, sign up below. I'll email you closer to the release date to provide you with a fully-formatted post you can simply add to your blog to save you time and effort (or feel free to write your own, send me interview questions or provide a topic you'd like me to write about for your blog).
Will there be prizes? YES! I'm thinking... Kindle Fire and Amazon gift cards.


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24 comments:

  1. Hi, an informative post. Thanks for visiting my blogs and also for adding your comment.

    Thanks
    Rajiv
    http://www.magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.com
    http://www.magicalpresent.blogspot.com

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  2. Great tips for covers. I'm loving your cover for your new book. Looks awesome! And professional! More than happy to help out a fellow Aussie author.

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    1. Thanks so much Lynda, you are always helping authors, you're very much appreciated. I'll email details later. Letting everyone recover from A-Z first :)

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  3. Great post and I'll be keeping this in mind for the future. I'd be glad to help you spread the word on your book, so let me know :)

    http://leftandwriteblog.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thankyou Mark! I'll email out dates and details later. I'm going to give bloggers time to recover from their April A-Z challenge first.

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  4. That's a great cover! It looks really professional. I'm also partial because the dog looks like I terrier, and my dog happens to be a terrier mix. :)

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    1. Thanks Erin. You spotted it. This particular dog is an Australian terrier. Each mystery will focus on a different breed, but this little fellow becomes a regular alongside a border collie and miniature schnauzer. As a bit of a mix lover myself, I'll try to find a way to work in a few more unusual looking 'mutts' :)

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  5. Yes, yes, yes on three! And seven is quite wise.

    Congratulations, Char. This is really exciting. :)

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  6. A sharp book cover catches my eye. Thanks for sharing these useful tips.

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  7. Great post, Charmaine. You're welcome to feature on my Flights of Imagination blog one Monday.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary, that's lovely! I'll be in touch :)

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  8. I have to say, you do such a good job with covers. Of all the self-publishing middle grade authors, your covers look the most professional.

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    1. That's so sweet Theresa! Thank you. And I have to admit, left to my own devices, they'd probably look a bit dodgy. I'm so lucky to have such a great team working on the book for me :)

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  9. Hi, Charmaine,

    Thanks for the amazing tips about cover art... IT is SO important to have a professional looking cover!

    Congrats on your new release! Love the dog. So cute. ALL the best!

    May is crazy for me, but I would like to help out with your tour. When exactly is it?

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    1. Hi Michael, Thanks! I am excited about the book :)

      I'm thinking about having the release about mid-May, just waiting to confirm with my team that the files will all be ready and uploaded by then. I think I'll have everything ready by the start of May, but want to give the A-Zers time to recover!

      I'll pop out an email to let my fav blogging peeps know more later, but I don't want anyone to feel obligated.I will do up a pre-written post as a choice for bloggers pressed for time to write their own. If its a bit busy for you then, I totally understand - a tweet, wave or crossed fingers will be just as appreciated :)

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  10. Covers are such a crucial part to indie publishing success. Great tips!

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  11. Great cover. Sure, I'll celebrate with you.

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  12. Sounds like you did a lot of research before proceeding with a cover, and it shows. Congratulations.

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  13. Great post and tips on cover design. I'm bookmarking! And congrats...I've added my name to the list!

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  14. Useful and informative post, as always, Charmaine.

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