Although publishers are the ones who tend to run with the design of the covers of their new releases, there is an increasingly prolific wave of freelance writers (o indies) that run through the entire process of creation and dissemination of their work: correction, layout or promotion, the cover being one of the cornerstones of any book just out of the oven. An essential element that requires these 5 tips to design the perfect cover for your book in order to get the best result.
Reflect the content of your work
Let's say you want to publish a book of stories set in Buenos Aires and you use the Cibeles for the cover because one of the stories also takes place in Madrid. Are you reflecting the concept of the book? Not quite. When designing your cover you should choose reflect the essence of the work using all your creativityBecause selling a misconception through that first impression can doom your work forever.
For example, the book whose cover accompanies the text, the essay Killer identities of Amin Maalouf, deals with the constant attack of certain cultures of the world to others throughout history. Add a claw and several colors and you will get the perfect (and global) definition of the work.
Be subtle
If your novel is a romantic story set during World War II, a photograph of a prisoner dying in the gas chamber will not be necessary. Like if you write a self-help book, a smiling woman having tea rather than crying uncontrollably will make a better impression. There is a fine line between inspiring the reader to want to know more about the book. . . or chase it away, and as an example of subtlety I can never think of a better cover than this one from 1984 by George Orwell. What do you think?
Harmony between the elements
A cover is made up of different elements: the title, author's name, shapes, backgrounds or colors. Trying to harmonize all these aspects, highlighting those that interest us but also giving importance to less obvious aspects will be essential when it comes to getting the perfect cover.
Get inspired by other covers
Leafing through old books, browsing Amazon, strolling through a bookstore or browsing Instagram are some ways to enter a world of books, covers and designs that can inspire us when creating our own. Remember that it will not be necessary to plagiarize, nor make a cover that is too similar, but yes take ideas from here and there to help us create a cover with personality.
Hire a designer
Copying and pasting images with Paint may be enough when doing a job for college or a photomontage for a cousin's wedding, but when it comes to creating the cover of YOUR book you have to take things much more seriously. For that reason, use a graphic designer or illustrator it becomes the best way not to risk too much at the same time that we take part in the creation of the cover. Both in social networks and in your WhatsApp agenda, you will surely be able to find that friend / acquaintance / artist who will help you carry the project forward for a competitive price.
What tricks do you apply when creating a cover?
It must be said that the quality of the content is very important but that a good cover is essential to give a book a sales outlet. Very good article, thank you.
Undoubtedly many books enter through the eye, hehehehe
Very interesting!