From Writers in the Storm:
Practically speaking, a book cover is just a tool to bind and protect the pages of a book. But every writer – and every consumer – knows that a book cover is so much more. Your cover is a visual ambassador for your book: it’s a marketing tool, a billboard for your brand, and sometimes even a small piece of art available to the reading public.
Having a great book cover is an essential for a successful author, so here are ten key book cover design tips that will ensure you’re getting the most out of yours.
10 Design Tips for a “Buy Now” Book Cover
1. Don’t use too many typefaces. Limit yourself to two. Some book covers may require a third typeface; others can shine with just one. Too many fonts cheapen your overall look and make you seem less professional.
2. Don’t overload your cover with ideas. A book cover is a visual elevator pitch—you’ve got literally milliseconds to convince a potential reader. And if you can’t boil your book down to one central concept, you’re in trouble. As a writer, you know about main ideas and supporting details. The front cover gets your main idea. A few supporting details go on the back in your book blurb.
3. Don’t skimp on an illustrator. Seek out a talented professional if your book requires a custom image – and be prepared to pay them for their services. Custom illustration isn’t cheap, but nothing kills a cover like a bad illustration.
Link to the rest at Writers in the Storm
Some decent tips in the OP. Some not, like this one: “4. Don’t rely on Photoshop for imagery.”
(I primarily use Photoshop for my covers, but then, I’ve got 35 years experience using it)
BTW: I run the Book Cover Reviews group on Goodreads, and all are welcome to run your covers by us for feedback.
AlllynH: Broken links? Sounds like a good idea, though. I’ve seen far too many book covers where I can’t read the title or author’s name. Someone should test it somehow.
No broken links. By listing things that way it avoids TPV dealing with multiple links, and having to approve the page.
Highlight the words:
Paul Bacon book covers
Then, with your mouse, right click “search with google”
This will open the google window. At that point, click on “Images” and it will switch to the Google Images window, showing all of the book covers.
That’s a quick way to search without having to copy & paste, or type the words.
I suspect that people are confusing the “art” that they may put behind the words on the cover, for the “cover”.
Google Images – Paul Bacon book covers
Google Image – Carl Hiaasen book covers
For covers that I like.
Focus on the clarity of the words on the cover, visible at thumbnail size, then play with variations on background art, if any.
For fun, I always load an image of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, where God is reaching out to touch Adam’s finger, into the background. If I suddenly can’t see the words clearly, then I create a simple image like in the Bacon and Hiaasen examples above.