Between Drafts

How to Design a Winning Book Cover

20 snips
Sep 9, 2025
Delve into the fascinating world of book cover design! The hosts share personal tales of designer collaborations, revealing the essential role of clear communication and genre alignment. Discover the complexities of creating compelling creative briefs and the balancing act of stock image use. They shine a light on industry insights, from traditional publishing pitfalls to the evolving landscape shaped by technology. Plus, explore how cover art rights can impact merchandising opportunities. It's a vibrant discussion for aspiring authors and design enthusiasts alike!
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ADVICE

Hire For Genre Fit And Give Clear Direction

  • Pick a designer who specializes in your book's genre and give clearer, specific directions when hiring.
  • Use genre, comps, and mood boards to avoid mismatched stylistic instincts from designers.
INSIGHT

Covers Signal Genre Expectations

  • Covers must signal genre conventions to attract the right readers even if that means following familiar tropes.
  • A cover that diverges from genre look can reach a broader audience but may miss niche bestseller channels.
ADVICE

Build A Thorough Creative Brief

  • Create a detailed creative brief that treats the designer like a reader and includes genre, era, locales, characters, themes, and comps.
  • Provide a mood board, sample covers, and the first chapter to help designers grasp tone quickly.
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