Self-Publishing Your Book - a Concise Training Course | Part 7 of 9 - Your Book Cover

Your Book Cover:

The design of the cover of your book is particularly important to gaining the attention of prospective buyers. Consider the following:

• Remember too, by "cover", we mean both the front and back covers AND the spine of the book.
• Colors can influence buying mood. Research how colors affect us. Visit some bookshops and note which book colors catch your attention first.
• Certain color combinations stand out better and can make a difference to the number of sales. For example, black text on a mostly yellow background (even yellow text on a mainly black background can show up well when used on a computer screen).
• A specialist book printer can design a cover for you as part of their "package". Or you can contact a graphic designer. However, you need to make sure any outside graphic designers talk with your printer to ensure what they produce is compatible. Usually, the safest option is to use the graphic design services of a specialist book printer.
• If you provide a cover illustration or photograph, make sure you either "own" the image or have written permission to use the illustration. If you took the photo yourself, make sure you keep any negatives or maintain copies of date and time-stamped digital copies.
• You may also need to provide the "blurb" text that goes on the back cover - a short piece of text that summarizes the book and is designed to persuade prospective customers to buy your book. Think benefits - from the potential buyer's perspective. This is where you can sell your book, so time and effort spent on every word that makes up your blurb, is time well spent. Get second opinions.
• To get ideas of how your blurb should appear, see how at the blurb used on similar, popular books - ideally bestsellers - is written. Scrutinize every word.
• If you have quotes or testimonials of previously satisfied readers, or favorable reviews, excellent! By all means, include these, or the key parts of them.
• Before final publication, you'll need to make sure your printer agrees to send you a "proof" copy of the cover design, so that you can evaluate and make any corrections before final printing.
• Book printers can nowadays routinely finish your book cover with a glossy laminate, either as standard or for a small extra cost. This helps make the printing look brighter and your books clean.

Backup Copies

• Before sending your manuscript to your printer, always keep at least one other backup copy - preferably keep several backup copies with at least one copy at a separate location.
• Never send or post the only copy of your manuscript to your printing company - or anyone else.
• Let whoever you send your copy to that you have original backup copies.
• If you cannot deliver your manuscript by hand, make sure you use registered post or recorded delivery type postal services.

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