A Book Cover is Like a Suit by Keri Neal

You pick it out, you try it on, you iron it. Then you put it on and you wear it to your interview. The rest is up to the success of the interview. But if you show up dressed in holey jeans and a mustard stain on your blouse, you probably won’t be taken seriously. The same can be said about a book cover. You can write a great story and an enticing blurb, but if the cover is unprofessional and ugly then you probably won’t sell your book.

 

No pressure, right?

 

This is not to say that a well written book cannot sell itself regardless of the cover, but we are a very lazy society. We want to be visually stimulated before we spend the energy to flip the book over and read the blurb. So what are readers looking for? Well the answer to that question changes daily, but I have broken it down into three elements: content, layout and readability.

 

Content: Make a list of everything you want on your cover. Keep it simple, if there’s too much going on the result will be cluttered and confusing. If you are publishing an ebook, consider how small the icon will appear in the online bookstore.  Also, there’s something to be said about the single-image background. It may seem lazy, but the carefully chosen single image can be very effective in portraying your book’s theme.

 

Layout: Sketch out your cover. Place your title, your name (if you are the author) and any other content necessary for publication (publisher’s logo, series name, i.e.). Now decide how your content will fit it. Size your elements, decide what will stay and what has to go and make sure there is enough space between your elements for them to breathe. When you are done with your sketch, set it across the room and look at it from a distance. When your cover is laid out the way you want it, you are read for the final step.

 

Readability: Once you’ve translated your sketch to the computer, you will want to play with fonts and colors. As tempting as it is, do not use the frilly font you just downloaded and have been dying to use. It won’t translate well on your cover. Trust me. Same goes for your favorite hot pink color. You will give your readers a headache from staring at it so long because they can’t read past the loopy font. Here’s a tip: Google Fonts has a collection of gorgeous fonts that will work on the computer or in print. As for your favorite color, ColourLovers is a great tool for picking colors that will not hurt your eyes.

 

Even after you planned and sketched, you still may decide that something isn’t working. Go back to your content list. You may decide that one element doesn’t look as great as it did in your head. Take that element out, resize the other elements. Go back to your sketch and resketch it. Go back to the computer and make changes. Wash, Rinse, Repeat until you are completely happy with your final cover.

 

I hope I’ve given you some good advice today. If you are designing a cover for someone else remember this: if the author ain’t happy, ain’t no one gonna be happy. This means that the above tips should only be used as a guide. If the author still wants the lime green unicorn with the Sanskrit font and fifty other elements to be include in their cover, then guess what? That’s what you are going to give them J

 

Keri Neal is a native Californian who calls Texas “Home”. She is the author of Split (Self Published, January 2013) and Torn (Still Moments Publishing, February 2013). She was the cover artist for Still Moments Publishing from September 2011 to March 2013. Now she has a freelance business called Book Covers by Keri. She lives near Austin with her husband, two children, two hamsters and a snake. She crochets, sews, reads, paints and loves all things artsy and craftsy.

HELPING AUTHORS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS

Folks, I've got two special ladies here today to share the news of their new enterprise. Exciting times are ahead for them...and, perhaps, for those of you who take advantage of the services they provide. Listen up, y'all!

Greetings and Salutations!

 

Many thanks to Vonnie for hosting us on her blog today! We’ve got some really exciting news to share with everyone so grab that cuppa and let the blogging begin!

 

 

September 1-15^th marks the official

Grand Opening of Mystical Press Services!!!

This means 50% Off all our classes

and services through September 15^th!

http://mysticalpress.com

 

In case you haven’t yet heard about our website, allow me to introduce you to a place where you just might find the fulfillment of your dreams. That’s right! The talented folks at Mystical Press want to help you reach your publishing goals! 

How do we do that? I’m glad you asked!

 

ARIAL BURNZ

 

Mystical Press is the culmination of an idea that came from two authors and professionally trained editors—Arial Burnz and AJ Nuest—where we help authors bridge the gap between the form rejection letter and publication. In fact, we believe in this venture so passionately, our tagline is “Helping authors achieve their dreams.”

AJ NUEST

 

At Mystical Press our primary goal is to help writers. As authors, we understand the frustration of not receiving constructive and useful feedback, the aggravation of navigating the murky depths of the publishing industry and that, sometimes, authors just need a place to vent. Well, we’re here to tell you, the insanity can end!

 

Like-minded individuals can gather online at Mystical Press to work one-on-one with professional editors who help authors prepare their manuscripts for submission. Whether you are looking for a Manuscript Evaluation, Submission Evaluation, or a full story edit, we will give you honest, encouraging feedback and work diligently with you on your story to make sure it’s ready to land on an editor’s desk. No project is too big or too small and all receive the same precise attention to detail.

Perhaps your submission is ready but you need assistance with smaller editing projects like a query letter and synopsis? Have no fear! Mystical Press is here! We offer a full edit of query letters and synopses with comments and suggestions that come directly from AN EDITOR! TAH-DAH!

 

And don’t worry! If your goal is to write your very own dynamite synopsis, at Mystical Press we believe in “teaching a man to fish”. Our Power Class, How to Write a WINNING Synopsis, is designed to easily guide you through the process of crafting your very own synopsis! Yes, that’s right. I used “easily” and “synopsis” in the same sentence!

 

 

The self-paced course curriculum at Mystical Press can assist in tackling those pesky problem areas as well (e.g., show vs. tell, POV shifts, realistic character and story development, etc.). If you’ve read books, articles and/or taken workshops and are still in search of that elusive contract offer, perhaps Mystical Press can help. Take one class or take a whole series—our online classes are designed to meet each writer’s individual needs.

 

Is your next project of the self-publishing variety? Mystical Press has a selection of pre-made covers we guarantee will only be used once! No one will have the same cover! Or, if you’d like, we can design a cover specifically tailored to your vision—you will work one-on-one with our talented cover artists! We are also happy to edit your baby and can even format the document to meet the specifications of most popular self-publishing platforms. 

 

Remember to mention Mystical Press to all your friends and fellow writing pals – here’s why. Mystical Press offers a free Referral Program. Just register on the site and we will assign you a Referral ID. If anyone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you earn a referral fee! Whether you choose cash or a credit for products or services on the site, consider this our thank you for helping us spread the word. 

 

 

 

Oh! And before I forget…we offer a wide range of gift certificates designed specifically with the writer in mind. Tired of searching for the “write” present for your author pals? Maybe that next birthday calls for an eGift from Mystical Press!

 

So now that you know all about us, please tell us all about you! Head on over to Mystical Press and register free on the site. Everyone who does will be entered into our drawing for fabulous gifts and prizes! Join our celebration and together we will strive to get your voice heard! 

My First Book Cover -- Where are my tissues??

All writers imagine what their first book cover will look like. We make suggestions to the graphic artists or the publishers. We wait. We wonder. Then when the finished product wiggles into our mailbox like a cocoon about to burst, we take a deep breath and click on the attachment, eager to see the book cover butterfly that bursts forth on our screens. Smiles bloom. A whoosh of air escapes and we realize we've been holding our breath in anticipation...or fear. Our eyes drink in every aspect, every artistic nuance of the cover and then it lands on our names. A long-held dream come true: my name on the cover of a book. And the tears start. This was my experience last night.

Rae Monet, a talented graphic artist at The Wild Rose Press and the one I'd requested because of her beautiful cover for Beth Trissels's Enemy of the King, did a super job on my cover as well. She'd taken my garbled "wants" and turned them into a cover that is perfect for my contemporary romance set in the Hill Country of Texas. Did I cry when I first saw it? Does chocolate melt in your mouth?

Here's a blurb about Storm's Interlude:

Nurse Rachel Dennison comes to Texas determined to prepare her new patient for a second round of chemo. What she isn’t counting on is her patient’s twin brother, Storm Masterson.

Half Native American with the ability to have “vision dreams,” Storm dreams about Rachel for three nights before her arrival. Both are unprepared for the firestorm of emotions their first chance encounter ignites. Even so, Storm has two things Rachel won’t abide: a domineering personality and a fiancée.


Yet, ultimately, it is Rachel’s past—an abusive, maniacal ex-boyfriend—that threatens to keep them apart…and Storm’s dreams that bring them together again.


Thank you, Rae, for a job well-done. Doing the happy dance here in Lynchburg, Virginia. Hugs to you and your fabulous talent, Rae Monet.