Most writers, self-publishers, and really any expert in the Publishing world would agree that doing your own book covers is a bad idea. While we all want to think no one judges a book by its cover, the truth is, that’s the first thing people judge it by, so you can bet it needs to be good.
However, one of the main reasons that I wanted to self-publish was that I didn’t want to give up control over the decision making with my book, with the cover being one specific item that was important to me.
I shopped around for designers for a while, but when it came down to it, I couldn’t find someone with my vision in mind. So, if you’re like me, creative, handy with photo editing software, and think you have the confidence to create something great, keep reading.
The first book cover of my first book, as you can tell, was not the best cover in the world. It was decent for having no editing software, and a poor quality camera to take the photo with, but I’m glad I upgraded that cover later on.
From there, my covers have only gotten better, and here’s why.
I started studying, not actually going to school, but looking at covers in my genre, watching YouTube videos like this one that showed how they made certain covers, and reading different blogs about cover design.
What I learned is that you need to follow the format of your genre, use good quality, high resolution images that you can expand without getting pixelated, make sure everything is inside the margins…the usual stuff.
But, most importantly, you need to make sure the cover is something you would pick up off the shelf. Because if you wouldn’t buy it, why should someone else?
I find that the best way for me to make a decent cover is to follow an example, inspiration, that sort of thing. With my latest cover for Until You, I was inspired by Becky Albertalli and her books.
I truly believe that there is no reason someone with software knowledge and creative skills cannot design their own book covers. In fact, I’d never used Photoshop until I redesigned the first Travelers book.
All I really had in the beginning was an idea, a creative mind, and determination to make my covers everything I knew they could be. If I can do it, you can, too!
Good luck with your cover endeavors!
Xoxo,
Ellie,