Judge a Book by its Cover, You Betcha!

First impressions matter, and for many book authors, that can be a painful fact. “Content is king” is the mantra authors cling to, but not always the way readers are attracted to books.

A great cover can make all the difference, and book designers know their obligation. Designers can bring alive the essence of the book, while drawing readers in to pick up your book. It’s a crucial investment for any serious writer who wants to sell books.

I know what authors say, but readers will discover my book for content alone - not true. In this competitive world, with literally thousands of new books released every week (not to mention the existing ones), authors need to realize their book must stand out. Book designers find the resonance of your content and deliver it to readers with one image.

Here are some tips for choosing a book designer: Ask for a portfolio: See for your own eyes what the designer has created for other book authors.

Ask for references: Listen to what past clients have to say about working with that designer or company.

Quality over cost: Resist the urge to go with price only. This is a book cover that has to last, and too many authors choose price, only to land up hiring another designer to do it right. Speak to the designer: Chemistry matters, and communication is paramount.

Know that designers are different from illustrators: Be sure to give the designer images, or the images used can be licensed or purchased.

Final say: You are the final say, but allow the designer to design before making a final decision.

Be specific: When can I expect a proof, what is included, that it is work for hire and that you retain all rights to the book cover.

Engage a quality book designer who truly understands your book, and you’ll find the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words true.

BEST PRACTICES: Content PRW’s

The Chicago Manual of Style (or CMS) was the ‘bible’ and every publishing student was required to have a copy when I attended NYU’s Master’s program in Marketing Management in Book and Magazine Publishing. Now in its 17th edition, and over 1.5 million copies sold, this style guide now offers editors a variety of tools, including a citation guide summary, searchable access to a Q&A, and discussions of the parts of a book and the editing process. An annual subscription is required to access the online content of the Manual. However, access to the Q&A and various editing tools is free. Here’s a quick overview of what is included in a professionally published book in regards to content.

The book should include ...

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