GRAB YOUR READERS’ ATTENTION DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR YOUR BOOK COVER
JOANN SONDY Chicago Self-Publishing Meet-up (June 2, 2015) Copyright 2015 ◆ Joann Sondy ◆ Creative Aces Corp.
“The look and design of the cover is MOST important...” Publishers Weekly
JOANN SONDY Chicago Self-Publishing Meet-up
Copyright 2015 ◆ Joann Sondy ◆ Creative Aces Corp.
THE COVER CREATES A CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR BOOK AND YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE.
CATEGORIES (GENRES)
GENRES ARE DISTINGUISHABLE
COMPATIBLE WITH READER’S PREFERENCES ■ Colors ■ Type styles ■ Graphics ■ Format
THE TITLE: CONCISE AND COMPELLING*
* There will always be exceptions, work with your editor to craft the most effective title.
SIZZLING SPOT-ON TITLE
■ TITLE = EMOTION Speaks to/from the ‘heart’ ■ SUBTITLE = LOGIC Speaks to/from the ‘head’
PHOTOS & ILLUSTRATIONS Attention ‘grabbing’ Illustrations and photographs connect with content or theme.
Do NOT use: Image downloaded from a Google search! Your own artwork, allowable if you are a professional photog/artist/illustrator
HOW TO ADD [VISUAL] DRAMA Negative space for titles, name, etc. Create: action, movement, whimsy, nostalgia and mystery
Contrast Mystery
Contrast Nostalgia
Nostalgia Action
Action Movement
Movement Whimsy
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
NEVER, EVER PUT YOUR PHOTO ON THE FRONT COVER*
* Unless you’re a “celebrity” in your market.
IF YOUR DESIGNER IS USING THESE... WALK AWAY, NOW!
ABCdef ABCdef
Specifications are VERY specific.
CASE STUDY MY WORKFLOW
COMP #5
BALLANTYNE STRONG INC. CORPORATE OFFICES 13710 FNB Parkway, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 US & Canada: 800-424-1215 Phone: (402) 453-4444 Fax: (402) 453-7238
BACK COVER
Ballantyne Strong 2014 Annual Report Cover Composites ~ aka ‘ideas’ March 4, 2015 4:11 PM Joann Sondy | Creative Aces joann@creativeaces.com office: 773-327-4538 | mobile: 231-633-0945
2014 Annual Report and 10-K
FRONT COVER
Ballantyne & Convergent supplied images are for placement only.
COMP #3
BACK COVER
Ballantyne Strong 2014 Annual Report Cover Composites ~ aka ‘ideas’ March 4, 2015 4:11 PM Joann Sondy | Creative Aces joann@creativeaces.com office: 773-327-4538 | mobile: 231-633-0945
FRONT COVER
Ballantyne & Convergent supplied images are for placement only.
COMP #2
BACK COVER
Ballantyne Strong 2014 Annual Report Cover Composites ~ aka ‘ideas’ March 4, 2015 4:11 PM Joann Sondy | Creative Aces joann@creativeaces.com office: 773-327-4538 | mobile: 231-633-0945
FRONT COVER
Ballantyne & Convergent supplied images are for placement only.
BALLANTYNE STRONG INC. 13710 FNB Parkway, Suite 400
●
PH: (402) 453-4444
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
●
US & Canada: (800) 424-1215
www.strong-world.com
2014 ANNUAL REPORT AND 10-K
2005: OUR FIRST BOOK
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Copyright © 2014 Dominic R. Sondy All rights reserved. Published by Creative Aces Publishing, a division of Creative Aces Corporation; Chicago, Illinois
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“Spend your energy on the text and your money on the cover. Without a great cover, your potential audience will never find out how great your text is.” – Dan Poynter, The Self-Publishing Manual
HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR COVER DONE? ■ Fast. ■ Cheap. ■ Good.
Pick ONE.
You can’t have all three.
WORKING WITH YOUR DESIGNER ■ Conduct your own ‘field’ research of
cover designs. ■ A synopsis to share with your designer. ■ Be honest and upfront. ■ Clear, concise title. ■ Review and understand the design contract. ■ Provide feedback on the composites. ■ Ensure usage rights of any/all imagery. ■ Does it work in minature? ■ How will the cover be used in marketing? JOANN SONDY Chicago Self-Publishing Meet-up Copyright 2015 ◆ Joann Sondy ◆ Creative Aces Corp.
RESOURCES: Chicago Women in Publishing www.cwip.org Directories Graphic Artists & Illustrators: www.creativehotlist.com www.chicago.aiga.org www.behance.net www.directoryofillustration.com Book Cover Inspiration www.chipkidd.com www.bookcoverarchive.com www.thebookdesigner.com
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