The Secrets I've Learned about Designing a Book Cover -- By Matthew J. Elliott

I love to create things! In fact, I do it so often that I make up random designs just to do it. Right now I have a whole file of them just waiting for me to find a place to share them.

This post is meant to give you a little insight into what I've learned it takes to design a simple yet elegant book cover.

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I can tell you there is a learning curve, and you have to have an eye for balancing colors, but it's worth it, in the end, to put your name on something you've genuinely created.

If you're interested in hearing my thoughts, save this post or keep on reading. I am sharing a few of my secrets today...
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When I first started my journey as a writer, I thought it was going to be easy, I would publish my stuff and share it on my Facebook page or in my email list, and the rest would be history, I was wrong.

I had no idea how hard it can be to produce new content as often as I needed. I instantly regretted not taking the time to learn how to design a cover and format my books before embarking on the journey.

NOTHING WENT THE WAY I WANTED IT TO!

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Here are three of the secrets I've learned about creating a book cover.

1. Finding pictures that communicate the message of your book, while making sure you have the rights to do so.

There are tons and tons of pictures on Google every day, but what you may not know it that people own those pictures and they have the rights to distributing them. Using photographs that you don't own the rights to ensures struggle down the road.

It is essential to take the time to research free websites that can give you pictures that can to use without having to worry about a potential court case or fine. I usually take my own if I can.

YOU MUST OWN THE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS OR ENSURE ITS RIGHTS ARE PUBLIC DOMAIN!

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2. Identifying how you are going to build your cover is no easy task and can cost a ton of money.

There are several ways you can build a cover. In the past, I've used many of them and failed. The reality is though that unless you are willing to spend a bit of money, free cover design resources are limited.

My first book cover was a disaster, and everyone shunned my eye for design. Now, that's not the case anymore but, the reality was there.

DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ENSURE YOU HAVE A USER-FRIENDLY METHOD FOR DESIGN!

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3. Ensure that you format and position the cover content and the file itself correctly.

Formatting the cover the right way is fundamental, if you don't you may lose a specific test that really matters in printing, there needs to be a solid 1/2 inch barrier on each side to ensure you don't drop your cover text of the book.

When formatting the back-cover text, it's considerably smaller than you may think, so I always try my best to limit the back cover text to less than 250 words. If you go more, it's okay, just keep your readers in mind.

IT WILL SHOW YOUR READERS YOU CARE ABOUT THEM!

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It's okay to ask for help when you are designing your book cover, it's not a simple process, and it takes time to create something that will attract your readers. It's also okay to try to discover designing your cover on your own.

EMBRACE THE LEARNING CURVE EITHER WAY!

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So that's it, guys.

Sorry, if it was a bit lengthy, but I hope this has 
encouraged you to go design your next book cover.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Times of Refreshing come by HIS Hand,

M.E.

PS, Here are a few links to FREE Websites for Pictures...

Pixaby
Unsplash
Beta Site= Freely Photo's