Since I began Indie Designz, this is a question I get asked a lot. I just finished up a guest post for the Adopt an Indie that’ll be featured on November 16th about this very topic. I thought I’d also write a little about it here as well. I honestly don’ t have THE answer to this question. I think it’s important a book cover is clear in its message, easy to read, and makes a connection to the story. HOW they do this is totally up to you. It could be through unique fonts, awesome images, or a brand logo. Regardless of how you do it, you must emotionally connect with your reader from the moment they see the cover until they read the last word of your book, and if you can maintain that emotional connection from beginning to end, then in my opinion you have a great book cover.
I realize I’m probably in the minority on what makes a book cover great. I’m one of those few people that does NOT choose a book based upon its cover. I choose books based upon their titles. I’m weird like that I know, but I definitely believe if you can emotionally connect with a person through your cover art, then the experience they have while reading your book will be completely different than if the cover does not capture them. This is why when I design a cover I ask about characters, scenes, and feel of the book. I learn more from those answers than if the author just tells me they want a specific picture on the book. By being emotionally involved myself, I’m able to portray the emotions that I felt as the author described the book into a cover. Most people may not agree with me and that is ok. There is no single road to creating a great book cover. It’s more important you figure out what works best for you and your book than trying to just copy whatever the next person is doing. While it might be best for them, it may not for you. So focus on your book and your audience, and then just create.
