Introducing My Vibrant Book Cover
I’m excited to reveal the cover of Autumn’s Adventure with Daddy: A Tale of Beauty and Happiness.
The incredible artist Gabrie’l Johnson created the illustrations.
She initially made two different covers. However, I chose this one because most of my team members gravitated toward it. After all, the cover created intrigue and stood out more than the other, which was more subdued.
To begin with, I had a ton of titles and chose the current one because a proofreader liked parts of it. I changed the title and added other elements, such as a subtitle, to focus on the big concepts, like happiness and beauty.
Here are a few of the titles I had initially.
· Autumn’s Stroll With Daddy: A Girl Discovers Beauty and Happiness
· Autumn and Her Daddy: A Story of Beauty and Happiness
· Autumn’s Journey: A Story of Beauty and Happiness
· Autumn’s Journey With Daddy: A Story of Beauty and Happiness
· Autumn’s Journey: A Story of Bonding, Beauty, and Happiness
At first, I consulted with a book cover designer who gave me a couple of terrific tips. One major piece of advice was to make sure the cover evoked some emotion and had illustrations that weren’t similar to the inside pages. I debated whether to hire a book cover artist and eventually decided not to.
After choosing the cover, I made a few changes and removed a boulder to the left of the picture. I also struggled with the font, as everything was in all caps, including the semi-title. Although hues of brown or yellow tempted me, a white font was initially the better choice because anything else would have been too much.
In addition, the book’s tree is spectacular and perfect for a story that takes place in the fall. I was not fond of fall as a child. Growing up in New England, fall seemed depressing, and I think it had to do with summer being gone and the awareness of winter’s approach. Winters in New England can be harsh.
Nevertheless, fall was a good setting because my characters change during their journey, and what happens in the story shapes their bond. As a result, fall has become a favorite of mine. Fall decorations are lovely. I purchased some extravagant bows at an Octoberfest, and I loved a store-bought wreath and fall orbs.
Just when my book design was complete, I made a significant change. I liked what I had, but I wanted more, so I hired a different designer. Let me share this: it’s not a bad thing to get a second opinion. The title font changed in style and color, making the cover stand out even more. The result was fun and bold typography, and I was highly pleased.
As you can see, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes when choosing a book cover. The design should capture a book’s emotion without giving away too much and must be attractive. I learned a lot about book cover design and book design in general. If I had any advice to give to someone who is struggling with getting their book designed, I would say the following:
Advice for those struggling with book design
1. Get a second opinion.
2. Choose someone in your genre.
3. Interview a few people and ask to see samples of their work.
4. Be persistent
Something to think about:
What do you think of my book’s cover and title? What elements of book cover design help you choose a book?
Thanks for reading,
Elvira