Welcome back to the second (new) edition of the book cover design awards. In the early days of The Book Designer, Joel Friedlander used to present monthly book cover design awards and we’re resurrecting the series (on a quarterly basis for now) to bring attention to...
Venturing into the realm of self-publishing is an exhilarating step for any author, particularly for those navigating this path for the first time. Among the myriad tasks you'll encounter, one stands out for its crucial impact on any book's physical presence:...
If you’ve spent any time on BookTok, you’ve likely come across the Magnolia Parks series by Jessa Hastings. And if you’ve looked any deeper at the series there, you’ve almost certainly seen videos talking about the change in book covers when Hastings signed with a...
In the world of graphic design, there are certain principles of design that are used behind the scenes to create graphics that are visually pleasing. Among these principles are the Gestalt principles—psychological principles and laws of perceptual organization that...
We’re approaching the 25th annual NaNoWriMo, as National Novel Writing Month is affectionately called, and every year a new crop of authors ask if it’s really possible to write an entire novel in just one month. The short answer is, yes. I’ve done it myself...
Do you ever worry about using real people in your writing? Fiction writers often worry about using real people’s names. Even memoirists and nonfiction writers identify people by name and worry about the ramifications. Can writers model characters after real people and...
In celebration of Banned Books Week (running from October 1–7, 2023), we’ve put together this roundup of banned book covers to inspire your inner rebel. As authors, banned books can be a touchy subject—and rightfully so. The list of books that have been banned...
When designing your cover, it’s a good idea to figure out what the best book cover fonts are that are currently available for use. There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting the “best” fonts: Is it readable within the context of the rest of your book cover...
Understanding the different parts of a book and what order they go in is essential for any aspiring author who's looking to self-publish their work. In this article, we'll break down the key components that make up a book, guiding you through each section's purpose...
Book cover design is where artistry meets strategy in self-publishing. Your book cover acts as a powerful ambassador, inviting readers into your narrative world. It's not just about art—it's about visual storytelling. A well-crafted cover extends an invitation to...
Welcome to the world of Amazon A+ Content, where we'll unravel the secrets of supercharging your book listings. If you're an aspiring author or a seasoned self-publisher, this guide is your backstage pass to make your books shine on Amazon. A+ Content isn't just...
A good book cover design is one of the most important elements of creating a successful book. But what goes into an amazing book cover? What are the essential parts of a good cover? Book cover design is part art and part science, a chance for creative expression...