Self-Publishing - Choosing the cover design

Image courtesy of Kittisak at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In keeping with my promise to up date you on the elements of the self-publishing process as I am experiencing it, I thought today I would focus on the critical cover design. This is (or should be) the lynchpin to your entire process. Without a great cover, you don't have an image to draw people in when you're doing your PR and marketing for your book. It has to stand out among not only the myriad of other independent authors who have decided to 'go it alone' but also those who are traditionally published, all vying for the fickle eye-balls of potential readers. A cover has a split second to grab the buyer's attention and draw the reader into the next phase - reading the summary if you're selling online, or the back cover if they're standing in a book store (which is a subject for another blog) and finally to purchase.

Hire a Professional Designer

Many indie authors choose to go with a self-publishing package that includes cover design (make sure you have input and control over the final decision and that you own the design), and others decide that they're going to give it a shot themselves. Unless you have a graphic design background or God has blessed you with creative writing AND design talents, don't do it. I know what I like when I see it and I've worked with many graphic designers over the years but I wouldn't even think about attempting to create my own cover design. I'll stick with what I do best.

So, with that in mind, I hired a designer named Graham Booth of Creation Booth Designs who had also designed the cover of my traditionally published non-fiction book, @Home in Dubai... Getting Connected Online and on the Ground. The process was agonizing because I really grappled with what the look and feel should be.  Graham was so patient as I kept changing my mind and he'd come back (6 times I think) with a new crop of suggested designs.

Test the Design with your Target Audience

Throughout the process I also 'test marketed' the covers with a group of friends and professional colleagues who are all the exact target audience for the book. With their thoughtful input and, honestly, my gut feelings, I finally chose the design. For those of you who are interested in seeing the final cover design for Mental Pause, check it out my 'cover reveal' blog at Mental Pause - The Novel.

So far I'm enjoying the process, however, each step entails an agonizing number of details (if you do it right), second guessing and a few panic attacks. I wish it was launching tomorrow but I'm going to take a deep breath and move on to the next item on the check list!