How to Create a Book Cover That Sells

“Your cover is the promise. The content is the delivery.” – Kickass Writers Guide

You only get one shot at a first impression. In the world of self-publishing, that first impression is almost always your book cover.

Whether readers are browsing Amazon, scrolling through Instagram, or walking past a table at a local book fair, a strong book cover can stop them in their tracks. A weak one? They’ll scroll right past it, even if your writing is brilliant.

In this writer’s guide, we’ll show you what makes a cover work, how to create one on a budget, and when it’s worth hiring a professional.

Your Book Cover Matters More Than You Think

Your book cover is much more than a decoration. It’s your strategic marketing tool. It’s responsible for grabbing attention, signaling your book’s genre, creating expectations around quality and tone, and making your book look legitimate and trustworthy.

A strong book cover has the power to significantly boost your clicks, conversions, and ultimately sales. Even the best-written story can be overshadowed by a poorly designed cover. Your cover doesn’t need to explain your story. It needs to sell it.

Three Goals of a High-Converting Cover

1. Genre Fit. Readers should instantly recognize what kind of book it is. Romance? Thriller? Middle-grade adventure? Your cover should make that clear within two seconds.
2. Visual Clarity. It must look good as a thumbnail, especially on Amazon. That means bold title text, strong contrast, and clean imagery.
3. Professional Design. A polished look builds trust. It signals that your content is worth the reader’s time and money.

Three Common Book Cover Mistakes

1. Trying to Show the Whole Plot. Don’t cram everything into the cover. Focus on mood, tone, and genre.
2. Using Free Images with Clashing Styles. Mixing art styles or low-quality images screams “amateur.”
3. Poor Typography. Fonts are everything. Avoid overused or hard-to-read fonts, and don’t use too many different styles.

Free vs Paid Book Cover Design?

When it comes to the cover, which should you choose: free or paid?

Free (DIY) Cover Options

DIY covers are often best for test projects, short stories, or early drafts, not for flagship book launches. These are ideal if you’re an indie author on a tight budget and have some design sense.

Best Tools:

• Canva (with book cover templates)
• BookBrush (free basic plan)
• Adobe Express

Pros:

• No cost or very low cost
• Total creative control
• Quick turnaround

Cons:

• Learning curve for good design
• Limited access to high-quality images or fonts
• Can easily look unprofessional if not done well

Paid Cover Design Options

If you’re publishing your first serious book, a professional cover is often worth the investment.

Options Include:

• Pre-made covers: Designers offer ready-made covers you can customize with your title and name. Cost: $30–$100.
• Custom covers: A designer creates a cover from scratch based on your genre, story, and audience. Cost: $150–$600+.
• Formatting packages: Some services bundle design and formatting together for convenience.

Pros:

• High-end design quality
• Genre-aware styling
• Includes spine and back cover for print
• Designer handles technical specs for Amazon KDP

Cons:

• Costs more upfront
• Requires communication and revision rounds
• Delivery may take a week or more

When to Upgrade to a Paid Cover

Consider a paid cover if:

• You’re publishing a debut novel you want to promote heavily
• You plan to enter Amazon ads or a book award contest
• You want your cover to match market expectations
• Your genre is highly competitive (e.g., thrillers, romance, fantasy)

Still unsure? Use a DIY cover to test interest, then invest in a paid version if the book gains traction.

Elements of a Winning Book Cover

Here’s what every great self-published book cover needs:

Title Typography

• Clear and legible at thumbnail size
• Contrasts with the background
• Avoids decorative fonts unless genre-appropriate

Visual Hierarchy

• Title is the largest; author’s name is second
• Subtitles (if used) are smaller but readable

Imagery

• High-resolution photo or illustration
• Consistent in style, color tone, and lighting
• Evokes the right emotion or atmosphere

Color Scheme

• Genre-aligned (e.g., dark tones for suspense, bright for romcoms)
• Avoids clashing hues or muddy palettes
• Looks good in black and white (for print proofs or grayscale devices)

Back Cover (Print)

• Blurb with space to breathe
• Author photo (optional)
• Barcode placeholder for Amazon
• Consistent fonts and colors with front cover

Where to Find Cover Designers

• Reedsy Marketplace – Top-tier professionals; higher prices
• 99designs – Crowd-sourced cover concepts; great for multiple ideas
• Fiverr or Upwork – Budget-friendly options; vet carefully
• Social media groups – Indie author forums or Facebook groups often have recommended designers

Pro Tip: Always ask to see samples in your genre, and confirm that commercial use licenses are included for any stock photos used.

Book Cover Design Checklist

Use this checklist before uploading your book cover to Amazon KDP:

• My title is easy to read at thumbnail size
• My cover clearly signals my book’s genre
• The fonts and layout look professionally balanced
• My cover design is consistent across ebook and print
• I’ve previewed my cover in grayscale and on mobile
• The file meets Amazon KDP size and format guidelines
• I tested reactions with 2–3 ideal readers or peers

We hope you found this writer’s guide helpful and inspiring. It’s intended to provide you with the necessary tools and insights to succeed as a new indie author.

For more guidance, see our other writer’s guides in the series, start with Amazon KDP Made Easy—7 Steps for Self-Publishing. You might also like AI Empowers New Indie Authors: 5 Best Hacks.

If you have a draft and want to explore how AI can help you self-publish it, read, Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.

Writing is an ongoing adventure, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. However, you don’t have to go through this alone. We’re here to accompany you every step of the way, providing you with support and motivation. Our goal is to give you the necessary knowledge and practical advice to navigate the world of writing with more confidence.

Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our Contact form. Happy writing!