Polish & share · Tip 79 of 82 · 4 min read
Design a Cover That Says "Read Me!"
Pick one big picture, bold lettering and a splash of mystery to make your book irresistible.
People say "don't judge a book by its cover", but everyone does! A great cover tells readers what kind of story is inside and makes them want to pick it up. Designing one is also a really fun way to finish your book.
Choose one big idea
The best covers usually show one strong picture, not the whole story. Pick a moment, a character or an object that sums up your book. A single glowing key can say more than ten tiny drawings.
Okay 😐
A cover showing the castle, the dragon, the princess, the horse, the forest, the village and the treasure all squashed together.
Wow! 🤩
A cover showing a dragon's huge eye peering through a castle window, with a girl's small hand holding a candle in front of it.
Colours set the mood
- Dark blues and purples feel spooky or magical.
- Bright yellows and oranges feel funny and full of energy.
- Greens and browns feel like nature and adventure.
- Pale pinks and soft colours feel gentle and cosy.
Make the title easy to read
Write your title big and bold, so it can be read from across the room. Put your name as the author too. You wrote it, so you deserve the credit!
Leave a little mystery
A cover should make readers ask a question. Why is the cat wearing a crown? What's behind that door? If they want the answer, they'll open the book.