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Cover Design Books We Love

Anita Nipane

Book Cover Design Formula

By Anita Nipane
Book 4 of the author’s series focuses on the basics of what readers expect when looking at a book cover, and how authors can measure their cover against those expectations. It’s a straightforward read with lots of specific detail from her perspective as an art director and marketer.

Stuart Bache

The Author's Guide to Cover Design

By Stuart Bache
Stuart Bache is a well-known designer, with many bestselling designs under his belt. In his guide, he stresses the importance of design briefs when working with cover designers, and breaks down the elements that make designs successful from the marketing perspective.

R Haskell

Cover Your Book: An Author's Guide to Working with a Designer to Maximize your Sales

By Rebekah Haskell
Haskell includes several case studies detailing several genres and gives solid tips for working with designers for both custom design and premades. She also includes advice for audiobook and other non-print versions of design.

JD Smith

The Importance of Book Cover Design and Formatting: For self-published authors

By JD Smith
Author JD Smith offers less of a technical how-to guide, but rather insight into what an author needs to ensure a properly formatted cover with loads of examples and comparisons.

Derek Murphy

Book Cover Design Secrets You Can Use to Sell More Books

By Derek Murphy
Murphy’s book is a lifehacker’s recipe to getting cover design right. With step-by-step instructions for researching genres and effective checklists for avoiding common mistakes, it offers fantastic insight into how a successful author “cheats” their way to cover success.

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Read Indie Annie's Latest Advice:

Dear Indie Annie,

In the past, I’ve hired editors, cover designers, and even a virtual assistant. Passing off those responsibilities makes sense, but internal formatting always seems so straightforward. At what point is it worth investing in professional formatting services? Frugal Formatter Dear Frugal, Oh my, that moniker sounds like you’re an inhabitant of Middle Earth, but I digress. Formatting your own manuscript seems as simple as building a bookcase from IKEA: just insert tab A into slot

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May 1, 2024 No Comments

Dear Indie Annie,

Despite my best marketing efforts, my backlist just isn’t selling. How do I decide whether to go back to the drawing board and refocus the series or cut my losses and unpublish it?  At a Crossroads Dear Crossroads,  I feel your frustration, love. When a backlist underperforms, it’s like owning a vintage auto that sputters more than it purrs. Do you tune it up or trade it in for a new model? Let’s hash out

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April 1, 2024 No Comments

Dear Indie Annie,

I’ve only ever written in one particular genre. I have an audience built there, a decent backlist, and a few ideas for future books. But I just recently got an idea for a story in an entirely different genre—one that I don’t even know I’ll continue past this book. Do I write the new idea or stick with what I know?  Pestered by a Plot Bunny Dearest Plot Bunny, The temptation of an off-brand manuscript

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March 1, 2024 No Comments

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