Tag Archives: how to design a book cover

10 Publishing Tips that Assist – it’s the little things…

Here you are, thinking…what, how am I going to finish, design, publish and promote my book?
Some of you who are more familiar with my posts know I end with the statement of “Remember, do something every day toward…..” There is such power in this statement, please remember it.

Here are 10 things/actions/thoughts for you to consider:

  1. One of the things I found most daunting about writing a book was all the rewrites….UNTIL I realized how great the book turned out because of them.
  2. Research. One can never gather enough information. Whether it’s about your subject or how to self publish or promote. Spend time every day on the net reading
  3. Talk with like minded people. Open up to them and share your passions your book.
  4. Go read the first part of another book. Or the table of contents. Maybe the book is only about business, or even cooking…
  5. Go for a 15 min walk. Look at what’s around you… absorb
  6. Type in your website URL, look at your site and see how YOU react… is it what you thought? If not, change one thing and see how that works.
  7. Take out your camera/video/smart phone make a 30sec spot or shoot yourself doing something and write about it
  8. Go to or open a Google Account and set up google alerts
  9. Go to a book reading or signing…
  10. Talk to someone you don’t know and share these publishing tips

It’s nice to know that you can do things that help further your book or service. Even a laugh on the phone while talking to someone can open a door and move you to a new space. People like to be acknowledged as do you. Don’t miss a beat.

Remember, do something every day towards the production and promotion of your book, service, product or company… then contact me and let move it further forward.

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How to Create a Web Presence – Quick and Cheap! For Online and Offline Businesses

Are you an author, life coach, therapist, or small company looking to have a website and offer your services and products?

If your answer is yes… my information will be of value to you!

Offline business has its network meetings, trade shows, advertising, direct mail programs, catalogs, telemarketing, workshops and more…

Online business has its social networking Continue reading →

Will Illustrations Done in Pencil Reproduce Well for Printing?

You need to be very careful when you scan pencil. That being said, it’s used a lot. If your image is an outline, the line needs to be as solid as possible and in a 2B or softer pencil.

If your illustration is a full out image shaded etc, when it’s scanned you need to be sure that you don’t loose any of the mid-tones or make the darker areas more solid than you wanted. Pencil has a ‘shine’ quality when scanned that you might have trouble with.

Your illustrator should know how to draw to get the best results from today’s technology, be sure you let them know how their final product will be used. They might also offer the service of scanning them for you. Or you might find a professional imaging house to scan for you.

Each medium has a unique production process for them. It’s a good idea to have an open conversation with the illustrator and printer before work is done to get the best results for your final product. If you have any other questions about your book, please feel free to contact me.

That’s it. Keep doing something everyday towards your book …
Take a look at my website and contact me if you have any questions.

Karrie Ross
Your Book Designer
https://www.bookcoverdesigner.com

BEA – Book Expo America 2008 in Los Angeles

Just spent the day at the Book Expo America show (BEA). It’s big, covers two halls at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I’m glad I went. I ran into lots of interesting people and learned a lot about using this type of show to promote books.

I spoke with several publishers and distributors about a book I’ve written, learned that many distributors also publish. The ones I spoke to, do expect the author to do their own public relations in the way of getting noticed etc. They also don’t ask for a total exclusive agreement either.

This show happens each year, next year 2009 it will be in New York. I know I’ll be there the whole three days…will you?

Remember, keep doing something everyday for your book and promotion.
https://www.bookcoverdesigner.com

Book Cover Design: BEA and How to Use it to Help you Research Interest for Your Book

I attended BEA with two intentions. First from the view of a Book Cover & Interior Designer and the second from the view of a new Author.

I noticed myself falling back into the comfort of the first since this is known to me and the way I make a living. I found many interesting services for authors from printers to doll makers for children’s books. I also came away with good information regarding what publishers are looking for to better inform my book design clients who use my services.

I attended on the last day of the show in the hopes of being a more welcomed conversation to the booth vendors, which turned out to be a good decision and I got some free books at the end!

And the second view as author being new and Continue reading →

The How To Of Knowing Your Audience For Your Book Cover Design

When designing your book cover the first part of the puzzle is to know your audience. This is the first in a series of three articles based on creating an artful cover, motivating title, and return value-added information to increase the promotion for your books’ sales.

Learning who the books’ audience is and what’s their focus is the first part of the information we put into the recipe of designing the cover. I look at each book cover as a puzzle and it’s up to me, through questioning, to determine the correct fit for the pieces. Once you know the who, what, and where of your audience, you are able to write a title and subtitle that will fit their focus.

1. Who is your audience? This will be determined by the subject of your book. What you are looking for is, age, location, affiliations if any. Is there anything that is unique about them as a group?

2. Do you know what your audience likes? It helps if you have something in common with them, after all, you did write the book. Get into their shoes, what are the benefits to them from buying your book?

3. Where does their attention go? What are they looking to gain? What is
their pain or joy? What are their motivators? Are their related subjects that can be created from the book? Can you create “come-back power” in extended material?

Once you have this information the process of brainstorming will be your best move. Begin with writing your answers to each of the questions. Looking on line, in niche magazines etc are all good places to begin your research.

Your BookCoverDesigner.com

How Do I Find A Great Title For My Book?

Finding a great title for your book can be one of the most challenging yet satisfying processes you will go through. The title is the purpose of your book and very important that it presents your book’s subject in the best way possible. It needs to grab your audiences attention, make them question and think and act by picking up the book and start reading and eventually purchase.

I begin asking questions of the author, making them go deep into their subconscious to dig up the answers to their who, what, where, when, why, how questions.

I ask them to begin a list of what best describes their way of looking at their book and its subject. Then I request that they talk and talk, while I listen and together we pick out the gems to begin the title development.

Sometimes the author creates a list of test titles they like and have friends comment. I’m not a fan of this being used as the only way to get a title created, but it is a good way for some authors to begin.

I read the preface, introduction and whatever parts of the book I need to, to get my mind working on questions and watch for them to develop from the reading. It’s amazing how when we read we ask ourselves questions that we’re not even aware we are asking.

Contact me to learn more about my book design, interior formatting, web presences AND consulting services.
https://www.bookcoverdesigner.com

Book Design: The 2008 Olympics and What It Has in Common with Writing…

It seems like the Olympic trials 2008 was just yesterday, yet it was weeks away. It comes every 4 years and we all gather around watching top athletes do their thing… their passion and excellence showing in every breath they take.

They’ve worked hard for this, studied, researched and practiced over and over the skills necessary to succeed…and place for their category. Most likely this has been a lifetime goal, to be a participant in the Olympics, to belong to that special group.

As an author you too have your own special Olympics. The book you are writing takes special preparation. Over time your book becomes a bigger part of you and your life. You find that you think about your subject and the next piece of information you will share. You are following your passion.

Keep it up. Create the passion that makes you a gold metal winner too!

Enjoy the journey!

Book Design: 7 Questions to Ask For What to Do About the Sales and Promoting of Your Book…

What is it about the prospect of having to sell and promote our new book design that makes us think we don’t know anything? We wake up to the process of sales every day. It begins with us asking what we’re going to wear and progresses into who we talk to at work. The process of creating rapport, stating benefits and follow though with each action we take… which is really all aobut the sales or promotion of us! Think about it?

So, lets take a few minutes to see what that might mean to our book?

1. Is the topic interesting?

2. Have we shared benefits throughout the text?

3. Have we taken the time to really show we care about how the book is perceived by having the cover and interior professionally designed?

4. Does the back cover pull the reader in?

5. Are we blogging?

6. Have we checked with local book stores?

7. Have we gathered relevant magazines?

These are just a few of the techniques needed to develop for the sales and marketing of our book… after all, it is our business card. Right?

And when you start thinking about all the ways you already unconsciously sell yourself… how hard can it be to do the same for your book? Thinking your book branding, marketing and promotion early on, getting a head start can make all the difference in the world to how you and your book move forward.

Which is correct….Forward or Foreword?

I see this all the time…and which is correct?

Let’s refer to the dictionary.

Forward: ahead of time; early; moving toward a point in front; progressive

Foreword: an introductory remarks, preface or prefatory note

SO
The answer IS……….FOREWORD!

don’t forget it and be sure your book uses the correct spelling.

Book Cover Design: How Long Does it Take…time?

Time encompasses all parts of our lives. Process depends on time. Time determines what our experience will be.
I get asked a lot about time. Especially the time it will take to design the book cover.

As you begin the journey of self publishing you enter a new world, one that is exciting and confusing at the same time. You are learning all the new words and meanings…then… it’s time for the book cover design and there is more information this time specific to design, technology and process specifics.

You learn that there is a process of design. Of concept. Of experience. Each book has a life. This life is created within the writing of its pages and the mind of the author. The author relates their vision to the designer. Depending on how specific this vision is will determine the time it will take for your cover to become real. Some covers will take 7 days, others 3 weeks.

Together we’ll talk about the final result the author wants, who they want to see it and ead it. How it will impact their business…

This time designing a book cover can be a time of excitement. A time of learning about the new terms and technology. A time when any anxiety you might have going on will disappear by the time the process is complete, and it will become an experience you’ll be happy to experience again.

Book Titles – Where do they come from?

I get asked a lot about book titles, the “How do I develop one and know if it’s a good one?” question.

I’ve found when I’m asked to help with the title, I go through a series of questions with the author, digging deep into the why, how, what motivated them to write the book in the first place… then we dialogue and I usually am the ‘devils advocate’ coming up with as many arguments, ahem, questions, as possible so we flush out what the underlying concept is. the process I use can be different for each client that asks for this service. We all have a different way or system that we think and I elicit from the author theirs.

Whew…!

For sure one way is to write down a bunch and have people vote, another way is to go through the manuscript looking for ‘themes’ and writing them down, also any re-occurring words and then haul out the Thesaurus and create a whole other list.

Then, start creating phrases of 3-5 words, short preferable. Look at them over and over and keep reworking them until you get what you want. Hopefully, from a designers point of view, there will be some ‘meat’ in the title to assist with the sell. I’ve know a book to be written with one title and end up with a totally different one when it’s done. .. kind-a like a movie script!

And, of course, keeping in mind who the audience is for you book. What are their interests, mind-set, demographic, etc that are another part of the equation.

Your BookCoverDesigner.com

Book Cover Design Ideas for Authors About Writing Books!

I get many calls from authors…all writing their ideas, their passion, their life, their experiences. And what the book cover design idea could be for their book.

This is one of the most powerful parts of being an author and writing. The act of sharing your stories with the rest of us. The ability to decide on what your book cover design idea will be that best gets your ideas about your target subject out to the rest of the world.

If you find you are having writers block you might try talking into a recorder and then having it transcribed. Take a look at other books in your category and consider what makes your content different, what are the talking points and how would you “image” that?

This is one way many authors I know get through the tough parts. You’ll still need to edit it but at least you’ll have something to start with.

Book Cover Design: ISBN and Barcodes-What & When to Use…

As a self publisher there are many things you’ll need to set up to be a publisher.

The first is a thirteen digit number known as the International Standard Book Number (ISBN). The ISBN represents the worldwide identification system that was started in the 1960s and pubilcations are tagged with this number identifying the connection between publisher, title, author and edition. ISBNs can be purchased as one or in blocks of numbers, 10, 100 etc. There is a special font that is created to make the 13 digit number into what is called a barcode. This barcode is then placed on the bottom right of the back cover design. The barcode is scanable for inventory purposes. If you make your book into an paperback, hardcover, ebook,, and audio book, you’ll need to assign a new ISBN number for each separate ‘edition’. Check with the ISBN organization for all publication information.

The type of barcode assigned to printed book is called EAN. I suggest waiting to purchase your barcode until it is assigned to a specific project when you know what the price will be, eliminating the possibility of having to label your books if the price is missing.

Resource links for any of the services above and many more for the self publishing industry, can be found at https://www.bookcoverdesigner.com/author-resources.html

Book Cover Design: Twitter… interesting for the person on the go…

Whoever “created” twitter certainly had their finger on the pulse of the world marketers and business people.

Only allowing 140 character posts at a time really gets you to consolidate your message. I’m finding it a lot of fun… and it’s a good way for you to get the word out for your own book, product, service or company. It does take time but there are programs that will assist you in it’s management and if you connect it to your blog and facebook accounts you can have it auto-tweet when you make a post.

There are many people out the who are specializing in how to us twitter… do a search and start your account today.

I invite you to join my tweeting at http://www.twitter.com/bookcoverdesign and click around and get your own thing going