When it comes to getting your book into the hands of readers, your cover is your first and most important opportunity to make an impression. Think of it as the hook — if your book gets picked up off the shelf, you’ve already won half the battle. But here’s the catch: most readers don’t know you. They don’t see the countless hours you’ve spent making decisions about everything, from plot to design. That’s why the cover has to wow them. You need that visual impact to make them say, “Yes, I want to read this!”
My book cover has gone through three iterations now, and I can honestly say that by the third version, I was getting close to hitting it out of the park. At least that’s how it worked for my last book, and the process has been just as eye-opening with Little Red and Vandal Wolf. I was almost ready to push the go button with my distributor when my galley copy arrived in the mail. Uh-oh! What I saw wasn’t what I had expected — the colors didn’t print as they appeared on my computer. And the rubble? What was I thinking?
It’s funny because when you're in the thick of the design process, it can all become overwhelming. You’re making so many decisions, big and small, and it’s easy to lose track of what’s most important. But I’ll tell you one thing: the cover is where you want to invest the most time and energy. You can change your book's interior over and over, but the cover is the first thing that will draw people in.
After receiving my book copy, I quickly realized that the dark rubble I’d originally chosen wasn’t giving the cover the “wow” factor I was hoping for. So, I made the decision to replace it with bright green grass and a white sidewalk. Instantly, my characters popped, and the title finally had a clean, bright background to shine on. That small change made all the difference.
The process can be tiring, especially when you’re reworking illustrations or adjusting design elements. But trust me, the final product — the one that will make your readers stop and take notice — will be worth it. Once those tweaks are made, you’ll be thrilled with the result.
So, where am I now? I’ve made a few more adjustments — shifting my name back to its original placement, moving characters into their proper positions — and I’m feeling confident that this cover will have the wow factor I’ve been working for. It’s all about those small, thoughtful changes.
Working independently as an author, I've learned so much about the process of creating a book, from writing to design, to marketing. If you're also navigating this journey as a new author, be sure to check out my Creative-Aholic blog on IzzyChurch.com, where I’ll be sharing more tips, roadmaps, and advice on the creative process.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you think of the cover! If you feel wowed, drop me a line — your feedback means the world to me.
And as a special treat, I’m offering a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) sale for Little Red and Vandal Wolf this December and January. When you buy a hard or soft cover, you’ll get a free e-book to share with a friend. It’s the perfect way to share the magic of street art and storytelling with someone special!
Stay tuned for more updates, and thanks for supporting this creative journey.
Tips for Authors:
Don’t rush your cover design. It’s worth spending the extra time to get it right.
Don’t be afraid to make changes even after you think you’re finished. Sometimes the best ideas come late in the game.
Remember, the cover is your book’s first impression — make it count.