What a Book Cover Accomplishes

by Michael Karpovage
(Atlanta, GA, USA)

Karpovage Creative

Will your book cover sell itself? Will it capture immediate attention? Will it create an emotion or set a tone? These are some of the questions you should consider in trying to differentiate your book cover design from the crowd.

I used those same questions in conceptualizing the look and feel of the cover example shown here. It is the one I created for my own, soon-to-be-published novel, Crown of Serpents. It is a mystery suspense thriller based on ancient Indian legends. The title is consistent with the large main imagery of the head/bust, the font choice complimentary, the color schemes set an emotional tone, and even the rock wall gives part of the setting.

There is much that entices the viewer to hopefully pick the book up off a shelf among competitors. And getting your book in someone's hands, or on their radar, is what it's all about to potentially close the sale.

As an art director/designer for 20 years in the advertising and marketing fields, I know what goes into selling a visual brand. And book cover designs are no different. It's all about first impressions and the reaction you want your customers to receive.

What are the unique qualities and selling points in your novel that you want translated on your cover? What is the essence of your story? I would be more than happy to help you answer these questions and create a book cover design you and your readers will love.

Visit my site to find out more about myself, my design work, my map illustrations, and my novels.

Michael Karpovage - Cover Design, Map Illustrations, Novelist.

Visit Crown of Serpents to see the book.