What’s the cover for? Is it to display a beautiful piece of art? Or show how clever a piece of design can allude to the plot of the novel? Is it supposed to stand out from all the other books on the shelf of the bookshop (or virtual bookshop)?

None of the above I suspect. Remember that most books are displayed as thumbnail pictures on a website, or one in a sea of others on a shelf. The cover needs, above all else, to communicate in a fraction of a second the content of the book. Its genre, and it’s style. Fast-paced thriller? Romance? Fantasy? Horror? If your customers don’t know what type of book it is from a split second look at the cover, they are most likely to move on.

Click below for some advice and sources of information and support in creating a cover that works.

Where to go for a cover? Does it matter? My sister is an artist, surely that will be good enough?

There are options from self-made (usually not good enough for what the indie author needs), low price generic designs which can be perfectly adequate, through to commissioned book covers from those experienced in the market. Prices will vary.

Click below for some links and sources of information on finding that perfect cover.