Cover Make-over: DIY or Not?

January 15, 2022 by Rebecca Forster in category The Write Life by Rebecca Forster, Writing tagged as author, business of writing, cover design, Rebecca Forster, writing with 0 and 0

Home > Columns > The Write Life by Rebecca Forster > Cover Make-over: DIY or Not?

Like so many people, I told myself ‘when Covid ends I’ll finish (fill in your WIP)’. As Covid dragged on, I became sluggish and uninspired when it came to writing, so I decided to give my most popular series, The Josie Bates Thrillers, a cover make-over.

I was going to have my wonderful graphic designer tackle the project, but found myself indecisive regarding the direction I wanted take. Without constructive input, her job would be impossible, so I decided to do a few rough drafts to clarify my thinking. Instead, I became obsessed with the process of redefining my work. This is what I learned when I went all in on DIY cover design.

The weight, size and style of cover fonts are the difference between amateur and professional looking covers.
Title and author name should not be equal in emphasis.
Images must tell one story only. Mine was a choice between individual story, place, or something generic that was evocative of the genre and covered the series.
How to calculate dimensions and execute a paper cover that is not an Amazon template

The process left me in awe of graphic artists who do this for a living. I can’t imagine working with ten indecisive MEs much less a hundred. Would I do my own covers again? I’m not sure. It was fun, but I should probably leave it to the pros. And that leads me to the biggest lesson of all. When I work with a designer I will be better prepared before I approach her, more respectful of her time, and listen when she tells me her reasoning behind specific design choices. There is a reason for every element on a cover. If I don’t understand how those elements enhance my written work, then the cover isn’t right and it’s back to the drawing board.

I’M CELEBRATING the Josie Bates their make-over on Facebook with book GIVEAWAYS and some very cool PRIZES. Join the fun on my Facebook page

If you want to see the Josie covers in all their made-over glory (and all my other books), visit my new website: www.rebeccaforster.com

Don’t forget to download Hostile Witness for FREE. It now comes with a bonus novella, Hannah’s Diary.

Author Bio

Rebecca Forster

Author Bio

She marketed a world-class spa when it was still called a gym, did business in China before there were western toilettes at the Great Wall and mucked around with the sheep to find out exactly how her client’s fine wool clothing was manufactured. Then Rebecca wrote her first book and found her passion. Now, over twenty-five books later, she is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author and writes full-time, penning thrillers that explore the emotional impact of the justice system. She earned her B.A. at Loyola, Chicago and her MBA at Loyola, Los Angeles. Rebecca has taught the Business of Creativity at University of California Long Beach Writers Certificate Program, UCLA and UC Irvine extension. Married to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, she is the mother of two grown sons and spends her free time traveling, sewing, and playing tennis.

http://www.rebeccaforster.com

Rebecca Forster

Rebecca Forster June Featured Author

June 29, 2022

Rebecca Forster is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author and writes full-time, penning thrillers that explore the emotional impact of the justice system.
Rebecca Forster June Featured Author

June 21, 2022

Rebecca Forster is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author and writes full-time, penning thrillers that explore the emotional impact of the justice system.
A ‘Wrich” Experience

June 15, 2022

Like so many people, I told myself ‘when Covid ends I’ll finish (fill in your WIP)’. As Covid dragged on, I became sluggish and uninspired when it came to writing, so I decided to give my most popular series, The Josie Bates Thrillers, a cover make-over. I was going to have my wonderful graphic designer […]
Rebecca Forster June Featured Author

June 14, 2022

Rebecca Forster is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author and writes full-time, penning thrillers that explore the emotional impact of the justice system.
Rebecca Forster June Featured Author

June 7, 2022

Rebecca Forster is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author and writes full-time, penning thrillers that explore the emotional impact of the justice system.