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Everywhere I go, I read that a bad book cover can really harm your book sales. I need to know, what’s a bad cover?

A bad book cover design is one that is poorly executed, inappropriate for the content, or in no way unique.  Basically your first reaction is one of distaste over intrigue. A poorly executed cover does not reflect great typography, great composition, a great image, or a great concept.  An inappropriate cover does not take into account the actual content of the story, the key emotion or essence of the story, the genre, the author’s brand or the competition. A cover that is not unique in any way causes consumers to yawn, be confused, or simply pass by quickly. However, let’s face it, design is subjective. Everybody has their own personal preferences and aesthetic. And most of us are not qualified to be effective design critics. The question is less about what we personally like and more about what design solution best reflects the content, the genre, the author’s brand, the format of the book, the sales channel, etc.  There are a lot of things to consider. This is why hiring the right designer is of utmost importance. Look for a designer that has a book portfolio you think is amazing–reflecting successful books in the marketplace. Find out who the most noted book cover designers are. Look at their work, see how they solve problems. Walk through a bookstore and take note of the covers you most like and the designers who worked on them (most covers will have this info on the back cover, back flap or CIP page).  Purchase a few books on prominent designers. Learn some basic design lingo.  Here are some great resources: Books: Chip Kidd: Book One, Work: 1986- 2006, Rizzoli, ISBN-13: 978-0847827855 By It’s Cover: Modern American Book Cover Design, Princeton Architectural Press, ISBN-13: 978-1568984971 Blogs: http://www.faceoutbooks.com/ http://bookcoverarchive.com/