Book Cover for Self-Published Books

The book cover isn´t the only thing that will sell your book. The reader might look at reviews, at the blurb, and have a sneak peek at the contents. In order to get to that point, however, she needs to first pick the book up, or click on a link for it, or be enticed enough to read about it.Some may argue that the e-book doesn´t have the same use for a cover as a printed book. This is not true. The cover is what represents your book throughout your marketing endeavors; it will be there when you tweet about your book or post it on social networks, it will show on reviewing sites and blogs where you promote it.An amateurish book cover might not spell the end of your self-publishing career, but it can cause a potential buyer to pass your book in the virtual bookshelves. If you have a book cover that grabs attention, that raises eyebrows, you will gain buyers instead. A good cover can stay in a potential reader´s mind and even cause him or her to come back to buy your book.The first step to design a good book cover is to have a look at your favorite books. Think about what caused those book covers to grab your attention. You do not want to copy them, of course, but they may serve as inspiration. Keep your eyes open at covers within your genre, and if you see one that is especially attention-grabbing, remember it.Take a step back from your book and try to strip it down to its bare bones. What is it about? A good cover communicates the meaning of the book, together with its tone and style, with just one picture. If you have decided to hire someone to do the cover for you, make sure they know enough about your book to be able to capture this in the design.Title and author name fonts should reflect the genre and tone of your book, as well. Unconventional fonts can be used to your advantage, as long as it serves a purpose and does not cross the line. If it does, it will give your whole cover an amateur look. Keep it simple and readable - how is the reader going to remember and notice the title if she can´t even make it out?Do not include blurbs unless they are from someone whose opinion really matters. What your friends say about your book has no place on the cover and will only make it look cluttered. If the book is part of a series, however, the cover should say so.Experiment with the colors but choose those that fit together. Graphics should be kept simple and neat. Any good cover designer will know that less is more. This goes especially for e-books, where the first a potential reader will see is a small thumbnail of a picture where any cluttering details will work against their purpose.Try to convey the essence of the book in as simple a way as possible, and your cover will have a good chance of standing out in the ever-expanding crowd of online bookstores.

Make Money Writing Children's Books

If you possess a flair for writing, you can make easy money by penning children's books. Every family with children is constantly on the lookout for new books to use in teaching their children. Do not rush to the conclusion that books meant for children must be filled with stories. Any topic that generates interest in the mind of a child can be the focus of your book. This can range from religion to science to any field that you feel most comfortable or passionate writing about.Plan and study various aspects of your book carefully in order to keep in tune with the mindset of a child. The cover design must be attractive, along with the fonts used in the book. Larger, bolder fonts are known to be more attractive to children. The layout of the book plays an integral role in capturing the attention of your young readers. If you need help getting ideas, plenty of templates can be found online. Or, you can visit the nearest bookstore and skim through some of the children's books they have in stock. It is not a good idea to copy the layout, however; when in doubt, it's best to consult professional graphic designers and illustrators. You also have to consider the fact that there are some parents who don't have enough time to go through the entire bookstore just to buy a single book for their kids. They would just pick up a book that has a great cover and inviting illustrations. You must really pay attention to details.Parents are the ones buying the books for their kids, especially if the child is an infant or a toddler. When you are writing a children's book, you have to think as a child and a parent at the same time. Ask yourself this question: Would a mother buy this book for her 8-month-old baby (or whatever age group you are writing for)? If your answer is yes, continue with what you are doing. If your answer is no, you'd better think of a different plot or layout that would be attractive to a parent.Interactive books like Touch and Feel and Pop-up books are very sale able to kids. These books are a little pricey to publish, but the profit is better compared to a regular children's book since you can sell them at a higher price. Touch and Feel books appeal to infants and toddlers. They are still not able to read but their interest is stimulated by the drawings and the 'touch' activities in the book. Parents would also prefer reading these kinds of books to their infants and toddlers. Pop-up books, on the other hand, are adored by children who can read, although these can still capture the attention of infants and toddlers.The content that is presented within your book must capture the attention of parents and children alike. Put yourself in the shoes of a child and let your imagination run wild. The silliest of ideas have proven to be a hit with children. Children are not interested in current affairs - so refrain from attempting those story lines. If the writing is done with great passion and enthusiasm, money will naturally follow.