Cover Design for New Authors
Your cover is your book’s first impression on your potential readers!
After your manuscript has been copyedited, even while you’re having the interior typeset, is a great time to start your cover design.
Hiring a Pro
Hiring a professional cover designer to create a custom cover for you is usually the best route to take, if you can afford it.
Professional cover design pricing varies based on quality, style, level of detail, and the experience of the pro. Anywhere from $100 (simple, text-only, amateur / hobbyist designer) up to several thousand dollars (high-definition, custom illustration by a seasoned professional).
Pre-Made Covers
A slightly more affordable (and faster) option is pre-made covers. They most often cost less than a thousand dollars, some as low as a hundred. These are covers that have already been set up by a professional designer. You pick one you like, pay for it, and then the artist will put your title and name on the file.
Since most of the work has already been done, you can save quite a bit of time and money this way.
The downsides of using pre-made covers include a lack of customization and a lack of exclusivity.
