So you’ve finished the inside of your book and it’s time to start work on the outside. But how do you approach a cover artist? What’s the normal procedure? And how do you make sure your cover is unique, interesting, and legal? We spoke with author//graphic designer Peter Ingham about the cover design process from a graphic artist’s perspective.
Hey Peter, thanks for taking the time to talk to us about ebook cover design. Let’s get right into it:
What are the key pieces of information an author should include when soliciting cover design services?
These are the main elements I look for:
- Timeframe on the work (“I need this by next week.”)
- The intended format (hardback vs ebook, as well as the target website like Amazon or Smashwords)
- A general idea of what the client would like the cover to look like
- Any images the author already has (stock images, personal photos, royalty-free images)
- Any influences they have
- Any thematic elements and a brief synopsis of the work
