How To Publish A Short Story Collection, The Lessons I'm Learning, Part 3

​    I’ve been working on a collection of science fiction stories for self publication. Now, I’ve finally come to the part I’ve been dreading--creating a cover. I would be the first to agree that the best option is to find a professional designer, give him or her your thoughts on what you’d like, and pay them a ton of cash. I’m sure the results would be breath taking. And would really drive sales.
    However, for those, like me, who don’t have money to burn, creating your own cover design may be the only  viable option. With this in mind and after doing some research, I’ve come up with seven ideas about book covers:

• Make the cover relevant to your subject. I know, this is obvious. But, how many times have you read a book with a great cover and upon completion of the manuscript realized it had nothing to do with the cover?
• The cover should  evoke a strong emotion. Try to avoid just conveying information. For example, a  thriller’s cover should convey feelings such as  mystery, suspense, intrigue,  and foreboding.
• Avoid crazy fonts. If your potential buyer can’t easily read the cover she’s likely going to pass on purchasing your book.
• Avoid cliched images. The shirtless hunk on he cover of a romance novel. A flying saucer gracing a science fiction tome. You get the idea. Be creative.
• Think long and hard about putting a face on the cover. It’s hard to find a model or stock portrait that looks like the protagonist you’ve described in your novel. But, having said this if you think you have a face that reflects your main character, by all means, use it.
• KISS. You know the old acronym—keep it simple, stupid. It applied to book covers. Cover art that’s too busy could be a turn off for a potential reader. It may say to them, “This book is going to be really complicated.” So, be careful.
• Consider your audience. This is really just a summary of the six previous ideas. You want that potential reader to see your cover and feel a sense of anticipation and excitement over what’s inside to the point that they’re willing to turn over their hard earned cash for you book.

    Well, there you have it. My take on book covers. I’m nearly finished with my design. I like it. Hopefully, potential readers will also. 

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