How to Self-Publish: Designing a Book Cover That Actually Sells

When it comes to self-publishing, your book cover is what people judge first, no matter how often we warn against it. It’s the first impression readers get, the face of your story, and often the reason someone clicks either “buy” or keeps scrolling past. 

A professionally-designed book cover doesn’t just look pretty: it communicates your genre, tone, and the quality of your writing in one clean, powerful image. Here’s how to make sure your cover actually sells your book.

Why a professional cover matters

No matter how amazing your writing is, if your cover looks amateur, readers will assume the story inside is too. 

On the other hand, a well-designed cover builds trust, signals professionalism, and helps your book stand out in a crowded market.

Think of your cover like a billboard for your book. You want it to:

• Attract the right readers by targeting your genre with the right colors, fonts, and imagery.

• Communicate the tone and style of your story. Is it mysterious? Romantic? Bold and adventurous? Let the picture tell us your thousand words.

• Look polished and credible—not like something you slapped together in five minutes.

DIY cover design tools: Canva and BookBrush

If you’re on a tight budget or just love having full creative control, DIY tools can be a great place to start.

Canva is one of the most popular options. It offers tons of easy-to-use templates, drag-and-drop features, and access to free or affordable fonts and stock images. You don’t have to be a designer to create something visually appealing with Canva, and you can customize your cover to your heart’s content.

Book Brush is another fantastic tool made especially for authors. It’s built to help you create professional-looking book covers and marketing images quickly. Its features include 3D mockups, customizable templates tailored for different book genres, and direct publishing integrations.

While these tools are excellent for authors starting out, keep in mind that DIY covers can sometimes look generic if you don’t have design experience. Plus, they may not perfectly capture the nuance of your story or genre conventions, which is where hiring a pro really shines.

When to Hire a Cover Designer

If you want your book to look like it belongs on bookstore shelves next to traditionally published titles, investing in a professional cover designer is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Here’s why:

• Expertise: Designers know the market and genre trends, which fonts, colors, and layouts work best to attract your ideal reader.

• Customization: A designer will craft a unique cover tailored specifically to your book’s themes and voice instead of sticking to cookie-cutter templates.

• Quality: The pros have access to professional design software, licensed images, and can create original artwork or typography.

• Stress-free: With someone else worrying about the cover, you can focus on writing and marketing.

When looking for a designer, be sure to:

• Review their portfolio for style and quality

• Ask about revisions and turnaround times

• Get clear on pricing and what’s included (spine, back cover, formatting for different eBook retailers)

• Check for experience with your genre

Where to Find a Cover Designer

Finding the right designer can feel overwhelming, but here are some trusted places to start:

• Reedsy: A curated marketplace of vetted, experienced book designers who specialize in different genres.

• 99designs: Run a design contest or hire a designer directly, great if you want multiple concepts to choose from.

• Fiverr: Affordable options with lots of freelance designers, but be sure to check portfolios carefully.

• Social Media and Writing Communities: Check Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook author groups for recommendations and direct designer portfolios.

• Author Recommendations: Reach out to other indie authors whose covers you love and ask who designed theirs.

Remember: your book cover is more than just a pretty picture. It’s your first and best chance to capture a reader’s attention and convince them your story is worth their time. 

Whether you DIY with tools like Canva or BookBrush or invest in a professional designer, make sure your cover reflects the heart of your book and stands out in a crowded market.

A great cover sells books, so don’t rush it! Take the time to design thoughtfully, get feedback, and make sure your cover truly represents the story you’re so proud to share.

For more tips on DIY publishing and writing, reach out to me at taylorfengle@gmail.com.