How to research book covers and brief a cover designer

Don't judge a book by its cover? Readers most certainly do! Surveys show that a book cover is crucial in readers' decision-making and whether or not they buy your book.

It's not about having a 'pretty' cover that you, the author, like. The cover is not really for you, it is for the reader. So how to get it right?

In this session we'll walk through the research you need to do to make sure you understand what the best cover for your book should look like. Armed with this information, it's time to find a good cover designer and brief them in a professional way, so that they can create the cover your book deserves. You need to know how to steer that process and emerge with a cover that will be the bedrock of all your marketing efforts. We'll look at budget and more expensive options and you'll be able to repeat the process for every new book you write.

You will leave inspired and with a clear set of steps, contacts and resources to take to getting the best cover for your book.

The session lasts 1 hr with up to half an hour for questions at the end. The session is recorded, so you will receive the video afterwards to work though at your leisure, allowing you to book even if you can’t make the live session.

Feedback from previous workshops run by Melissa Addey at the British Library:

• The session was easy to follow, with advice based on personal experience and research. It was helpful.

• The course was well presented and Melissa was great and I found the course extremely helpful and informative. I would definitely recommend.

• Really well organised course with fantastic resources. Melissa is brilliant and tells you how it is with great humour.

Part of a series, each one focusing on a specific area of book marketing.

We do not give refunds but if you cannot make the live date you will still receive the video playback of the session.

Host or Publisher Melissa Addey