It’s no secret that the media is image-obsessed and has a problem with whitewashing and gender stereotyping. From magazine covers doing Photoshop “touch-ups,” to fandoms having an issue with a character’s casting in a film, to debates about the term “chick flick” or just how overly pink “girl” toy shelves are. For the publishing world, book covers are a problem we have to fix.
Design
The Art of Giving Feedback When You Don’t Feel Like an Expert
By Katherine Flitsch
At face value, there seems to be a lot of technical knowledge involved with design work. That’s definitely true, but it’s a much more accessible body of knowledge than you might think, particularly when it comes to giving feedback during the cover design rounds.
Canva: The First-Time Designer’s Best Friend
By Riley Robert @RileyRober14
Although most agree that Adobe’s Creative Cloud is the pinnacle of professional design software, first-time designers with little software experience are likely to be overwhelmed by its plethora of features—and its cost. While most designers will eventually want to splurge on Adobe’s CC license to professionally share and sell their work, in the meantime there is a free online software called Canva that is the first-time designer’s best friend.
Design Trends In Contemporary Romance Novels
By Frances K. Fragela Rivera
It is important that designers capture the light-hearted, feel-good nature of a contemporary romance story through its cover design in order to gain the attention of readers.
How a Manuscript Becomes a Book
By Katherine Flitsch
I never thought very much about all the decisions involved with turning a book into a manuscript, beyond recognizing that at some point someone had to design the cover. Things such as font choices, trim sizes, paper weights, etc., were all decisions that I blindly consumed as a reader without realizing all of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into making them. Then I joined the Ooligan team, and suddenly I got to play a part in making all of these decisions! That’s when I began garnering an understanding—and appreciation—for the beautiful beast that is the book design process. Now that I’ve stepped into my role as the manager for Ooligan’s design department, I’m learning so much more about all that goes into designing a book.
What a Pretty Book! Book Cover Embellishments
By Alexandra Magel
Booksellers, who can see hundreds of books on a daily basis, are especially susceptible to pretty books and the urge to take them home. As a former bookseller, I can testify that prettiness does create more goodwill toward a book—and makes it more likely that a reader will stop and read the synopsis. The following list is a roundup of book cover embellishments that excite booksellers (and one that doesn’t).