When it comes to book publishing there is a lot involved apart from writing. One step that is just as important is cover design. Normally authors hire a professional cover designer to handle it. But that begs the question, do authors have control over their covers? After investing so much time crafting your story, the cover should feel like your creative baby too, right? Let’s break down just how much sway you have at each publishing stage, and what you can do to make sure your cover reflects you.
Traditional Publishing: Limited, But with Input
If you’re going the traditional publishing route, here’s the honest truth: you don’t get full control over your book cover. That decision usually belongs to the publisher.
Now, that doesn’t mean you’re completely shut out. In most cases, they’ll ask for your thoughts or show you draft designs, but whether they use your feedback is up to them. It’s kind of like giving your opinion on a group project. Helpful, but not the final vote.
The publisher is the one investing in your book. They’re handling the printing, marketing, and sales, so they’ll want the cover to match what they know sells in the market. Their design team often bases the cover on research, trends, and what works best for your genre.
Of course, if you feel strongly about something, like the style not matching your story, you can speak up. Some publishers are open to collaborating, especially if you’re clear and respectful about what you want changed. But at the end of the day, they make the final call.
Self-Publishing: Full Control in Your Hands
Here’s where things get interesting. Self publishing is all about giving you the reigns to your entire project, that means from writing to the last step of publishing, you’re the one responsible. In these instances, when you wonder if authors have control over their cover, the answer is a yes. You get to decide how it looks, what goes on the front and back, what colours you want, and where your name goes, you’re in total creative control. There’s no publisher stepping in to override your ideas or choose a cover you’re not happy with. It’s your vision, your story, and your final say.
But, (and this is important), with full control comes full responsibility. If you’re designing the cover yourself, you’ll need to make sure you’re using the right formats, sizes, and layout specs. And if you’re uploading to platforms like Amazon KDP, there are very specific technical requirements you’ll have to follow to make sure your cover prints properly.
That’s why many self-published authors choose to work with a professional designer or cover design service. You still get complete creative freedom, but with expert guidance to make sure your cover looks polished and meets all the technical standards.
Hybrid & Partnership Deals: The Middle Ground
Then there’s hybrid publishing, where you pay for a package of services but the publisher may still make design decisions. It can feel like having your cake and eating it too, if the partnership is transparent. But if they’ve got the final design say, it’ll often lean publisher-first.
Format and Sizing: What You Must Know
No matter your publishing route, technical specs matter. If you’re preparing covers yourself, here’s the key info:
- E-book covers: typically need a 1.6:1 aspect ratio (e.g. 1,600×2,560 px)
- Paperback covers: must include front, back, spine, and bleed, plus spine text if over 79 pages, per KDP specs.
- Formats: JPEG or TIFF for eBooks; PDF for print; CMYK for print, RGB for digital.
We’ll dive into what format KDP uses for book covers and what size should a book cover design be as we get into the DIY things below.
The Back Cover: Content That Matters
Let’s talk about the back of your book. It might seem like a small detail, but it actually plays a big role, especially when someone’s deciding whether to buy your book. So, what should you do about this spot? First, you’ll want a short blurb that gives readers a taste of what your book is about.
Think of it as your book’s teaser, it should grab attention and make people curious to read more. Next, it’s a good idea to include a brief author bio, maybe with a photo, especially if you’re writing non-fiction or want to share a bit of your background. If you’ve got any positive reviews or endorsements, they can go there too, space permitting. You’ll also need a barcode for print copies (yep, that’s a must), and if you’re publishing under a company or imprint, you can add that logo as well.
What Makes a Book Cover Stand Out?
Often comes down to simple design principles, contrast, readability, and emotional resonance. A striking visual hook paired with clear, well-positioned typography (genre-appropriate fonts, bold title placement, balanced author name) creates impact. That’s why where you put the author’s name on the cover matters almost as much as the image itself.
How Authors Create Covers: DIY vs Hiring a Designer
Many authors ask, how do authors create book covers? You have three main options:
DIY covers:
If you’re designing your own book cover, Canva or Adobe templates are a good place to start. They’re easy to use and great for simple e-books or small print runs. The tools let you drag and drop your design elements with ease. But you’ll still need to manage the technical stuff, like size, bleed, fonts, and barcodes. It’s doable, but be ready to learn as you go.
Hiring a freelance designer:
Hiring a freelance designer is a great way to get a professional-looking book cover. You’ll give them a design brief with details like your genre, tone, and cover ideas. They’ll create and format the cover for print or digital use. You’ll still have control by reviewing drafts and giving feedback. It’s a smart way to combine your vision with expert design.
Professional Book Cover Design Services:
This means that everything’s taken care of for you. We handle the full process, from the first concept to the final files, so you don’t have to stress about the details. That includes making sure your cover meets all the KDP formatting rules and technical specs. You’ll get a polished, professional cover that’s ready to impress readers and retailers. It’s the easiest way to make your book look its best.
Royalties for Illustrators: What You Should Know
Ever wondered if book cover illustrators get royalties? Most work-for-hire contracts pay a flat rate, especially in traditional deals. Royalties are rare unless the illustrator is very high-profile or negotiated profit splits. In self-publishing, they typically invoice you directly. If you want royalties, be prepared to negotiate that upfront.
Final Takeaway
Yes, do authors have control over their covers? The answer depends on your publishing path. Traditional deals limit you to suggestions and feedback. Self-publishing offers total freedom, but also total responsibility.
Whatever your path, knowledge is the first step. And if you’d rather not go it alone, our design services are ready to help.