It is recommended that authors enlist a professional designer to create their book covers. But authors need to know the basic design principles and elements of a great book cover. After all, the designer will present you with a few options, and you will have to choose the best one for your book.

So, what information should authors give to designers to ensure they receive a book cover that sells?

- Your brand

It is essential to start with you and your brand. Are you still developing your brand, or is it already established? Did you create a specific trend with previous covers, or do you want each cover to be unique?

- Genre 

Consider the genre of your book and look at the styles and trends book covers follow in that genre. It is vital since these styles have been used for decades and create a specific association for readers. The challenge is incorporating these styles and finding a creative way to design a refreshing and stand-out cover.

- Book format

 Since readers will first see a digital book cover as a thumbnail, the text must be more significant and in an eye-catching font to stand out from the hundreds of other images. 

- Copy and graphics

Authors should specify the copy they need on the cover, such as the title and author name. Authors also sometimes add extra copy, like a short sentence to entice readers to buy the book or a short extract from a professional review—for example, a review from Kirkus or Readers' Favorite.

The author should also indicate whether there are any logos (their own or from the publishing company) that should appear on the cover and any awards the book has won. Well-established authors of non-fiction books sometimes add a photo of themselves on the cover. In this case, you need to ensure that you provide the designer with a high-quality image. 

The graphic style you choose sends a specific message to your readers. If your novel takes place in a particular city, you can use an image depicting that city; for example, a famous landmark. Romance novels often use couples' photos, while vintage photographs indicate a historical novel. Book covers for women's fiction again use soft typefaces and natural settings. 

- Book summary

It is vital to give your designer an idea of the content of your book. It is even more imperative in the case of a fiction book. Providing them with a summary of your novel (but more extensive than the blurb) can help them get a feel for your story, characters, plot, and milieu. It will help them to select or create the best image to use for your cover. 

- Marketability

The book cover forms a crucial part of your marketing campaign. Consider what you want to highlight on the cover - a unique element in your story, your style of writing, the setting, or a specific topic it covers?

If the book is part of a series, it must be able to stand alone, to stand out from competitors, but also consider creating standard features that will repeat for all the covers in the series. 

- Your budget

Designing a book cover isn't a simple process, and the costs can quickly add up. Discuss your budget with your designer, and make sure they inform you about all possible cost factors, like the costs of font licenses and stock images. 

Writers and designers are both creative, each in their own way. Use the guidelines above to provide your designer with all the essential information and add your creative ideas to ensure you receive a book cover design that sells!

Sources:

- How to design a book cover: the ultimate guide

https://99designs.com/blog/book-design/book-cover-design/