A book sitting next to a vase of flowers.

Front Cover Checklist

  1. Title
  2. Subtitle (Optional)
  3. Author Name
  4. Subject Matter
  5. Audience
  6. Trim Size: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" or 6" x 9" or other trim size
  7. Printer/Publisher/Distributor: KDP is recommended as a free service.

www.kdp.amazon.com (Likely the most popular and effective source for independent authors.)

Back Cover Checklist (No rush - We can do this after front cover approval)

  1. Summary/Sales Copy
  2. Author Bio (Optional)
  3. Author Photo (Optional)
  4. Endorsements (Optional)
  5. Final Formatted Page Count
  6. Pages: White or Cream Paper? (Cream paper is slightly thicker and will affect the spine width.)
  7. ISBN number and barcode (KDP will do this for you for free.)
A book cover with train on tracks in the snow. Historical fiction cover by top book cover designers near me - Escape from the Czar

How It Works

A green and brown background with no image.

Discussion

A green and brown background with the number 2.

Cover Sketches:

1-3 or More

A green and brown camouflage pattern is shown.

Approval and/or

Further Discussion

A green and brown four with an arrow.

High-Resolution

Front Cover

A green and brown pixel art background

Back Cover

Text and Design

A green and brown pixel art style number six.

Production Consultation

A green and brown background with a number 7.

Congratulations

A book sitting on top of an open book.

Turn-Around Time

Turn-around time for the front cover can average around two weeks, sometimes much sooner. Sometimes, it is longer if there is no deadline or if there are complicated changes.

Spine Width (No Rush—We Can Do This After Cover Approval)

For us to determine the spine width for your paperback, we must know the final page count. But to know the final page count, your book will have to be formatted. The formatting can be done for free by you within your KDP account, which is also free, and they will assist you. Or I can recommend Phil Gessert: http://www.gessertbooks.com

A book sitting on top of a wooden table.

4 Things I Need to Know

As the designer of your paperback, I need to know:

  1. Trim Size: 6"x 9"? 5.5"x 8.5"? Other?
  2. Final formatted page count? (No rush; this can come after cover design.)
  3. Paper color: Cream or white? Cream paper is slightly thicker and affects the spine width. Usually, they say cream for fiction and white for non-fiction, but it's entirely up to you.
  4. Printer/Publisher?

Christian Pictures Website

This new site shown at the right is not strictly for book cover design, but its related visual ideas could help spark your imagination for marketing, promotion, advertising, screen savers, prints, etc. Or browse the site just for fun! www.ChristianPictures.net

A person holding flowers in front of an open book.

Interior Design Formatting

This refers to the interior design of your paperback. As I recall, www.kdp.com offers free paperback interior design formatting. As an alternative, I can recommend Phil Gessert: http://www.gessertbooks.com

(As I recall, Kindle and E-book formatting are also offered for free at www.kdp.amazon.com)

Recognitions and Advantages

Awards

  • Dickinson Press Award
  • ECPA Award
  • ETWG Award
  • UMPH Award for Achievement
  • UMPH Award for Performance

Benefits

  • High Quality
  • Fast Service
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed
  • Made in the USA
  • Major Credit Cards Honored

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