Quick Overview

Hi, I’m Rick Schroeppel, and I’ve been designing book covers for self-published authors for years. (http://www.bookcoverdesign.us/). If you’re new to the publishing game, there’s a good chance you’re about to fall into one of the classic cover design traps—and don’t worry, I’ve seen them all.

In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to book cover design for self-published authors. Whether you’re on your first book or your fifth, these tips could save you time, money, and reader disappointment.

Table of Contents

1. Skipping the Professional Touch
2. Trying to Say Too Much on One Cover
3. Choosing the Wrong Fonts (Yes, Fonts Matter!)
4. Ignoring Genre Expectations
5. Forgetting About Ownership Rights
6. Quick Comparison Table
7. Final Thoughts from Me
8. People Also Ask (FAQs)

Skipping the Professional Touch

Let’s start with the big one: trying to do the cover yourself.

I get it. Software like Canva and free photo editors can make you feel like a design genius. But most DIY covers don’t hold up next to professionally designed ones. According to Written Word Media, authors who earn over $5,000/month are twice as likely to hire professionals for their book covers. 68% of successful authors spent over $100 on their book cover, while only 39% of newer authors did the same.

So no shade if you’ve tried it before (we’ve all been there). But if you want your book to stand out on Amazon or on a bookstore shelf, hiring a pro is worth every penny.

Trying to Say Too Much on One Cover

Your book might have romance, mystery, time travel, and a talking llama—but your cover can’t show all of that at once.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is authors cramming too many ideas into one design. Your cover’s job isn’t to tell the whole story—it’s to hook the reader.

Think of it like a movie trailer: give people just enough to make them curious. Keep it clean, focused, and genre-specific.

Choosing the Wrong Fonts (Yes, Fonts Matter!)

Fonts aren’t just letters. They carry mood, tone, and vibes.

You’d be surprised how many thrillers I’ve seen with bubbly fonts better suited for a cupcake cookbook. Or romance novels in sharp, horror-style lettering. It’s like wearing flip-flops to a wedding—just doesn’t work.

Stick to fonts that match your genre and don’t distract from your title. And please—no Comic Sans. Ever.

Ignoring Genre Expectations

Readers use book covers to decide what kind of story they’re about to get. If your horror novel has a pastel beach scene on the cover, people will click away in confusion (or worse—leave angry reviews).

Here’s a quick cheat sheet of what readers expect:

Genre	Common Colors	Popular Cover Styles
Romance	Soft pinks, reds	Close-ups, warm lighting
Thriller	Dark blues, blacks	Bold text, shadows, suspenseful scenes
Sci-fi	Metallic tones	Futuristic images, clean fonts
Fantasy	Earth tones, gold	Illustrated worlds, symbols

Matching genre signals builds trust with readers—and trust leads to sales.

Forgetting About Ownership Rights

This one’s a bit of a legal landmine, so I’ll keep it simple.

If you hire someone on the cheap without a contract, you might not actually own the design. That’s a nightmare if you ever want to change printers, turn it into merch, or do a reprint.

That’s why we always provide book cover design with full ownership at Book Cover Design. You paid for it—you should own it. No weird fine print. No messy disputes later.

Quick Comparison Table

Here’s a look at common mistakes and how to fix them:

Mistake	Why It’s a Problem	What to Do Instead
DIY cover design	Looks unprofessional	Hire an experienced designer
Overloaded visuals	Confuses readers	Stick to one main concept
Poor font choice	Gives off wrong vibe	Use fonts that match your genre
Genre mismatch	Sends wrong signal	Research what’s trending in your genre
No rights to your cover	Limits future use	Make sure you get full ownership

Final Thoughts from Me

Designing a book cover isn’t about being flashy—it’s about being smart.

You want your book to look good, sure. But more than that, you want it to connect with readers right away. You want someone scrolling through Amazon at 11 PM to stop, click, and say, “Now that’s a book I need to read.”

If you’re looking for a quality cover design for self-published authors that’s affordable, smart, and stress-free—I’m your guy. Let’s make a cover that does your story justice.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

1.     Do self-published authors really need professional book covers?

Yes! A professional cover can boost sales, improve credibility, and attract more readers. It’s often the first impression your book makes.

2.     How much should I spend on a book cover as a self-published author?

Most quality designs range from $800-$2000, depending on custom work. At Book Cover Design, we offer affordable packages without cutting corners.

3.     Can I design my own book cover?

Technically, yes—but unless you have design experience, it’s easy to end up with a cover that turns readers away.

4.     What happens if I don’t own the rights to my book cover?

You could run into legal issues or be unable to republish, distribute, or use the cover elsewhere. Always choose book cover design with full ownership.

5.     How do I know if my cover matches my genre?

Look at the top-selling books in your genre. Your cover should look like it belongs beside them—not stick out like a sore thumb.

6.     Can I work with a designer even if I don’t live in the same city?

Absolutely. I work with authors all over the world. We communicate by email, Zoom, or even smoke signals (okay, maybe not that last one).