- Later on, if you become famous, you can revise the covers of your earlier books.
- Even if you are famous, your photo does not have to be on your book covers.
- Some powerful covers have no graphic elements at all.
- If you use a portrait, have it taken by a professional photographer, with no distracting junk in the background.
- An author photo should be of the author—only: no kids, lovers or pets unless they are important to a particular book.
- Remember: A book cover is an advertisement for the book. It should contain elements that attract potential readers. A photo of an unknown author will probably attract nobody!
- Unless your face is recognizable, it does not belong on your front cover. Use the space for something more powerful, such as a larger title.
Fortunately, there are good, low-cost alternatives which few authors think of: the photo studios inside retail stores such as JCPenney and Walmart (not Sears anymore). Some shopping malls have portrait studios, too. While most of their business involves babies and family Christmas cards, those studios will take pictures of solitary adults, often at ridiculously low prices (typically $7.99-$65).
The photographer will be thrilled to have a subject who doesn’t vomit or require funny faces to elicit a smile.
[above/right} My book about Donald Trump has him on the cover. He is more famous than I am (but I am better-looking.)
More about book covers, The Look of a Book: what makes a book cover good or bad and how to design a good one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAPV724
More about book covers, The Look of a Book: what makes a book cover good or bad and how to design a good one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAPV724
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