Cover Design and YOU!: Dos, Don'ts, and Choices

by Annie Acorn, Angel Nichols

On a crisp fall day in 2011, an older, successful author and publisher – desperate for a book cover design, once burnt but still hopeful – picked up her phone and called a young, unproven graphic designer, who had demonstrated an amazing talent. Two hours later, they had reached the decision that would dramatically affect both of their careers, indeed their lives, forever. Author and illustrator would now forge a relationship that has produced over one hundred successful book launches, top sales rankings, and award-winning book covers.

How did they do it? What were the design tools upon which they relied?

With no holds barred, internationally beloved author and boutique publisher Annie Acorn and her company’s exclusive graphic designer Angel Nichols, also an internationally known author and member of From Womens’ Pens, share their story and their secrets within these pages in an easy-to-read format, complete with a touch of humor.

The good, the bad, the dos, the don’ts, the choices, the technical tools needed, the emotional ups and downs, the art of graphic design communication, the requirements for a great cover, and even the resources you will need to create one of your own – all their unique insights and collective knowledge have been included for your benefit.

Are you an indie author struggling to find that elusive bond with a professional cover artist? An illustrator trying to break onto the professional scene? A publisher juggling both at the same time? Or even a group of authors working on a special project?

Then this is the one, fact-filled book that you will want to carry as you embark on your own journey towards either the creation of or contracting for a fabulous book cover that will ensure the success of your book publishing endeavor.

Come for the invaluable information. Stay for the fun. With these tools in your hands, may your efforts be as well-rewarded as theirs have been!

75 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 18, 2015

About the author

Annie Acorn is the pseudonym of a prolific, internationally published author, whose readership recognizes her mainly for her women’s fiction, cozy mysteries and richly woven stories with a warm southern flair, such as Chocolate Can Kill and her Luna Lake Cabins romantic women’s fiction series. She writes her romantic women’s fiction/family saga Captain’s Point series as Charlotte Kent. She is a founding member of From Women’s Pens – A Cooperative of Women Writers.
Annie is the mother of two sons. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area, where she has done extensive technical writing as a contractor.
She owned a tri-state medical outsourcing business for a number of years and was the Director of a behavioral healthcare firm. She once flipped a comic book and collectible retail company comprised of five stores, and she has managed cemeteries and funeral homes. She is the owner of Annie Acorn Publishing, LLC.
Ms. Acorn has published in The Inspirational Writer, and she edited an in-house publication for the State of Mississippi. She is a contributor of ezine articles.
In her spare time, Ms. Acorn enjoys reading, writing mysteries and romantic women’s fiction, listening to classical music, playing cards, and spending time with her family and friends – often at a restaurant serving delicious food.
Annie is the author of the blog at annieacorn.com. You can friend her on Facebook and tweet her at @Annie_Acorn. She will respond to your email sent to annieacorn11@gmail.com.