Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
Designing
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
Editing
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
How to Design the Back Cover of Your Book
How to Design the Back Cover of Your Book
Overview: The back cover of your book is just as important as the front cover, as it provides readers with additional information and often determines whether they’ll pick up your book. For illustrated books, the back cover should include a brief book blurb, illustrations that match the book’s theme, and your ISBN barcode. In this article, we’ll guide you through designing the back cover of your illustrated book and provide tips for creating a visually appealing and informative layout.
Essential Elements to Include on a Book’s Back Cover
When designing the back cover for your book, make sure to include the following elements:
- Book Blurb - The book blurb is a short description of your story, typically 100-150 words. It should provide a brief overview of the plot, introduce the main character(s), and hint at the main conflict or theme of the book. Use engaging language that draws readers in and makes them want to read more.
- Illustrations - Use illustrations that complement the story and match the style of the book’s interior. These could be small decorative elements, like borders or icons, or a more detailed illustration related to the story’s theme or characters.
- ISBN Barcode - Include the ISBN barcode at the bottom right or left corner of the back cover. The ISBN barcode is essential for tracking and selling your book and should be clearly visible and scannable.
- Author Bio or Quote (Optional) - If space allows, consider adding a short author bio or a quote from the book or a review. This can provide additional context and credibility to the book.
Design and Layout Tips for the Back Cover
Here are some design and layout tips to help you create an engaging and professional back cover for your illustrated book:
1. Use Consistent Fonts and Colors
Maintain consistency with the fonts and colors used on the front cover and throughout the book. This creates a cohesive look and reinforces the book’s branding.
- Font Choices: Use the same fonts for the book blurb and any other text elements. The font size should be smaller than the title font on the front cover but still easy to read.
- Color Scheme: Choose colors that complement the illustrations and match the overall theme of the book. Avoid using too many different colors, as this can make the design look cluttered.
2. Arrange Text and Images with Visual Hierarchy
Create a clear visual hierarchy by arranging text and images in a way that guides the reader’s eye through the content. The book blurb should be the most prominent element, followed by the ISBN barcode and any additional illustrations or text.
- Blurb Placement: Place the book blurb near the top or center of the back cover, leaving space for illustrations and the ISBN barcode below.
- ISBN Barcode Placement: Position the ISBN barcode at the bottom corner of the back cover. Ensure it is not obstructed by any illustrations or text.
3. Leave Room for White Space
Use white space strategically to keep the design clean and uncluttered. White space around the book blurb and illustrations helps emphasize these elements and makes the back cover easier to read.
4. Use Illustrations to Enhance the Design
Illustrations on the back cover should complement the front cover and interior illustrations without overwhelming the text. Consider using smaller, simpler illustrations that add visual interest and reflect the book’s style.
5. Preview and Print a Test Copy
Before finalizing your back cover design, preview it to ensure readability and visual appeal. Print a test copy to see how the colors and text look in print and make any necessary adjustments.
Best Practices for Writing a Book Blurb
- Keep It Short and Engaging - The book blurb should be concise, engaging, and provide just enough information to intrigue readers without giving away too much. Aim for 100-150 words.
- Focus on the Main Character and Conflict - Introduce the main character and provide a hint of the main conflict or challenge they face. This gives readers a reason to invest in the story.
- Use Language That Matches the Book’s Tone - Write the blurb in a tone that reflects the book’s style and target audience. For example, use playful language for children’s books or more serious language for educational books.
- End with a Hook - Conclude the blurb with a hook or question that leaves readers wanting more. This could be a hint at what’s to come or an open-ended question related to the story.