Book Jackets

The Front Covers

The Back Covers

Books have always been judged by their covers. In a bookstore you look at the cover first, and then turn over the book to read the back cover. Or maybe you next read the inside front and back flap covers of a hardcover book.

Now, though, many of us judge a book by first seeing it on the Internet — even if we ultimately buy the book in a bookstore using a 30% off coupon.

And on the Internet, especially on Amazon, the book cover is a tiny thing. And, yes, many books on Amazon have the LOOK INSIDE feature. Still, your book cover has nanoseconds to connect with a potential buyer before that person clicks away to another book (Diaz, 2008).

Your potential reader has perhaps 5 seconds to look at your cover. Maybe 10 seconds or more to read the back of your book, before deciding if they want to open it and scan the first few pages.

Consider the fact that your reader will spend the rest of the time 'inside the book.'

Is it easy to read? Even though it may be all text, and no graphics, is it pleasing to the eye? Does the layout appear inviting? Are there 'rivers' running through paragraphs or improperly justified text?

Your readers do not want to struggle to read what you have to share with them. The proper page layout can give your book that crucial professional feel and look to a prospective buyer. They may look at the front and back covers, but if considering a purchase will almost always quickly skim a portion of the inside of the book as well. Don't put yourself at a disadvantage (Frederich, 2006).

Page design consists of many things: the font, the leading, kerning, character spacing, the styles applied to the text, the ...