Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction Book Covers

As book cover design professionals, during our years working with thousands of independent authors and publishers, we have repeatedly been asked the question of what distinguishes a non-fiction book cover design from the fiction ones.

So we decided to write about it, to help you better understand the differences.

Nonfiction Book Covers

Nonfiction books are usually written to serve a purpose. In other words, they are typically educational or expository. Books covers for nonfiction books, in turn, tend to be more straightforward and informational. They tell you exactly what the book is about and what you can learn from it.

Nonfiction book covers often have more text on them, which includes a lot of factors such as long subtitles, author’s qualifications, descriptors, awards, and so on. Infact, long book titles are also a determinant element for the nonfiction book cover. As your potential buyer expects, the title must carry a more direct message and be filled with more detailed information.

When designing a nonfiction cover, you need to be cautious not to overdo it. Find the correct equilibrium between the overall number of words and the cover size, along with any other elements in it. Any images or graphics used should be clearly related to content. A messy cover maybe overwhelming, blurring the message you want to send to your readers. We suggest using a clean and linear structure, with graphic components kept to a minimum.

Fiction Book Cover

Fiction books covers are entirely different than nonfiction covers. The design choice here is vaster. In fact, the purpose of a nonfiction cover is to be more elusive and spark the buyer’s imagination.

Fiction uses shorter titles, no more than four words, and there are rarely any subtitles. Fiction book titles must tease, leaving a sense of mystery that will drive the potential reader to buy.

Fiction book cover designs should reflect the book genre. It’s the essence of the book that needs to be revealed through the cover design.

Another consideration is whether the book is one of a series or a standalone. This will help you determine a few components or elements you need to use throughout all covers in the series to maintain a feeling of continuity and connotation between the books. You may apply the same typography or identical overall layout style or image graphics.

More Factors to Consider

Always remember that all book style trends change over time, so make sure your design is up to date. More than anything else, the cover design expresses the voice of your book; that’s why it needs professional guidance. So choose an experienced cover designer to achieve a successful sales campaign.

Before ordering your custom, professional ebook, or book cover design, make sure to explore the best nonfiction or fictional book cover options.

At Ebook Launch, we have a 100% money-back guarantee, so our designers will design all the cover concepts you demand until you are fully satisfied. Visit our website to learn more about book cover design services, ideas, or costs.