The most common book cover mistakes indie authors make (and how to fix them)

So, you have written a book. You have poured your heart into it, lived and breathed your characters, and now it is time to put it out into the world. But before you hit publish, let’s talk about book covers.

A cover is more than just a pretty picture. It is the first impression. It tells readers what to expect and whether your book is the right fit for them. If it looks off, confusing or low quality, readers might scroll right past without giving your story a chance.

Indie authors are amazing at storytelling but designing a professional-looking cover can be tricky. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Using the Wrong Fonts

Fonts are powerful. They set the mood and tell readers what genre your book belongs to. A romance novel with bold, blocky text might confuse readers. A thriller with a fancy cursive font might not feel suspenseful.

💡 How to Fix It: Stick to two fonts max. Choose fonts that fit your genre. Thrillers often use sharp, bold text. Fantasy books go for elegant, serif fonts. Romance covers shine with flowing, stylish lettering.

2. Too Many Colours or Clashing Tones

Colour choices can make or break a cover. Some authors pick colours they love rather than colours that suit their book’s tone. This can lead to covers that feel too loud, too bright or just off.

💡 How to Fix It: Look at bestselling books in your genre. What colours do they use? Romantic books often go for soft tones or deep reds. Thrillers lean towards dark shades with bold contrast. Fantasy covers love rich, magical hues. Keep your colours harmonious and intentional.

3. Overcrowding the Cover with Too Much Detail

You want your cover to tell a story but cramming in too many elements can make it feel chaotic. Tiny details that look fine on a big screen might disappear when viewed as a thumbnail.

💡 How to Fix It: Keep it simple and striking. A book cover is not an entire scene. It is a glimpse of your story. One strong focal point, a clear title and a balanced layout will make your book stand out.

4. Ignoring Readability

Your book title is the star of the show. If readers cannot read it at a glance, they will move on. Some indie authors choose too thin or small fonts or place text over busy backgrounds, making it hard to read.

💡 How to Fix It: Make sure your title is large, clear and easy to read even when shrunk down. Test it as a thumbnail before finalising your design.

5. Not Matching the Genre

Readers look for visual clues that tell them if a book is what they want. If your thriller cover looks like a sweet romance, readers will be confused. If your fantasy novel looks like contemporary fiction, it might not find the right audience.

💡 How to Fix It: Study the trends in your genre. You do not need to copy, but your cover should fit alongside bestsellers in the same category. Readers should know instantly what kind of story they are getting.

6. Trying to Do It All Yourself Without the Right Tools

Many indie authors attempt to design covers themselves, which is amazing, but using the wrong tools can make a cover look amateur. Programmes like Word or Paint are not made for book design.

💡 How to Fix It: If you want to DIY, use professional tools like Photoshop, Affinity Publisher or Canva Pro. If design is not your thing, hiring a book cover designer can make all the difference. A well-designed cover will attract more readers and help you sell more books.

Finally...

A book cover should make readers feel something before they even turn a page. It should stand out while fitting in with your genre. It should be clear, professional and compelling.

If you are feeling stuck, do not stress. Every indie author has been there. The good news is that mistakes can be fixed. A strong cover can make the difference between a book that gets noticed and one that gets overlooked.

If you want a cover that grabs attention, tells your story and sells your book, I am here to help. Let’s make your book look as amazing as the story inside.

DM me or drop me an email to chat about your book cover needs.