Three Book Cover Design Elements To Research In Competing Books
Paying attention to the book cover font, color schemes, and imagery is going to help you create a marketable book cover
When designing a book cover, it’s not just about making something that looks good — it’s about creating a cover that sells.
One of the best ways to ensure your cover is effective is by researching competing books in your genre. Understanding the visual trends that attract your ideal readers can make all the difference in grabbing attention and setting the right expectations. Therefore, this places you on the same playing field as competing books.
Here are three key book cover design elements to analyze in your competitors’ books before finalizing your own.
Typography and Font Choices
Typography does more than display your title — it sets the mood, reinforces genre expectations, and makes your book stand out.
The right font choice can immediately tell a reader whether your book is a dark thriller, a lighthearted romance, or an epic fantasy. On the other hand, a poor font choice can confuse readers and make your book look unprofessional.
When analyzing typography in your genre, pay attention to the following elements:
Font Styles and Their Genre Associations
Different genres tend to favor specific types of fonts.
Here’s a breakdown of common font choices and their psychological impact:
Bold, Blocky Fonts (Sans-Serif, All-Caps, Distressed) → Thrillers, Action, Horror
These fonts create a sense of urgency and intensity.
Examples: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
Look for sharp edges, high contrast, or distressed textures to match the suspenseful tone.
Elegant, Serif Fonts → Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Nonfiction
Serif fonts (those with small decorative strokes on letters) add a classic, timeless feel.
Examples: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
Often paired with a minimalist or vintage-inspired design to enhance the book’s nostalgic or serious tone.
Handwritten or Script Fonts → Romance, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
These fonts evoke warmth, intimacy, and personal storytelling.
Examples: Beach Read by Emily Henry, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
Be cautious — overly decorative script fonts can be difficult to read in thumbnail size.
Futuristic, Geometric Fonts → Science Fiction, Cyberpunk, Dystopian
These fonts often have a sleek, high-tech, or alien feel.
Examples: Neuromancer by William Gibson, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
Thin, sharp-edged letters or digital-inspired typography work well for futuristic themes.
Fantasy & Gothic Fonts → Epic Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural Horror
Fantasy fonts often include decorative flourishes, medieval influences, or a mystical aesthetic.
Examples: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.
Be sure to balance decorative elements with readability — overly ornate fonts can be hard to decipher.
If you are using a tool like Canva, Adobe Spark, or other platforms, they provide hundreds of font options for users to choose from. This can help you look similar to other competing books, but not the exact same.
Title, Author Name, and Tagline Placement
A great book cover isn’t just about font choice — it’s also about typography layout.
When researching competing covers, note:
Title Size & Placement:
Is the title large and centered, or smaller and positioned at the top or bottom?
Thrillers and commercial fiction often have bold, large titles that dominate the cover, making them easy to read at a glance.
Literary and historical fiction may use more subtle title placement, often allowing the artwork to take center stage.
Author Name Size:
Is the author’s name prominent or secondary?
Bestselling authors often have their names displayed in large text (e.g., Stephen King or Colleen Hoover).
Newer authors may keep their names smaller to let the title stand out more.
Tagline or Subtitle Placement:
If your book has a tagline (e.g., A gripping psychological thriller with a shocking twist), where is it placed and how does it draw the reader’s eye?
Thrillers and horror novels often have short, suspenseful taglines in smaller, italicized text above or below the title.
Nonfiction books often use larger subtitles to clarify the book’s subject matter.
Readability: Is Your Font Effective in Thumbnail Size?
Most book sales happen online, which means your cover must be legible even as a small thumbnail on Amazon, Apple Books, or other platforms.
To test readability:
✔ Shrink your cover design down to Amazon thumbnail size (around 100x160 pixels). Is the title still clear?
✔ Avoid thin, overly decorative fonts that might look stylish in full size but become unreadable when scaled down.
✔ Ensure there is a strong contrast between the text and background (e.g., white text on a dark background or vice versa).
Example: If you look at Amazon’s bestseller lists, you’ll notice most books have bold, high-contrast titles that remain readable at a glance. If your title fades into the background or requires effort to read, it might need adjusting.
How to Apply This to Your Cover Research
Before finalizing your typography, follow these steps:
Gather 10–15 bestselling covers in your genre. Analyze font styles, placement, and size.
Identify patterns — does your genre favor serif or sans-serif fonts? Large or subtle titles?
Test your own cover at different sizes. Ensure readability and a strong visual impact.
Get feedback from readers or designers — ask if the typography conveys the right genre and mood.
The Font Can Make or Break Your Cover
A well-chosen font not only enhances your book cover but also ensures it reaches the right audience. By researching typography trends in your genre and focusing on readability, you can create a cover that looks professional, grabs attention, and signals the right story tone.
Tip: If you’re unsure which font style works best, try testing multiple versions with your target audience before making a final decision.
Color Schemes and Mood
Color psychology is a powerful tool in book marketing. Colors evoke emotions, set the mood, and give readers an instant impression of your book’s tone and genre — sometimes even before they read the title. The right color choices can attract your ideal audience, while the wrong ones can cause confusion or misaligned expectations.
When researching book covers in your genre, take note of the dominant colors used by successful books. Do certain shades appear frequently? What emotions do these colors evoke?
Here’s a breakdown of common color schemes by genre and the psychological associations behind them:
Dark and Moody Tones (Black, Red, Navy, Deep Purple, Gray)
Often found in: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Dystopian, Noir, Dark Fantasy
Black conveys mystery, danger, and elegance. Many psychological thrillers and horror novels use black-heavy designs to create a sense of foreboding.
Red is associated with urgency, passion, and danger. It’s frequently used in thrillers and horror books to signal blood, violence, or suspense (Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a great example).
Navy & Dark Blue add a sense of sophistication and intrigue, often appearing in crime novels and detective fiction.
Gray tones create a feeling of bleakness or dystopia, as seen in books like 1984 by George Orwell.
Example: If you’re writing a psychological thriller, using a dark background with a pop of red in the font or imagery (such as a single red object) can make your book feel suspenseful and intense.
Bright and Pastel Colors (Pink, Yellow, Light Blue, Lavender, Peach)
Often found in: Romance, Cozy Mystery, Women’s Fiction, Feel-Good Contemporary
Pink suggests love, warmth, and playfulness, making it a staple in romantic comedies and lighthearted fiction.
Yellow evokes happiness, optimism, and energy, often appearing in uplifting contemporary fiction (The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion).
Light blue and pastel tones create a soft, inviting feel — ideal for cozy mysteries, heartfelt romances, and women’s fiction.
Lavender & Peach add a sense of whimsy and nostalgia, common in book club fiction and feel-good reads.
Example: If you’re writing a sweet romance, a pastel background with hand-drawn or playful typography can signal warmth and charm, appealing to fans of Emily Henry or Sophie Kinsella.
Earthy and Neutral Tones (Green, Brown, Muted Blues, Gold, Deep Orange)
Often found in: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Nature-Inspired Fantasy, Nonfiction Memoirs
Green symbolizes growth, nature, and history, making it a popular choice for historical fiction and environmentally-themed books.
Brown & Beige convey a sense of nostalgia and authenticity, often appearing in books set in the past or with deep literary themes (Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens).
Muted blues and teals add a thoughtful, reflective quality, frequently found in literary fiction and memoirs.
Gold & Deep Orange create a sense of richness and warmth, sometimes appearing in epic fantasies or novels with themes of legacy and culture.
Example: If your book is a historical novel set in the 1800s, using sepia tones, gold accents, and a rustic typeface can immediately transport readers into the time period.
Bold and Vibrant Colors (Neon, Contrasting Colors, Metallics)
Often found in: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action-Packed Thrillers, Young Adult (YA)
Neon shades (bright pink, electric blue, lime green) are often used in sci-fi and cyberpunk, signaling futuristic or dystopian themes (Neuromancer by William Gibson).
High-contrast colors (black + gold, red + white, deep blue + silver) create a striking, dramatic effect, common in fantasy and adventure books.
Metallic foils (gold, silver, bronze) add a premium feel and are often used in epic fantasy or bestselling YA novels (Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi).
Example: If you’re writing a futuristic sci-fi novel, a black background with neon cyan typography can signal a high-tech, fast-paced story.
How to Apply This to Your Cover Research
Before finalizing your book cover, take these steps to ensure your color scheme aligns with your genre:
Gather Data: Look up at least 10–15 bestselling books in your genre (Amazon, Goodreads, and bookstore shelves are great resources).
Identify Trends: Write down the most common colors used. Are they warm or cool? Muted or vibrant?
Compare and Contrast: Find ways to fit in while still standing out — if most books use dark colors, maybe yours could have a pop of a contrasting color.
Think About Your Story’s Mood: If your novel is a dark, slow-burn mystery, a bright pastel cover might not set the right expectations.
Consider Branding: If you’re writing a series, think about a consistent color palette that ties all your books together.
Use Color to Guide Readers to Your Book
A reader should be able to glance at your cover and immediately feel the genre and mood of your book. While originality is important, understanding the psychology of color and the trends in your genre can help you design a cover that attracts the right audience.
Before finalizing your design, test different color variations and get feedback from readers or fellow authors. The right color choices can be the difference between a book that blends into the background and one that grabs attention instantly!
Imagery and Visual Style
The imagery on a book cover is one of the quickest ways to convey the genre, tone, and themes of your story. Readers subconsciously associate certain visual elements with specific types of books, so choosing the right style can mean the difference between attracting your ideal audience or confusing them.
When researching book covers in your niche, pay attention to:
People on the Cover: Full Faces, Silhouettes, or No People at All?
Many genres have established trends regarding whether characters appear on the cover and, if so, how they are depicted:
Romance novels often feature couples in an embrace, a single character (sometimes facing away), or even illustrated figures in modern, minimalist styles.
Thrillers and mysteries might use silhouettes or partial faces, keeping an air of intrigue.
Fantasy and sci-fi covers frequently avoid character portraits, instead focusing on landscapes, magical symbols, or elaborate world-building elements.
Literary fiction may use abstract representations of characters or avoid people altogether, focusing instead on symbolic objects or artistic typography.
If you’re writing a fantasy novel and most bestsellers in your subgenre showcase a mystical object rather than a character, you might want to follow suit to align with reader expectations.
Symbolism: What Objects or Motifs Appear in Your Genre?
Sometimes, an object can tell a story more effectively than a character’s face. Research book covers in your category and see if certain symbols or objects appear frequently. Some common examples include:
A dagger or blood splatter for thrillers, crime, or dark fantasy.
A key, magnifying glass, or puzzle pieces for mysteries.
A crown, sword, or enchanted artifact for fantasy novels.
A house, family silhouette, or nostalgic object for contemporary fiction or historical novels.
Including a well-recognized symbol from your genre can make your book cover instantly relatable to your target audience while still leaving room for creativity.
Minimalism vs. Intricate Design: What Works Best?
Another crucial factor to consider is the overall design style of popular book covers in your niche.
Minimalist covers (such as those found in contemporary fiction, literary novels, and some thrillers) use simple imagery, negative space, and bold typography. Think of covers like The Midnight Library by Matt Haig or Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
Highly detailed, intricate covers (often found in fantasy, historical fiction, and epic sci-fi) lean toward rich colors, ornate fonts, and elaborate illustrations, such as The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon or The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
By analyzing competing books, you can determine whether your audience prefers clean, modern covers or lush, detail-heavy artwork.
Research Before You Design
Your book cover is a silent salesperson, attracting the right readers before they even read the blurb. By studying how competing books in your genre handle imagery — whether through character portrayals, symbolic elements, or artistic styles — you can craft a cover that feels familiar yet fresh.
Next time you’re in a bookstore or browsing online, take a screenshot of 10–15 books in your genre and analyze their visual patterns. This research will help you create a cover that not only looks great but also sells your book effectively.
Final Thoughts
Researching competing book covers isn’t about copying — it’s about understanding market expectations.
A cover that fits within your genre while offering a unique twist will help your book catch the right readers’ eyes. Before finalizing your design, study what’s working in your niche and apply those insights strategically.
And finally, test your cover out on readers.
They are going to be your best judges and provide the most valuable feedback to ensure your book is reader-ready.