Best Book Covers

Looking for design inspiration? Here are the best book covers designed by professionals on Reedsy. See one you love? Get your own top-tier cover from that designer on our marketplace.

Designer: Mark K.

Animal Control

Jonathan R. Miller

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"I chose this moment because it’s small, strange, and easy to overlook. Early in the story, the worm forming shapes feels incidental, but as the book unfolds, you realize it’s quietly teaching you how power and intention work in this world. That ambiguity is important. I tend to avoid literal character-driven covers and instead look for a single image that hints at the rules of the story. Something simple, a little unsettling, that trusts the reader to connect the dots."

Designer: Barış Ş.

Burn the Freeze

S.M. McVicar

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The Chalice of Fortune book cover, by Betty M.

Designer: Betty M.

The Chalice of Fortune

Sarah L Barnett

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Designer: Nejc P.

Dead Flowers

J.M. Petrick

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"For Dead Flowers, I designed a cover that captures the book’s bold, rebellious spirit and moody noir tone. Drawing inspiration from classic pulp covers, I reimagined their raw energy through a modern lens. Merging vintage grit with contemporary minimalism and a dash of Hollywood flair."

Tulip: The Brave Little Beaver book cover, by Colleen C.

Designer: Colleen C.

Tulip: The Brave Little Beaver

Holley Muraco

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“The book follows the unbelievable journey of Tulip, a lovable and playful little character. To reflect her hopeful story, we chose bright primary colors and a clean, distraction-free background that lets her joyful spirit take center stage.”

The Summers of Us book cover, by Rachel S.

Designer: Rachel S.

The Summers of Us

Taylor Crooks

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"I start by understanding the book’s mood and visual landscape, then collaborate closely to capture key imagery in a unique way. For this cover, we built a photo collage to reflect the characters and fine-tuned the sunset tones to match the story’s emotion. I treated it like a painting—designed to feel like art, not just packaging. The final painted texture adds warmth and mystery, creating a cover that’s both visually striking and deeply connected to the book’s heart."

Designer: Barış Ş.

An Old Soul

M. Kevin Hayden

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The Unsaid Summer book cover, by Owen G.

Designer: Owen G.

The Unsaid Summer

Josef Lemoine

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"This cover captures a specific moment from Josef Lemoine's beautiful and nostalgic romantic novel. Through discussions with Josef it was clear he wanted to capture that vibrant, effervescent feeling of being young and in love so the artwork is rich, saturated and full of motion and warmth. The hand drawn type reflects the narrative which is told through letters between the two protagonists."

When Things Go Missing book cover, by Owen G.

Designer: Owen G.

When Things Go Missing

Deborah J. Brasket

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"This was a really interesting collaboration as the author Deborah Brasket decided to use an existing, public domain painting by Paul Klee as the basis for the cover. By tweaking the artwork, adding small narrative elements and finding complimentary fonts and design, we managed to create a perfect cover for the novel whilst maintaining the feel and sprit of Klee's original painting."

The Lost Fifty-Seven book cover, by Paul P.

Designer: Paul P.

The Lost Fifty-Seven

Ron Williams

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"Ron had to turn detective for his geniolocical mystery, so in designing the cover, I was aiming for a modern take on the classic detective novel. I took vintage elements, and treated them in a modern way to give the overall composition a contemporary feel. The halftone picture is of the author and his sister staring quizzically out of their enigmatic father’s silhouette."

Beyond The Ocean Door book cover, by My Lan K.

Designer: My Lan K.

Beyond The Ocean Door

Amisha Sathi

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"For this coming-of-age fantasy, I aimed to create a beautiful yet mysterious scene. The main character opens a door that only she can see through, sparking curiosity about what awaits her. Her glowing sword suggests both magic and danger, while the light pouring from the door has a liquid quality, hinting at its oceanic nature. Though digitally painted, I added texture and soft edges to give the illustration a traditional, hand-painted feel, enhancing its depth and atmosphere."

Searching For Her book cover, by Richard L.

Designer: Richard L.

Searching For Her

Jackson Clear

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"For this darkly comic novel of a disturbed young man’s unorthodox search for his soulmate I ended up with a collage approach centered around a young woman’s face. This suited not only the love story angle, but also the edgy writing style and all the mayhem that ensues—ultimately culminating during the Rodney King riots. California is an important aspect—almost as if a character in the story—and is featured prominently in the collage through various visuals. The typography is hand-lettered."

Vivian In Red book cover, by Danna Mathias S.

Designer: Danna Mathias S.

Vivian In Red

Kristina Riggle

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"For this cover, we wanted to communicate the era (Jazz Age/Roaring Twenties) in New York City, a feeling of mystery with a touch of romance, and the underlying theme of musicals. I worked with the lush red and gold color palette to evoke warmth, lightly era-specific typography for the title, and framed the title with thematic elements to create a cohesive and clear message."

Frankenstein book cover, by Alejandro C.

Designer: Alejandro C.

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley (New illustrated edition)

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"Frankenstein is an enduring icon that has been reimagined countless times, though the creature's true appearance often remains ambiguous. My challenge was to faithfully capture Mary Shelley’s original vision. For the slipcase design, I imagined a scientific sketch—a conceptual blueprint of the creature's face, as if drawn by Victor himself. This creates a striking contrast: the slipcase shows the creature in its 'draft' phase, while the book cover depicts it fully realized, in flesh and blood."

Search for Complete book cover, by Ryan M.

Designer: Ryan M.

Search for Complete

Stephen G Hardy

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"The classical framed art reflects the book's timeless exploration of love and relationships, inspired by the Aristophanes Myth on the Origin of Love. To blend originality with current trends, I added rich, moody foliage in the background, focusing on the classical portraits. The right frame, featuring a female figure within a crescent moon, captures the ethereal themes, while the left portrait represents the main character. This unconventional romance cover suits a story that defies the genre."

Designer: Richard L.

Wu Lou

by Xinhua Lu (Author), Capella Cao (Translator)

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"The book opens with a haunting scene in a secluded Cambodian jungle temple in the early 1970s. Tutu, a young woman, finds her fiancé, a Khmer Rouge officer, crushed beneath a Buddha statue, setting Wu Lou, the temple’s master monk, on a path of exile. The cover reflects this era and setting, with a "never-ending redness" of trees, leaves, and petals evoking beauty and bloodshed. Tutu is featured prominently but tightly cropped, with a subtle Cambodian landscape and temple in the foreground."

Half a Cup of Sand And Sky book cover, by Richard L.

Designer: Richard L.

Half a Cup of Sand And Sky

Nadine Bjursten

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"Finalist for the PEN/Bellwether Prize, the book portrays one woman's search for love and belonging amid political turmoil. Bjursten immerses readers in a life, nation, and era with lasting impact. For this layered story, I aimed to depict the protagonist as a strong, visionary woman without resorting to visual clichés or a literal photo. The solution was a silhouetted collage incorporating fragments of the title and story... sand, sky, sea, rose gardens, Persian heritage, and literature."

Junior Year Bites book cover, by Driss C.

Designer: Driss C.

Junior Year Bites

Annie Lisenby

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"This book is a YA story where the protagonist must adapt to her new vampire life. The quirky story and characters inspired a cover featuring the protagonist as a bridge between her vampire friends on the left and her human social circle on the right. A pink palette and bright yellow title signal it as YA at first glance. To incorporate elements the author requested, like a teacup, squirrel, and paintbrushes, I included them within the protagonist's outfit, foreshadowing events in the book."

Designer: Barış Ş.

Transference

Ian Patterson

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"This cover captures the story’s layered narrative, blending illness and the human body with interdimensional travel. Symbolic elements—halls, doors, paths, and a watching eye—evoke the narrator’s presence and themes of surveillance. With a magical realist, maximalist aesthetic, the design reflects the story’s fusion of medical, spiritual, and speculative elements, setting it apart within the dystopian and cyberpunk genres."

Designer: Barış Ş.

WORM$

khari gordon

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"The cover is directly inspired by the plot, aiming to capture the intense sense of action and adventure. It embraces an underground vibe, signalling to the audience that they’re in for a wild, unpredictable ride filled with eccentric twists. The bold typography and edgy illustration style were carefully chosen to reflect the chaotic energy of the story, letting readers know they’re about to dive into something thrilling and out of the ordinary."

To Catch a Falling Star book cover, by Madli S.

Designer: Madli S.

To Catch a Falling Star

L. M. Ramirez

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"The author requested a fully illustrated cover featuring a portrait of the main character. After discussing the storyline, it became clear that stars and the universe play a key role in the story. The final concept shows the main character gazing up at the stars, reflecting on her identity and origins. We aimed for a dreamy, mysterious mood to captivate YA fantasy readers and evoke the sense of wonder central to the narrative."

In the Joshua Sea book cover, by Barış Ş.

Designer: Barış Ş.

In the Joshua Sea

M. Stillman

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"The cover art aims to visually encapsulate the author's deep connection to Joshua Tree National Park. The challenge was to harmoniously merge the desert landscape with oceanic elements, striking a balance between these contrasting environments. By combining unexpected imagery—such as a whale amidst the desert and Joshua trees—the illustration becomes both captivating and intriguing."

Beyond the Border book cover, by Owen G.

Designer: Owen G.

Beyond the Border

Nicole Rogers

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"The book is an honest memoir of one man's experience through the Korean War and the country's divide to the modern day. The cover, split in half, reflects both the North-South Korea divide and the author's contrasting life experiences. The design symbolizes the divide between past and present, young and old, positive and negative. A serif font grounds it as a serious memoir, while painterly tones and hand-drawn elements add a sensitive, human touch, balancing contrast without being too harsh."

The Fruit You'll Never See book cover, by Vanessa M.

Designer: Vanessa M.

The Fruit You'll Never See

Gail Brenner Nastasia

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"The cover is a minimalist yet powerful design that reflects the book's themes of hidden pain and resilience. The image of two hands holding a delicate flower, partially obscured by darkness, symbolises the hidden secrets and emotions that the protagonist struggles to confront. The contrasting colours and stark typography create a sense of tension and mystery, inviting readers to delve deeper into the story."

The Case of the Missing Cheese book cover, by Caitlin B. A.

Designer: Caitlin B. A.

The Case of the Missing Cheese

Lisa C. Mitchell

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"For this Middle Grade, the author and I wanted to find the right balance of whimsy and mystery 一 nothing too "kiddy" and nothing too scary. The carnival is an important setting in the book, and this audience usually responds well to character-based covers, so I put together a narrative image that included enigmatic body language with slightly discordant but vibrant colors that aligns with the genre while still intriguing the reader to find out more."

A Cold Night for Alligators book cover, by Nuno M.

Designer: Nuno M.

A Cold Night for Alligators

Viggy Hampton

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"The hand-drawn, distressed calligraphy on this cover conveys a sense of danger and primal energy. The rawness of this approach, combined with the looming red alligator tail, suggests an untamed, suspenseful story. The tail runs diagonally across the cover, creating dynamic movement that complements the title. Its curve guides the viewer’s eye from the upper right to the lower left, pulling the reader into the action, as if they’re being drawn into the alligator's grasp."

Designer: Danna Mathias S.

Toska

Elizabeth C Cabrera

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"The book is about a woman navigating adulthood. We used florals to symbolize her 'blooming beautifully' into it, with the crack representing the challenge of 'keeping it together.' The heavier serif title font, common in fiction, is balanced by the unique cover image and florals winding through the text. The contrast between the woman's cracked face and the beauty of the florals adds a unique, fun element. I also used texture in the title for cohesion and chose an unexpected title color."

The Tears of Apphat book cover, by Arjan V.

Designer: Arjan V.

The Tears of Apphat

Alain Louis Camus

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"The author and I aimed to give this book cover a cinematic feel, like a movie poster, full of atmosphere while showcasing the main character. The story is set in a fictional desert world with Arabic influences, which is expressed mainly in the typography. The subtle sacred geometry in the sky references the magical aspect of the story. These geometric designs reappear at the start of each chapter, creating a cohesive and unified design throughout the entire book."

Beyond The Moon book cover, by Vanessa M.

Designer: Vanessa M.

Beyond The Moon

Catherine Taylor

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"The cover features a stunning image that captures the book's themes of time travel and love. The beautiful portrait of the woman set against a war-torn landscape adds a layer of mystery. The overlapping elements and contrasting colours symbolise the connection between the past and present, inviting readers to dive into this captivating story."

Designer: Euan M.

Enough

Jon Douglas

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"The brief for ‘Enough.’ called for a “clean, crisp, and straight to the point” cover. This was understandable, since these are features of many of the best tech-related covers, and so the challenge at the core of this project was to balance the tech aesthetic with elements that reflected the thoughtful psychology that runs through the book. This was accomplished primarily through the use of a warmer colour palette, which was also applied to create a unique wordmark for the title."

Designer: Eva P.

Foster Poems

Joshua Thaddeus Hill

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Cautionary Tales book cover, by Patricia M.

Designer: Patricia M.

Cautionary Tales

Mary Hickey

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THE ONE WE LEFT BEHIND book cover, by Taylor B.

Designer: Taylor B.

THE ONE WE LEFT BEHIND

Sara Coven

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Designer: Richard L.

Awoken

KT Cornelio

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"Awoken immerses readers in the lives of highly sensitive characters, diverse in age, race, gender, ability, sexuality, and even species. The novel follows parallel timelines, and the visual solution was to use the title letters as canvases, displaying fragments of these scenes while forming one unified character when viewed as a whole. Straddling the line between sci-fi and literary fiction, the design reflects this duality, capturing the novel's complexity and depth."

The Wood and The Trees book cover, by Mark T.

Designer: Mark T.

The Wood and The Trees

P. G. Davies

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"The design was drawn from ideas of the UK’s corporate culture business and personal excesses of the mid 1980s. The imagery of a paint-daubed Neoclassical statue is a nod toward the financial market background of the main character. The rugby ball has ties to the same character’s sporting background. Basically: work hard, play hard. The typography is cool and considered. The green colour scheme has a playful Penguin-esque vibe."

The End Of Nobility book cover, by Xavier C.

Designer: Xavier C.

The End Of Nobility

Michael Green Jr.

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Be Like The Moon book cover, by Xavier C.

Designer: Xavier C.

Be Like The Moon

Levi Welton

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Confessions of a Kamikaze Geisha book cover, by Rafael A.

Designer: Rafael A.

Confessions of a Kamikaze Geisha

M. A. Cooney

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Best Book Covers

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Best Book Covers

Animal Control

Burn the Freeze

The Chalice of Fortune

Dead Flowers

Tulip: The Brave Little Beaver

The Summers of Us

An Old Soul

The Unsaid Summer

When Things Go Missing

The Lost Fifty-Seven

Beyond The Ocean Door

Searching For Her

Vivian In Red

Frankenstein

Search for Complete

Wu Lou

Half a Cup of Sand And Sky

Junior Year Bites

Transference

WORM$

To Catch a Falling Star

In the Joshua Sea

Beyond the Border

The Fruit You'll Never See

The Case of the Missing Cheese

A Cold Night for Alligators

Toska

The Tears of Apphat

Beyond The Moon

Enough

Foster Poems

Cautionary Tales

THE ONE WE LEFT BEHIND

Awoken

The Wood and The Trees

The End Of Nobility

Be Like The Moon

Confessions of a Kamikaze Geisha

reedsymarketplace

Find the right designer for your book

Why is a quality book cover so important?

What are the benefits of professionally designed book covers?

How do I find the right designer for me?

How much should I expect to pay?

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