How to give effective feedback to a cover designer
Creating a fantasy book cover design that captures the essence of your story is a collaborative effort between an author and a designer.

Creating a fantasy book cover design that captures the essence of your story is a collaborative effort between an author and a designer. Giving clear, constructive feedback ensures that the final cover meets your vision while remaining marketable. Here’s how you can provide effective feedback to your cover designer.
1. Understand Your Book’s Target Audience
Before providing feedback, ensure you have a clear understanding of your book’s audience. A fantasy book cover should align with genre expectations—whether it’s epic fantasy, dark fantasy, or urban fantasy. Research other best-selling books in your niche to ensure your cover is both eye-catching and competitive.
Action Tip:
- Identify key visual elements from successful fantasy book cover design that match your book’s theme.
- Communicate what emotions or themes you want the cover to convey (e.g., mystery, adventure, magic).
2. Be Specific About What Works and What Doesn’t
Vague feedback like “It doesn’t feel right” can be confusing for a designer. Instead, pinpoint exactly what you like and what needs improvement.
Examples of Specific Feedback:
❌ “The colors are off.”
✔ “I’d prefer deeper blues and purples to create a more mystical feel.”
❌ “The typography isn’t working.”
✔ “Can we try a serif font that looks more medieval to match the fantasy theme?”
Action Tip:
- Highlight specific elements such as color scheme, typography, imagery, or composition that need adjustment.
3. Provide Reference Images
Visual references can help your designer understand your vision better than words alone. If you’ve seen fantasy covers that inspire you, share them. This helps align expectations and ensures that the design direction remains on track.
Action Tip:
- Use Pinterest or create a mood board with fantasy book cover designs you admire.
- Share examples from successful books in your eBook publishing service UK niche to guide the designer.
4. Consider Marketability, Not Just Personal Preference
While it’s important that you love your cover, it should also appeal to your target readers. A highly artistic cover that doesn’t fit genre expectations might hurt sales.
Action Tip:
- Ask: “Would this cover stand out in the fantasy genre?”
- Check how the cover looks in thumbnail size, as most readers will first see it on digital platforms.
5. Allow for Creative Freedom
Your designer is a professional, so while your input is valuable, trust their expertise in composition, typography, and color theory. Avoid micromanaging every detail—focus on giving directional feedback rather than dictating every change.
Example of Balanced Feedback:
✔ “I’d love for the character to look more mysterious, maybe by adding shadows or changing their pose. What do you think?”
6. Use a Structured Feedback Process
Instead of overwhelming your designer with scattered thoughts, organize your feedback. Focus on key areas such as:
- Overall impression (Does it fit your book’s theme?)
- Typography (Is it readable? Does it match the genre?)
- Color scheme (Does it create the right mood?)
- Imagery (Do the visual elements convey the right story?)
Action Tip:
- Provide feedback in rounds rather than all at once. This allows for gradual improvements without redoing the entire design.
Final Thoughts
Giving effective feedback ensures that your fantasy book cover design is both visually stunning and marketable. By being clear, specific, and open to collaboration, you can achieve a cover that represents your book’s essence while standing out in the competitive eBook publishing service UK market.
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