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# Book Back Cover: 6 Steps to a Back Cover that Converts
- URL: https://brookevitale.com/blog/back-book-cover/
- Published: 2021-05-11T02:12:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T20:14:06.000Z
- Description: How to write and design a book back cover, featuring a step-by-step guide, free book back cover design templates, and back cover examples for all genres.
- Author: Andrew Vitale
- Tags: Writing, Marketing

An effective book back cover draws a reader in with a combination of the following five elements: tagline, book summary, teaser, author bio, and book reviews. The back cover of a book is an author’s most valuable tool for turning a browser into a buyer. It is an author's place to tell a reader what makes this book a must-read. This 5-step guide will walk author's through creating a book back cover that converts.

## 1\. Start with a strong book cover

An author has 10 seconds to grab a reader's attention with the book's front cover. The book cover is the forward facing portion of a book. It is the first thing a reader sees, whether a book is shelved face out at a store, or is just a thumbnail online. These days, more and more books are being purchased online. That means the front cover thumbnail needs to be clean and appealing to stand out among a sea of other book covers, most likely in the same genre. An effective book cover needs to make a potential reader stop scrolling. In order to do so, authors need to ensure that the book cover has two elements: a good title and appealing cover art. A reader needs to feel a connection to the book, and needs to know at a glance what they are getting. Cover art that doesn't tell a story will make selling a fiction book challenging, if not impossible. A title written in an unreadable font is likely to turn off buyers. And above all, a book cover must look professional. One element that most successful book covers employ is the use of the top third of the book to convey the most important information. People read from top to bottom, so the top portion of the book must grab a reader's attention, whether online or in a retail store where they are in a waterfall display. Take a look at the front cover examples below from a children's, fiction, and nonfiction book.

![A picture of book covers showing the key elements that an author should include on a front cover.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-book-cover-examples.jpg)

### Children's Book Cover Example

In the case of the children's book cover example, [*Bug Hunt* by Brooke Vitale](https://shop.chargemommybooks.com/products/bug-hunt?ref=brookevitale.com), published by [Charge Mommy Books](https://shop.chargemommybooks.com/?ref=brookevitale.com), the fact that it is a level 1 early reader with literacy activities is clearly spelled out on top. The art clearly shows what is happening in the book, and the text is easy to read. If you are in the market for early reader books, check our full line of Charge into Reading Level 1 Reading Books at [Charge Mommy Books new online bookstore](https://shop.chargemommybooks.com/collections/early-reader-books?ref=brookevitale.com).

### Nonfiction Book Cover Example

In the case of the nonfiction book example, [Think Again by Adam Grant](https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107?ref=brookevitale.com), published by Viking Press, the text is easy to read, and the top third of the book calls out that the author is a *New York Times* Bestseller. Instead of a story moment, a single piece of interesting art draws the reader in. This is paired with a tagline that tells the reader what the book is about.

### Fiction Book Cover Example

In the case of the adult fiction cover example, [*Kill Shot by Vince Flynn*](https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Shot-Mitch-Vince-Flynn/dp/1416595201?ref=brookevitale.com), published by Atria, the biggest text is the author's name. That is because Vince Flynn is the selling point. Readers will buy the book based solely on his name. The front cover image offers a clear picture of the story, showing a reader where it is set and the story's protagonist.

## 2\. Craft a compelling book tagline

The book tagline, or headline, is a line or two that goes at the top of the book back cover. It’s big and bold and calls attention to itself quickly. This is particularly important in young adult books and novels for an older audience, where the tagline is your chance to create an eye-catching, compelling tease. It is also important to remember that on a book that has a dust jacket, the longer book summary will go on an inside flap. In that instance, the tagline may be the only text about the book on the back cover. Take a look at the tagline examples from [*The Hunger Games* by Suzanne Collins](https://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins-Paperback/dp/B00YDJSO5M?ref=brookevitale.com), [*Looking for Alaska by John Green*](https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Alaska-John-Green/dp/0525475060?ref=brookevitale.com) and [*Slushy, Slurpy City Snow*](https://shop.chargemommybooks.com/products/slushy-slurpy-city-snow?ref=brookevitale.com) by Brooke Vitale.

![An image showing different types of taglines across genres including fiction and children's books.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-book-back-cover-tagline-examples.jpg)

The tagline for *The Hunger Games* reads *Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun.* With just this, a reader is immediately drawn in, eager to know what the Hunger Games are. *Looking for Alaska* uses the following tagline: *First drink. First prank. First friend. First girl. Last words.* This gives us a slight sense of the book—enough to intrigue us, but not enough to satisfy our curiosity. Our only choice? Read on!

### Children's Book Back Cover Taglines

A children's book back cover—whether for picture books, early reader books, early chapter books, or chapter books—won't typically use a tagline, though a rhyming book will sometimes offer a verse to give the reader the idea that the book is written in rhyme, as in the example above from my book [*Slushy, Slurpy City Snow*](https://shop.chargemommybooks.com/products/slushy-slurpy-city-snow?ref=brookevitale.com).

```
The snow is falling, 
crisp and white.
But something's hiding 
out of sight . . .

```

In general, however, children's books tend to dive straight into the . . . book summary.

## 3\. Write a strong book summary

A book blurb or book summary is a compelling description of what a book is about. It is intended to draw a reader in and make them want to buy or read a book. The elements of a book summary vary by genre, as each is striving to accomplish something different. So let's take a look the differences between fiction and nonfiction book summaries.

### Fiction Book Summary

The purpose of a book summary for a fiction book is to make the reader curious. By offering up just enough information to intrigue a reader, but not enough to answer any questions, the reader is left with no choice but to read the book. This is true regardless of genre, from mystery or romance to YA or children's picture books.

At its core, an effective fiction book summary should do three things:

- Introduce the protagonist
- Set the stage for the story conflict
- Present the challenge the protagonist faces in overcoming their problem.

All three of these are essential to drawing an audience in. And the more emotionally invested a reader is in the characters, the better.

Take a look at the fiction book summary examples below from [*Periwinkle Smith in Stuck Duck by Brooke Vitale*](https://www.amazon.com/Periwinkle-Smith-Stuck-Brooke-Vitale/dp/1955947139?ref=brookevitale.com), published by Charge Mommy Books and *Kill Shot* by Vince Flynn, published by Atria. If you are interested in seeing some additional picture book summary examples or in the market to purchase a picture book, check out my new line of picture books, available today at [Charge Mommy Books online shop](https://shop.chargemommybooks.com/collections/picture-books?ref=brookevitale.com).

![Book back cover examples for children's book and adult fiction book summaries.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-book-back-cover-fiction-summary-example.jpg)

In the case of *Periwinkle Smith in Stuck Duck,* our protagonist is Duck. The story conflict is that he has a trumpet stuck on his head. And the challenge is finding a way to get free.

The idea of having a trumpet stuck on your head is a comical. It helps readers to see that there is humor in the book, while leaving them curious about how the duck got stuck and how he will get free.

In the case of *Kill Shot*, the protagonist is Mitch Rapp. The conflict is that his own handlers have declared him a liability. And the challenge is that he must now survive on his own, against his former allies.

Here, the reader is given a sense for the world Mitch Rapp lives in. We understand the stakes and are left wondering if he can survive—and what will become of his enemies.

### Nonfiction Book Summary

Nonfiction book summaries work a bit differently than fiction book summaries. For plot-driven fiction, more of the story is given away. It is not uncommon even to give away some element of the ending of the book. Why? Because in nonfiction it is often the journey, not the beginning or the ending of a story that is worth reading. Take a look at the book summary examples for [*Alive by Piers Paul Read,*](https://www.amazon.com/Alive-Piers-Paul-Read/dp/0060778660?ref=brookevitale.com) published by HarperCollins and [*Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson*](https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537?ref=brookevitale.com), published by Simon and Schuster.

![Examples of back cover summaries for nonfiction books.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-book-back-cover-nonfiction-summary-examples.jpg)

*Alive* is a story-based nonfiction title, and as such it follows many of the same book summary rules as fiction. We learn that the protagonists are survivors of a plane crash. We learn that the problem they have is that they are stranded and need to find a way home. But what challenges stand in their way? That the book summary doesn't tell us. Why? Because that is at the heart of the story. Here, the reader is given the beginning and the ending. The plane crashes and sixteen survivors make it home. But what happens between point A and point B? That is what will make a reader pick up the book.

*Steve Jobs*, on the other hand, is a biography. And it can be assumed that any reader picking the book up has some familiarity with the subject. So rather than focus on the challenges Steve Jobs faced in his life, the book focuses on making the reader feel that they will get to know who Steve Jobs was as a person. It makes them feel a connection to him, and focuses on making it clear why this book above all others on the subject is *the* book to read. Unlike fiction, where every story is unique, there are often many nonfiction books published on the same subject. Setting one book apart from another—explaining why it is the best book on the topic—is the job of the back cover summary.

### How long should a book summary be?

A book summary varies in length, but ideally it shouldn’t be too long. For a children's book, try to keep it to 50 words or fewer. For chapter books, middle grade books, YA, and adult novels, try not to exceed 150-200 words. If you can’t boil your story down to something that short, chances are the story itself may be a bit too convoluted!

Do remember, a book summary and marketing materials are not the same. A book summary, especially in a picture book, speaks right to the child, while marketing materials will often speak to a parent, telling them what a child will get out of a book, or what the book teaches.

## 4\. Hook readers with a book teaser

A book teaser is a statement or question at the end of a book summary that aims to hook the reader. In the case of *Kill Shot*, it is the idea that there is nothing more dangerous that Mitch Rapp. That statement leaves readers wondering what this dangerous man will do.

But the teaser isn’t always a statement. It isn’t even always part of the book summary. One great way to draw a reader in is to pose a question the reader needs the answer to. It can be as simple as asking if something will happen, such as asking in [*Stuck Duck*](https://shop.chargemommybooks.com/products/stuck-duck?ref=brookevitale.com) whether Duck will ever find a way to get free. By asking such a question, you make the reader wonder—you set this idea in their mind that they can’t let go of until they get the answer.

Even better, set the stakes for the protagonist. Will he win in the end or will something else happen? Make a reader want to find the answer to that question, and they’re sure to open the book!

Whatever you do, don’t give away the ending of the book (unless it's nonfiction)!

### Selling books online

A book summary is important no matter where you are selling but selling online does change the game a bit. Online book sellers like Amazon only show the first few lines of your product description, so make sure your first sentence hooks the reader, making them want to hit the “more” button to read the rest!

The book summary for *Periwinkle Smith in Stuck Duck* is a great example. In addition to the book blurb, Amazon features the following line at the top of the product description:

> ***Turn a bad day good again with this rhyming picture book featuring seven pages of bonus literacy activities sure to grow your child's confidence and jumpstart their enthusiasm for reading.***

Here, the addition of a headline offers additional information about the book that serves as a key selling point: the fact that it comes with literacy activities. Many publisher set this headline in bold to draw a reader's attention.

It is interesting to note that, given the online market and the inability of a reader to see the full book, the product description here doesn’t match up with the book summary. The online description reads as follows:

> *Duck is having a good day. A great day, even! That is, until a horn falls out of a tree and lands on his head! Just like that, Duck’s day goes from good to bad as he struggles to find someone . . . anyone . . . who can help him get free. But can help be found, or is Duck doomed to be STUCK DUCK forever? This rhyming picture book is sure to leave everyone giggling over Duck's silly antics as he learns that even a bad day can turn good again, and it's okay to ask for help when help is needed.*

Here, the book summary has been enhanced, to further entice readers and play up the key selling points of the book. Remember, the goal of a book blurb isn’t to tell the story, it’s to draw readers in. So let a reader know what your book is about, then hook them and leave them wanting more!

But of course, a book back cover needs more than just a book summary. It also needs . . .

## 5\. Write a catchy author bio

An author bio should be a sentence or two at most. The author bio tells the reader what else the author has done or if this is an author's first book. If the author has some special qualification that makes them fit to write this book over other authors, this is a good place to mention that, too. If the book is quirky or funny, use this space to try to show that off!

Look at this author bio example from Ben Clanton’s [*Peanut Butter and Jelly (A Narwhal and Jelly book)*](https://www.amazon.com/Peanut-Butter-Jelly-Narwhal-Book/dp/0735262462?ref=brookevitale.com):

![An example of an author bio for a children's book](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-author-bio-example.jpg)

Here, the author bio not only serves to tell the reader what else the author has written and where to find his work, it also infuses humor, giving the reader an idea of what they can expect to find inside the book. Author bios should be factual, but they do not need to be dry. Spice them up with a bit of personality so that a reader feels like they are getting to know the author a bit.

> Note: while the book back cover is a great place to put this if you are working on a paperback or a book without a dust jacket, a book *with* a dust jacket usually lists the author bio on the inside back flap, while the book summary goes on the inside front flap.

[![What Is a Dust Jacket and Does a Hardcover Book Need One?](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/does-my-picture-book-need-a-jacket-cover.jpg)Related articleWhat Is a Dust Jacket and Does a Hardcover Book Need One?When it comes to children's book publishing, there are a lot of decisions to make. Not the least of which is whether print a children's book with a dust jacket. So, what are the benefits of a book jacket. What are the drawbacks. And at the end of the day, is a book jacket worth having? Ultimately, only you can answer that, but not without some extra information!Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/dust-jacket/) 

## 6\. Choose back cover design elements

### Book portfolio

If this is an author's first book, there won’t be anything to put here. But if an author has written other books, try showing off those book covers. Kids love looking at other book covers, and will often ask parents to buy other books they see. And parents like to know that an author has put out other books. It saves them the time of looking it up. This is true for middle grade, YA, and adult novels as well. Especially in the case of series books, showing off the covers of other books in the series can make it easier for readers to know what order to read in.

Check out this example of an author's book portfolio [*Twilight by Stephenie Meyer*](https://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849?ref=brookevitale.com).

![An example from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer of how to showcase other book covers on the back book cover.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-book-portfolio-example.jpg)

### Book reviews

Book reviews are endorsements of your book from reputable sources. This might be a book review from a prominent publication such as Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, or Publisher's Weekly. It might be a book review from a national or local newspaper or magazine. It could even be a testimonial from a celebrity. Of course, these kinds of book reviews aren't always easy to get. If you *can't* get a testimonial like this, try reaching out to fellow authors. Positive endorsements are a sign to the world that the book has been read—and enjoyed! One or two testimonials will go a long way toward making a book more appealing. Remember, book reviews for past books work well here, too, as it shows the author's previous works were good. If you have won a book award, include that on the book cover as well.

> *Note: If you get a starred book review, be sure to note that with the testimonial.*

### ISBN

**ISBN** means **International Standard Book Number**. This 13-digit number is the unique identifier tied to each and every book created. The ISBN helps to identify not only a book title, but book format (paperback, hardcover, eBook). 

[![What is an ISBN: Buy a Bowker ISBN or Use an Amazon ISBN?](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/how-do-i-get-an-isbn-cover.jpg)Related articleWhat is an ISBN: Buy a Bowker ISBN or Use an Amazon ISBN?A step-by-step guide to understanding what is an ISBN, the meaning of ISBN, how to purchase an ISBN, when to buy an ISBN, and why to buy a Bowker ISBN.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/what-is-an-isbn-on-a-book/) 

### Book barcode

A barcode is simply a visual representation of numbers associated with your book. A book barcode is a scannable version of the ISBN. Many large book retailers in the United States require barcodes with prices, as their price scanners cannot read barcodes without prices. While you’re at it, it’s not a bad idea to list the actual book price on your barcode so readers can easily find it. Take a look at the example below:

![A sample book barcode that shows the ISBN, ean code, bisac code, and book price. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-book-barcode.jpg)

Unless you plan to change the book price regularly, put the suggested retail price on the book back cover. If you’re publishing in multiple countries, you may want to list the book price for each country so that you can use the same back cover across all markets. 

[![What is a Book Barcode and How to get a Bookow Barcode?](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/book-barcode-cover.jpg)Related articleWhat is a Book Barcode and How to get a Bookow Barcode?A detailed look at book barcodes, including an explanation of Bookland barcode versus UPC number, barcode generators, and a barcode's placement on a book back cover.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/book-barcode/) 

### Colophon

A great added touch to a book back cover is a publishing company's colophon, or logo. Include on the book back cover and the spine of the book so the reader recognizes the book publisher. 

[![What Is a Colophon and How they Impact  Design and Marketing](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/what-is-a-colophon-cover.jpg)Related articleWhat Is a Colophon and How they Impact Design and MarketingA colophon is a logo that is usually printed on both a book's title page and spine so that reader can recognize a brand while searching bookshelves.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/what-is-a-colophon/) 

### Target market

Let the reader know who target audience is by listing an age range. This could say ages 3 and up, or it could say ages 3-7\. For a chapter book, the age range may be listed as 7-10\. But share this information so parents looking at the children's book have the information they need. The age range may be listed on the barcode, or may go on the top left corner of the back cover. 

[![Children's Book Target Audience: Age Range, Page Counts, & Themes](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/how-to-determine-your-audience-cover.jpg)Related articleChildren's Book Target Audience: Age Range, Page Counts, & ThemesWriting a children's book can be challenging, but so can figuring out which book format category it falls into. Is your book a picture book? An early reader? A chapter book? Figure it out with this easy-to-use cheat sheet!Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/childrens-book-target-audience/) 

If you are writing an early reader book or early chapter book and you have had the book leveled, either through Lexile leveling or Guided Reader leveling, include the Lexile level or guided reading level on the book back cover so that parents will know if it is right reading level for their child. This is especially important for early reader books, which are often selected by reading level. 

[![Leveled Readers: Early Reader Books for Emergent Readers](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/what-is-an-early-reader-cover.jpg)Related articleLeveled Readers: Early Reader Books for Emergent ReadersA guide to early reader books for emergent readers, Lexile Leveling and Guided Reader Leveling, and a list of the best early reader books for beginning readers.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/early-reader-books/) 

Include an author website here so that readers know how to find more of your books or any other material you are offering.

And finally, the back cover is a great place to list copyright for the cover design of your book. 

[![How To Create a Book Copyright Page (with Template)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/what-goes-on-my-copyright-page-cover.jpg)Related articleHow To Create a Book Copyright Page (with Template)Walk through every element of the copyright page with this 13-step guide, including a free copyright page template to make creating your own copyright page easy.Read the article →](https://brookevitale.com/blog/copyright-page-template/) 

### Cover art

The book back cover is a great place to show off an illustration. This could be an illustration that wraps around from the front of the book, so that when laid flat the book cover makes one full piece of art. Or it could be a spot illustration that sits on its own. If it’s an illustration that sits by itself, try grabbing an intriguing piece from the inside of the book. Repurposing an illustration will save you some money, but it will also draw the reader in because they’ll want to see what’s going on with that art. Here's a great book illustration example from [*Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise*](https://www.amazon.com/Mercy-Watson-Princess-Kate-DiCamillo/dp/0763649511?ref=brookevitale.com) by Kate DiCamillo.

![Book Back Cover Template | Book Back Cover Examples](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1024wjpeg_what-goes-on-my-back-cover-2.jpg)

### Book back cover design templates

The back cover of a book can be designed to include any of the elements discussed above, including the tagline, the book summary, book reviews, and the author bio. The way these elements lay out can be mixed and match depending on which is most important for marketing the book. Remember, we read from the top, so the most important element should go first. Below are several book back cover design templates to get you started in choosing how to lay out your back cover.

![Examples of different book back cover design layouts for all genres of books.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bb/ca/bbca9709-f64c-426c-94c5-41deebbf6557/content/images/2026/10/1080w-book-back-cover-design-template.jpg)

With all those elements in place, let the book design begin. Good luck, and remember, people do judge a book by the (back) cover, so make yours shine!