Does an author have control on how their book cover will look like?

S

Such Great Heights

New member
I'm only about 1/4 done with my novel, but I have the cover in my head and there's a program that lets you design your own book cover. If I get an agent will I have control on how the book cover looks like?
 
The choice of bookcover is usually done by the publishers, some of whom have their own graphical design unit. Naturally they come up with covers which are intended to make people want to read the book.

Sometimes an author can refuse a bookcover if they really dislike it for some reason, and the publishers then offer another cover, but I haven't heard of an author having control of covers.

You can certainly suggest your own cover, but if it is seen as too weird/boring/unappealing etc. then it probably won't get chosen.
 
Control? No. Input? Yes. If the publisher thinks it's a great idea, why wouldn't they use it? If they don't like it, you're sunk. It's most unlikely they will take some amateur cover you stuck together using a computer program, though.
 
you can see if they like it, but in the end, final word goes to the publisher, since they're the ones investing capital in your book. they may even change your title if they think it'll market better
 
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