After the Photoshoot Edition of The Book Report, several of you wrote back asking the same question: Should I put my face on my book cover? This great debate is more than a design decision. It's a markerting decision. It’s visual storytelling that sells your message before a single word is read.
Your cover is your book's first impression and silent elevator pitch. Get it right, and it becomes a brand asset that opens doors. Get it wrong, and it gets overlooked before anyone turns the first page.
In this mini edition, we’re breaking down three bold covers that were designed to attract the right reader in its own unique way. They are a great reminder that there is no one size fit all answer. At the end of the day, the real question isn’t “Should your face be on the cover?”
It’s “What story are you telling, and what’s the boldest way to tell it so it connects with YOUR audience and YOUR book's purpose?” Read on and let’s look at what works, what doesn’t, and how to make sure your cover earns the double take it deserves. |
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ROXY NAFOUSI — MANIFEST
For the minimalist. The message-first visionary.
This cover proves that less can be more. Roxy knows who she is and she knows her reader. She wanted her book to be a statement piece and to have the same feel of a coffee table book and she accomplished that. Everything from the cover to the color to the texture to the interior design, it all came together to create a powerful brand asset that launched her brand and resulted in four additional books, each following the same strategy. Make no mistake, minimalist doesn't mean boring or forgettable.
When to use this move: This is a powerful strategy for authors who want the book to live beyond them and who are building a platform around ideas instead of identity. Ask yourself: Would the message still resonate if no one knew who wrote it? |
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Sarah Jakes Roberts – Power Moves
For the personal brand builder. The face is the invitation.
With Sarah, her face is the brand, her name is her credibility, and she's leveraged both. She lets her presence do the heavy lifting, and it works. The reader likely already knows her, trusts her, or wants to be mentored by her. But this isn't the right move for everyone. This is for authors whose presence is part of the promise, especially if your audience that already sees you as a guide. PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Sarah's books are powerful and personal. But in Women Evolve: The Journal, her face appeared so frequently that it felt less like a reflection space and more like a magazine. Personally, it didn't leave much room to breathe. If you choose to feature your photo throughout the book, make sure your presence supports the reader without taking up space they were meant to fill.
When to USE this move: This is your move if you are leading with story or already have an audience who sees you as the guide and/or the message. It works best if your face already carries weight.
Ask yourself: Does your face strengthen the message or distract from it?
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PINKY COLE – I HOPE YOU FAIL
For the disruptor who refuses to choose between being seen and being heard. This is a hybrid cover doesn't rely on a face to makes a statement. The design is layered, the energy is bold, and the title still holds its own. The result? A book that looks like her but speaks to you.
And when you turn the book to the back, you get a full page portrait with a simple quote. This is not a picture from her iPhone. (Did you catch the branding on her shirt?) This shows you can be present without being the whole story.
When to borrow this move: If your book's power is in the message itself, this is the move for you. It's a bold strategy that demands attention.
Ask yourself: How can you show up without taking over?
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These three covers couldn’t be more different, but they have one thing in common: intentionality.
They are each positioned for impact.
At Unapologetic Press, we believe your cover isn’t just a design choice, it’s a strategic decision that sets the tone for your entire book’s success. The right choice is not about ego. It all comes down to strategy.
Here are three questions to keep in mind: - Do your followers already know your face?
- Is your name more recognizable than your message?
- Would a photo limit or elevate the book's appeal?
Your book has work to do. So position it like it matters. Because it does.
And if your face makes the cover, make it count with a professional photo. ;)
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Stay Bold,
Val
Editor, The Book Report, Creative Intelligence for Bold Authors Founder, Unapologetic Press, Publishing House for the Bold |
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P.S. Don't miss the next edition of The Book Report. If this was forwarded to you, subscribe at unapologeticpress.com/report and get it straight from the source. |
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Need help deciding if your face belongs on the cover? Let's talk. Book a Discovery call and let's build a book that reflects your boldest message. |
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New York, NY -, United States |
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