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II. Publishing & Marketing Tips > Is it okay for my books from the same series to have two different covers?

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message 1: by Trisha (new)

Trisha Shaw | 3 comments I’m currently working on a duology series of books and said books will be in the same universe but will focus on a different group of characters for said books (I.e the Discworld books).

Now here’s my problem, there’s a very high chance that the books in the series are going to have vastly different covers. This is because the first one will just a random little cover I’m currently having commissioned and the second one will be by the person who that book is dedicated to.

Is this professional/okay? And will it confuse other people if they decide to pick up my series? I just REALLY want my friend to do the next cover for my project without looking like a fool.


message 2: by [deleted user] (new)

Ninja wrote: "I’m currently working on a duology series of books and said books will be in the same universe but will focus on a different group of characters for said books (I.e the Discworld books).

Now here’..."


Ninja, it is perfectly okay and normal to have different covers for books in a series. I myself have written many long book series and not one had the same cover. The important thing is to have a cover that reflects the story or at the least the kind of story your book wants to tell, so that the readers could have at once an idea about what your book is about.


message 3: by Mellie (new)

Mellie (mellie42) | 644 comments If they are in a series they should be clearly connected. They don’t have to be exactly the same, but should have same fonts, layout, and a similar feel. You want readers to be able to know at a glance that they are related books.


message 4: by Ann (last edited Dec 15, 2022 05:40PM) (new)

Ann Crystal (pagesbycrystal) | 51 comments Based on the multiple series I have read over the years...each book in a series have always had different covers art and their own title...what seems (an easy way) to connect books in a series is a subtitle (you will have to research the correct name for it, I call it the subtitle).

Example,

One of my favorite fantasies is The Old Kingdom (aka Abhorsen) series.

Each Book in the series has their own title and cover art that respects their part in the series.

All books have the Author's Name.

And while I don't believe these books use a subtitle, one could be added somewhere on the cover (e.g. A Part of the The Old Kingdom series).

If I'm correct, this is something series in the mystery genre often use.

Research this further, I'm writing this suggestion from a fan (of series) prospective not as a professional editor or publisher. Although, I do plan to use this for my own series one day.

Kind Regards.


message 5: by Ann (last edited Dec 14, 2022 11:36AM) (new)

Ann Crystal (pagesbycrystal) | 51 comments P.S. The Sweep series by Cate Tiernan or the Chronicles of the Necromancer by Gail Z Martin may be better examples over the Old Kingdom series. I believe these books use the subtitle I was referring to (in two different ways).


message 6: by Shae (new)

Shae Coon (shaecoon) | 13 comments Yes, just make them the same "theme" and matching spines if you can. I design covers so it's the norm


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