Project Focus: Small Square Books

POSTED ON Sep 1, 2009

Joel Friedlander

Written by Joel Friedlander

Home > Blog > The Joel Friedlander Archives > Project Focus: Small Square Books

For a while clients seemed to be asking for a lot of small, square books. I had done several of these and noticed some similarities in their design.

Some types of book are square to accommodate both horizontal and vertical subject matter. A good example is art books of all kinds, paintings, photographs, etchings all benefit from having a square frame in which to work.

But these were all nonfiction books, each with its own rationale.

Recently I was having lunch with a friend in the publishing business, and she noticed the covers I had just come from scanning.

“Look at all these little square books,” I said.

“Yes,” my friend replied.

“They are all by women authors. Don’t you think that’s interesting?” I probably looked a bit smug by this point.

“I like little square books,” she said.

Well, maybe you like them too. Here are the three books I had with me that day. Each cover solves the square cover problem differently:

Dear Diary by Sandi Redenbach

Sandi Redenbach wanted a cover that looked like her book title, a diary. The touch we added with the silver foil stamped “lock” put the finishing touches on an effective design for her story of recovery and hope. Here’s the next one:

IfYouReallyLovedMe.300

It’s clear that I was experimenting with Photoshop texture-mapped backgrounds, because here’s another one on Lori Gordon’s relationship book. Maybe the warm and fuzzy look will help some couples who buy it. Lastly,

HeartofTeaching.300

I think this cover combines the textures of the first two with some elegant typography to really communicate the author’s love of her profession, and signal a book that can inspire others. It’s my favorite of the small square books by women authors.

Do you have a similar book you’d like to publish?

Joel Friedlander

Written by
Joel Friedlander

Book Cover Design Checklist

Set your book up to SELL with our FREE Book Cover Design Checklist to boost the quality of your book to its very best!
Liked this post? Share it with friends!

More Helpful Articles