For authors · Book covers
Book cover test: which cover would readers pick?
Run a book cover test before you print or upload the final jacket. If you have ever asked friends to “rate my book cover”, an outside choice can give you a less familiar reading. First answers are aimed for about 15 minutes in UK daytime; replies may take longer for now.
We review requests by hand.
Rate my book cover: useful questions
Start with the promise each cover makes about the story. A useful question checks whether a first-time viewer expects the genre you have written:
- Example: Ember Books asks which cover for The Quiet Year by Maya Ellis people would pick up: A, an oil-painted coastal house, or B, a night photograph with one lit window.
- What kind of story does this cover suggest at first glance?
- How readable is the title at thumbnail size, from 1 to 5?
What the book cover test returns
Illustrative result: Example: B receives 14 of 20 picks and A six. Reasons point to B’s lit window and darker mood as signals of mystery; A feels quieter. The next choice is not simply “use B”: check whether mystery is the promise the book can keep. If the genre is gentler, a cover that wins the pick might still mislead readers.
How to test two covers fairly
Place the two alternatives side by side in one image, then check that each title is legible at online-shop thumbnail size. Ask one neutral question and choose a pool of 5 to 50 UK adults. Members pick without seeing the other votes. Read the reasons beside the split, then revise the cover if the genre message is wrong.
The Ask hub covers other formats.
How to choose a book cover from the responses
People who have worked on the cover know the plot and may fill in information missing from the image. A first-time viewer will not. Ask what book they expect before revealing the actual genre, so you can spot a mismatch.
Honest limit: Current members are a mixed group of UK adults, not readers selected for your genre. A stated pick does not predict sales. This is also two covers for the same book; do not compare different titles and call it a cover test.
What it costs
Asking is free during early access, by invitation. At paid launch a quick take starts from 30p an answer plus 50p a question (launch example); 20 quick takes would come to about £6.50. You see the quote before asking.
Your questions, answered
How do I test a book cover?
Export two alternatives for the same book, show them at comparable size and ask which a stranger would pick up. Then ask what kind of book each suggests. The genre answer can matter more than a narrow preference win.
Where can I get my book cover rated?
You can ask your own readers, a critique group or an outside panel. PennyForYours gives a quick response from verified UK adults, with a pick and a reason. It does not provide a professional publishing review or a genre-targeted reader panel.
How do I choose between two book covers?
Start with the promise each cover makes. In the illustrative The Quiet Year test, B gets more picks and suggests mystery. If that fits the book, B is worth refining. If not, change the design rather than treating the vote as a verdict.
Can I test my blurb as well?
Yes, if it fits a short text prompt of up to 280 characters, or you can upload a screenshot. Ask one question about clarity or expectation. A full blurb critique and longer written response are planned for later.
Can I target readers of my genre?
Not yet. The current pool is verified adults in the UK without genre targeting. Use the result for a fresh first-impression check, and validate a final cover with readers who know the category.
How much does this test cost?
During invitation-only early access, asking is free. At paid launch, the example rate is 30p per answer plus 50p per question, so 20 answers would be about £6.50. You see the quote before posting. Two cover versions for the same book can go in one question. Testing a revised jacket later needs another question.
Find out what people really think.
Free during early access. No card needed.
Free during early access. We review requests by hand. Have an invite code? Join