For the past few years, Southlands Arts have run an annual writing competition — a brilliant showcase of local writing talent that brings together voices from across the community. From the very beginning, there was always a dream attached to it: to turn those entries into a real, hold-in-your-hands book. Something the writers could keep, share, and be proud of. Something their friends, families, and soon-to-be fans could buy and enjoy.

But as anyone who’s worked with small charities knows, dreams and budgets don’t always align. The funds just weren’t there to make it happen.

That’s where we came in.

As a small independent publisher, we know better than most how much it means to see your words in print. So we stepped in to produce the anthology, bringing together the competition entries into a beautifully finished book. Now the writers have a lasting memento of their achievement — and Southlands Arts can put the proceeds straight back into the prize fund for next year’s competition.

We’re proud to unveil the Southlands Arts Anthology of the 2025 Writing Competition.

Picking up a copy doesn’t just give you a great read. It supports a community arts centre doing vital work, and it helps ensure this writing competition can continue to celebrate local talent for years to come.

We can’t wait for you to read it.

The post From Competition to Cover: The Southlands Arts Writing Anthology 2025 appeared first on Kite Tangle.

The Experiment: Original Vs Redesigned

The unique experiment involved rebranding the covers of seven self-published books spanning various genres. Each book was assigned to a designer experienced in the specific genre, who then created a cover reflective of the target audience’s preferences. These new covers were tested against the original ones on popular book advertising platforms like BookBub and Facebook.

Methodology

The approach was straightforward yet effective. Two ads were run for each book over a week, identical in every aspect except for the cover image. Each ad variant reached over 1,000 users from a consistent audience set. This A/B testing method provided a clear comparison of the effectiveness of the original and redesigned covers in attracting potential readers.

Results

The results were telling. Except for one case, every redesigned cover significantly increased the click rates compared to the original. In one remarkable instance, the new cover design brought in almost three times as many clicks as the old one. This substantial increase in engagement demonstrates the influence of a cover’s visual appeal on a reader’s decision to explore a book further.

If we are honest with ourselves, we know that when we walk into a bookshop, the cover makes us pick up a book and read the back.

Implications

These findings have profound implications for self-published authors and the publishing industry. The experiment confirms that a cover design that resonates with the target audience can significantly impact a book’s visibility and sales. A 20% increase in attractiveness at various sales stages – from ads to appearances on search results pages – can compound over time, substantially affecting overall sales.

So, really think about the packaging of the product you are about to release into the world.

Conclusion

The experiment highlights the importance of professional and audience-targeted cover designs in marketing and selling books. While the content of a book remains paramount, its cover serves as a crucial gateway to attract potential readers. In the competitive world of book sales, dismissing the impact of a book cover could be a costly oversight. This study serves as a wake-up call: judging a book by its cover is not just a reality but a strategy that can significantly influence a book’s market success.

Partner with Us for Your Publishing Success

We invite you to contact us if you’re seeking a publishing partner or require assistance designing a standout book cover. Our team boasts fantastic designers who are ready to collaborate with you. We understand a captivating cover’s critical role in a book’s success. We are committed to helping you create a design that reflects your vision and resonates with your target audience. Let us be a part of your journey to bring your literary work to the forefront of the market.

If you have an idea of the market for your book, that’s great; we can start there. Otherwise, our team will deep dive into the book and determine what kind of cover will elevate it, help with sales, and reach your intended audience and future fans!

Our Comprehensive Publishing Services

At Kite Tangle, we offer a range of specialised services tailored to meet the diverse needs of authors and publishers:

Book Cover Design: Our expert designers craft visually stunning covers that capture the essence of your book, ensuring it stands out in a crowded marketplace.

Book Cover Illustration: We provide bespoke illustrations for your book cover, bringing your story’s theme and mood to life through art.

Character Design: For authors who need vivid character representations, our artists excel in creating compelling and memorable character designs that resonate with readers.

Concept Art: We help authors visualise their ideas with striking concept art, aiding in the development of a unique aesthetic for their book.

Title Design and Typography: Beyond the imagery – the title design and typography are crucial. Our team specialises in creating engaging title designs that harmonise with your book’s overall look and feel, ensuring the typography complements the cover’s visual elements – even if it means designing custom fonts and typefaces.

By offering these comprehensive services, we aim to equip authors and publishers with all the tools necessary for a successful book launch. Whether it’s creating an eye-catching cover or designing unique characters and concepts, our goal is to enhance the visual appeal of your book and make it appealing to your target audience.

The post Debunking the Myth: Better Book Covers Lead to Better Sales appeared first on Kite Tangle.