AI Book Cover Prompts
Cover concepts for self-published novels in every genre.
Self-publishing authors use AI to design eye-catching covers without hiring out the first draft. The formula: genre + central image + mood + 'book cover design, space at the top for title', in a vertical 2:3 ratio.
These prompts cover the best-selling genres. Copy one, tailor the imagery to your story, and generate. Add your title and author name afterward in a design tool for a polished, KDP-ready cover.
Best for: Midjourney, DALL-E 3, Stable Diffusion
Copy-paste Book Cover prompts
Fantasy book cover design, an ancient glowing sword embedded in a stone surrounded by mist and runes, epic, deep blue and gold, space at the top for title, vertical --ar 2:3Romance book cover, a couple silhouetted at sunset on a beach, warm golden tones, soft and dreamy, space at the top for title, vertical --ar 2:3Thriller book cover, a lone figure walking down a foggy alley at night, stark, high contrast, ominous, moody, space for title, vertical --ar 2:3Sci-fi book cover, a massive spaceship approaching a ringed planet, cosmic, dramatic lighting, cinematic, space at the top for title, vertical --ar 2:3Dark fantasy book cover, a crow perched on a skull crown in a dead forest, eerie, muted palette, atmospheric, space for title, vertical --ar 2:3Cozy mystery book cover, a quaint village bookshop with warm lights and autumn leaves, charming illustration, inviting, space for title, vertical --ar 2:3Historical fiction book cover, a lone figure in period dress overlooking a sweeping landscape, painterly, nostalgic, muted tones, space for title, vertical --ar 2:3Horror book cover, a creepy abandoned house under a blood-red moon, unsettling, dark, high contrast, space at the top for title, vertical --ar 2:3Young adult fantasy book cover, a teenage hero with glowing magic in their hands, vibrant, dynamic, bold colors, space for title, vertical --ar 2:3Literary fiction book cover, a single symbolic object like a paper boat on still water, minimalist, elegant, lots of negative space, vertical --ar 2:3Epic fantasy book cover, a vast castle on a mountain with dragons circling above, sweeping, dramatic light, deep colors, space for title, vertical --ar 2:3Contemporary romance book cover, a bright illustrated couple in a city cafe, cheerful, modern flat illustration, warm palette, space for title, vertical --ar 2:3Tips for better book cover results
- Use a 2:3 vertical ratio — the standard book-cover proportion for print and ebook.
- Genre signals matter: deep colors and runes for fantasy, soft and warm for romance, stark and moody for thriller.
- Leave room: 'space at the top for the title, bottom for author name'.
- Add your typography in Canva/Photoshop — don't rely on AI to spell the title.
- Keep one clear focal image; busy covers don't read as thumbnails on a store page.
Frequently asked questions
What's the right size for a book cover?
Use a 2:3 vertical ratio (e.g. 1600x2400 px for ebooks). It's the standard for Amazon KDP and most stores, and these prompts default to it.
Should the AI add the title text?
No. Generate clean artwork with empty space at the top and bottom, then add the title and author name in a design tool so the typography is crisp and correct.
Can I sell a book with an AI-designed cover?
Yes, KDP and most platforms allow it. Disclose AI use where required, make sure the art is original, and avoid copyrighted characters or trademarked imagery.