Should you focus more on writing or design? It’s a big one, and honestly, there’s no single right answer. It really depends on what kind of book you’re working on, your audience, and your goals. But let’s break it down so you can figure out what’s best for your project.
First off, let’s get one thing clear: writing is always the foundation. No matter how beautiful your book looks, if the writing isn’t solid, readers aren’t going to stick around. The story, the content, the message—whatever it is you’re trying to convey—comes first. You could have the most eye-catching cover in the world, but if the writing doesn’t hold up, the reader’s going to lose interest pretty quickly.
For fiction writers, the plot, characters, dialogue, and pacing are the most important pieces of the puzzle. For non-fiction writers, it’s about having clear, well-researched content that delivers on its promise. So, when you’re just getting started, your focus should definitely be on the writing. Get your story or message down first. A lot of people get so caught up in how the book will look that they lose sight of what the book is actually about. That said, once the writing is in a good place, design comes into play in a major way.
Now, let’s talk about why design matters—and it really does. Design is what gets people to stop, look, and pick up your book in the first place. It’s your first opportunity to make an impression, to communicate the vibe or genre of your book without them reading a single word. In that sense, design is an incredibly powerful tool.
So, if you’re self-publishing or even pitching to agents or publishers, having a strong design can be a huge advantage. It tells people that you’ve taken the time to think about the full package. You care about the experience the reader is going to have, from the moment they lay eyes on the cover to the last page. In today’s crowded market, that’s no small thing.
Here’s the thing: writing and design feed off each other. They’re not isolated elements. Good writing deserves good design, and good design elevates good writing. You don’t have to think of them as competing priorities. Ideally, they work together. For example, if you’ve written a children’s book, the design can enhance the storytelling through illustrations, colors, and typography that matches the tone of the story. In non-fiction, well-designed charts, infographics, or pull quotes can help clarify and emphasize key points.
In fact, when done right, design can actually help communicate your writing more effectively. If your book is instructional, a clean and organized layout helps the reader follow along without getting overwhelmed. If your book is more narrative-driven, a thoughtful use of fonts and spacing can subtly guide the reader’s pacing, making certain moments more impactful.
So how do you know when to focus more on design? Well, let’s talk about different types of books and how the balance between writing and design can shift.
If you’re writing a novel, the weight is definitely more on the writing side. Your readers are there for the story, the characters, the world you’re building. But, even in fiction, don’t underestimate the power of a great cover design. Especially if you’re self-publishing, a professional-looking cover is crucial. People do judge books by their covers, and if your design looks amateurish, some readers might pass it by, assuming the writing will be of the same quality.
But once you get beyond the cover, the design becomes less important. Sure, you want readable fonts and clean layouts, but the words are what matter most. You don’t need illustrations or fancy chapter headings—just a great story. That’s why, in the case of fiction, writing should be your main focus, but don’t totally neglect design. A well-designed cover can help sell your book, while a poorly designed one can make it harder to get noticed.
On the other hand, if you’re working on a non-fiction book, the balance between writing and design can be a bit more even. In many cases, design can make your content clearer, easier to digest, and more engaging. If you’re writing a book on personal finance, for example, having clean, easy-to-understand charts or infographics is key. If you’re writing a cookbook, beautiful photography and well-designed layouts are crucial to the reader’s experience.
In these cases, design plays a supporting role, but it’s an important one. The writing still needs to be solid—your recipes need to work, your advice needs to be actionable—but the design helps communicate that writing more effectively.
If you’re creating something like a children’s book, then honestly, design is probably just as important as the writing, if not more so. Kids are visual creatures. They’re drawn in by bright colors, fun characters, and imaginative illustrations. Of course, the story needs to be good, but if the design doesn’t grab their attention, they’re not even going to open the book. In this case, design and writing go hand-in-hand, and you can’t afford to skimp on either.
Let’s not forget about e-books and online content. Here, design can make a huge difference. When people are reading on a screen, they don’t want to be met with walls of text. Spacing, font size, headings, and visuals all help break up the content and make it more digestible. If you’re self-publishing an e-book, keep in mind that the design needs to work on multiple devices—everything from smartphones to tablets. So, while the writing is still the foundation, design plays a bigger role in the digital space.
Another thing to consider is your audience. If you’re writing for a more casual, mainstream audience, design may be more important. Readers in these markets often expect polished, professional-looking books. But if you’re writing something more niche, like academic or literary fiction, the focus is usually more on the content itself. In those cases, while a clean design is still important, the writing will do more of the heavy lifting.
So, should you focus more on writing or design? The answer depends on your project. For most books, the writing is where you should invest the majority of your time and effort. That’s the heart of your book, and no amount of design will save bad writing. But don’t overlook design either. It can help you sell your book, make it more engaging, and even enhance the way your story or message is received.
At the end of the day, both writing and design matter. They’re two sides of the same coin, and when they work together, that’s when the magic happens. So, focus on the writing first, but when you’re ready, give your book the design it deserves.
