Arcanea Book Cover Design Skill

Generate premium book covers by thinking deeply about the book first, then translating that thinking into a precision image prompt. NB2 is default. NB Pro only when user specifies "premium" or "hero".

The 5-Phase Method

Do NOT skip phases. The thinking is the skill. The generation is the reward.

Phase 1: READ THE BOOK (or its architecture)

Before writing any prompt, you must understand:

1. Central tension — What does the protagonist fight against? What internal conflict mirrors the external?
2. Emotional register — Is this grief-heavy? Wonder-heavy? Dread-heavy? A dark comedy? Bittersweet? Name it precisely.
3. Iconic image — What ONE visual moment defines the book? The image a reader would tattoo on themselves.
4. Genre expectations vs subversion — What do readers of this genre expect? What should you give them, and what should you withhold?
5. Color emotional key — What color (singular) carries the book's feeling?

If the book has a book.yaml or outline, read them. If the book has existing chapters, read at least one opening and one pivotal scene.