How To Create Cover Pages

genepool · 01-24-2011, 10:19 AM

Lulu.com has an excelent Cover Pages Designer.

Anything else?

Dr. Drib · 01-25-2011, 09:08 AM

Please note:

That site is a services and content website, and charges for those services and content.

Don
(Moderator)

Mayzshon · 01-25-2011, 07:21 PM

Well, for the print versions, I've used createspace's cover creator, all though the front covers, (which are also the covers for the e-book editions) I usually just make in Photoshop.

sportourer1 · 02-20-2011, 09:00 AM

How important are eBook covers?

Anke Wehner · 02-20-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportourer1

How important are eBook covers?

I don't recall coming across an ebook vendor that doesn't display cover thumbnails when they list search results, newest additions, whatever, so having a cover that in that context works as an eye-catcher is a big plus.

In addition to that, having a cover that looks... ineptly cobbled together in five minutes, or otherwise unprofessional, may lead people to assume the creator is sloppy and careless, and dismiss it.

I'm not entirely sure where "No cover at all" falls...

All in all, I think a cover that's at least *decent* quality is pretty important.

G J Lau · 02-20-2011, 01:28 PM

The issue of covers and designing them highlights the multiplicity of skill sets you need to be a self-publisher, something I have been learning the hard way these last few months. First you have to write and re-write and edit and polish. Then if you want to publish as an e-book you have to meticulously format it in ways that bear little resemblance to the requirements for submission to a conventional publishing house. Then you need to come up with a decent cover. Next is the marketing plan

All of this is doable, and it is doable at zero cost (not counting your own time). That's amazing when you think about it. But it is a lot of hard work, and if it means getting good at a lot of things you might not have thought when you started out.

As for the cover question, I think a good cover adds a sense of polish to your work.

mr ploppy · 02-20-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G J Lau

As for the cover question, I think a good cover adds a sense of polish to your work.

I like your image and choice of colours, but I think your text is too small. You can't really read it at postage stamp size, which is the size most people will judge it at when deciding whether to look at your description.

G J Lau · 02-20-2011, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the input. Actually the version on Amazon and Barnes and Noble does have a slightly bigger font for the title. My son did the design. You can learn all the tools but nothing replaces an artistic sensibility, which he has and I don't.

jrlewis · 02-20-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportourer1

How important are eBook covers?

Pretty important. The cover art still stands next to the book listing, catching eyes and giving a sense of the book's content and quality.

sportourer1 · 03-03-2011, 01:41 PM

What is the best web source for copyright free images?

jrlewis · 03-04-2011, 03:37 PM

You can get a lot of free content from Flickr Creative Commons using images that merely require attribution: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/by-2.0/

spaze · 03-05-2011, 01:17 AM

I just got information on how to submit my upcoming book to Ellibris.com database and they need cover page for their catalog listings.

In addition, first page of the book needs to be cover art as this is what is shown in ADE and other cataloging applications.

RVS78 · 03-05-2011, 07:42 PM

I have a background in graphic arts so I make my own covers using stock photos - I either pay for it or get royalty free. I tend to do 3 thumbnail sketches of what I want it to look like then narrow it down so by the time I get images I already know what I'm looking for. At least the theme and mood of it anyway. I use Photoshop.

*****

Bad Juju: Vol. 1 (dark fiction/horror story collection)
Amazon US| Amazon UK
Smashwords Author Page
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01-24-2011, 10:19 AM	#1
genepool Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: none	How To Create Cover Pages Lulu.com has an excelent Cover Pages Designer. Anything else?

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01-25-2011, 09:08 AM	#2
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,324 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Please note: That site is a services and content website, and charges for those services and content. Don (Moderator)

01-25-2011, 07:21 PM	#3
Mayzshon Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 490480 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: North Carolina Device: Kindle	Well, for the print versions, I've used createspace's cover creator, all though the front covers, (which are also the covers for the e-book editions) I usually just make in Photoshop.

02-20-2011, 09:00 AM	#4
sportourer1 Writer Posts: 117 Karma: 560236 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: London UK Device: none	How important are eBook covers?

02-20-2011, 01:28 PM	#6
G J Lau Zealot Posts: 126 Karma: 415116 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Frederick MD Device: Nook	The issue of covers and designing them highlights the multiplicity of skill sets you need to be a self-publisher, something I have been learning the hard way these last few months. First you have to write and re-write and edit and polish. Then if you want to publish as an e-book you have to meticulously format it in ways that bear little resemblance to the requirements for submission to a conventional publishing house. Then you need to come up with a decent cover. Next is the marketing plan All of this is doable, and it is doable at zero cost (not counting your own time). That's amazing when you think about it. But it is a lot of hard work, and if it means getting good at a lot of things you might not have thought when you started out. As for the cover question, I think a good cover adds a sense of polish to your work.

02-20-2011, 03:37 PM	#8
G J Lau Zealot Posts: 126 Karma: 415116 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Frederick MD Device: Nook	Thanks for the input. Actually the version on Amazon and Barnes and Noble does have a slightly bigger font for the title. My son did the design. You can learn all the tools but nothing replaces an artistic sensibility, which he has and I don't.

03-03-2011, 01:41 PM	#10
sportourer1 Writer Posts: 117 Karma: 560236 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: London UK Device: none	What is the best web source for copyright free images?

03-04-2011, 03:37 PM	#11
jrlewis SF/F Author Posts: 160 Karma: 349656 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Device: Adobe Digital Editions	You can get a lot of free content from Flickr Creative Commons using images that merely require attribution: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/by-2.0/

03-05-2011, 01:17 AM	#12
spaze Addict Posts: 265 Karma: 512072 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Helsinki, Finland Device: Writing my first short story: Guardian Angel	I just got information on how to submit my upcoming book to Ellibris.com database and they need cover page for their catalog listings. In addition, first page of the book needs to be cover art as this is what is shown in ADE and other cataloging applications.

03-05-2011, 07:42 PM	#13
RVS78 Letter Puncher Posts: 26 Karma: 500430 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Swallowed by another earth Device: android tablets	I have a background in graphic arts so I make my own covers using stock photos - I either pay for it or get royalty free. I tend to do 3 thumbnail sketches of what I want it to look like then narrow it down so by the time I get images I already know what I'm looking for. At least the theme and mood of it anyway. I use Photoshop. ***** Bad Juju: Vol. 1 (dark fiction/horror story collection) Amazon US\| Amazon UK Smashwords Author Page My blog