I've created my own book cover and would appreciate any and all feedback. It was done using Word 365 with images taken from Pixabay. The book is dark fantasy/horror, but does this cover convey that genre sufficiently, and is it eyepopping enough to grab your attention? Many thanks V.
Viridian, The cover doesn't really work for me. I could not tell the genre, either by the images or by the title. If it were to be shrunk down to a thumbnail size, the hat and shadow might suggest a western. I don't think it would grab attention if lined up with other dark fantasy/horror covers. I am not an artist, or cover artist, so I am not really the best one to make suggestions on how to modify the cover to improve it. I can just offer my observation.
Thanks @TWErvin2. I have a similar version with a more gothic red background (attached), but I can't help but think there's something missing from each of them. Perhaps back to the drawing board.
Viridian—it looks like what it is, a home made cover. It doesn’t convey the genre and it also doesn’t convey a professional product. I think it is worth investing in a cover if you’re serious about selling the book.
No worries. I agree, it’s no good. Trying out a few ideas at moment. Not against hiring someone, just a time factor. I’m getting better, but need more practice. Thanks all
I design my own front covers. but it is mostly just for me as a visual aid. Something to give me a mood when I load up my projects. When it comes to me making my first publication I would definitely want to put more thought in it before I add my own art. Don't stop trying though, Sounds like a dream to use your own art for your own book.
Best of luck with it! I tried some cover design myself, and I just don't have the skill for it. Nothing came out looking like something you'd want to buy.
I'd suggest looking up your genre on amazon and right clicking a bunch of covers to make yourself a mood board of the sort of thing you're aiming for ... that aside if money is the issue I'd suggest looking at premade covers sites like the bookcoverdesigner and goonwrite https://thebookcoverdesigner.com/product-category/premade-book-covers/horror/ http://www.goonwrite.com/book-covers-horror_pre-made.htm
Ive been checking out best sellers in my genre and made a few draft covers. One looks too horror, another too YA, but the one I’m doing now is looking good. Difficult to get the right mix for dark fantasy. It’s not high fantasy (not yet anyway - further in the series it will be) but needs to indicate it is fantasy and have a moody/paranormal feel. Think i may have cracked it but still needs work. Not opposed to paying for a cover, just left it too late. Looked at the pre-made ones too and some are pretty good, so that’s still an option.
Quite a bit better. Your image isn't the highest resolution so I can't get a complete sense of it, but I think it looks pretty good.
Yeah, it wouldn't let me upload the file (too big), so had to condense and do a screen shot. Still got a bit of fiddling, but I'm quite happy with this one.
Text gets lost in the background, especially the name. Also the horizontal lines of the text box looks wrong. The generic image is ok, but the text still needs some work.
I agree. Still working on a font for the name that stands out without looking tacky. Noticed the shadow effect on the text boxes too - think I may have done something with the fill - will check it out. Thanks
Definitely making progress, I like the new cover, gives you more of a feel and it is more in keeping with the genre. Shame it was left to the last minute. It seems to me, as soon as you put more time and effort into the cover you go from strength to strength. next book, plan some more time for yourself and I am sure you would come up with an amazing cover
Thank you @LostArtist. I've since changed the background (not too dissimilar - but works better) and made the above changes as suggested by Selbbin and I'm super pleased with the result. It helps that I found a tutorial on how to do it in Word. Because I already use Word it was easy to find my feet. I have Gimp, and did start learning the basic skills, but again, it's that time thing, and Gimp is pretty complicated (for me anyway). Next book in the series I will definitely be more prepared.
Many talented people on here. Check out this one- [link deleted]This guy only charges 100$ Canadian which is approximately 75 US. You pay on paypal -[link deleted] I was so impressed big time cause he sent me the pdf to approve within 24 hours. All I did was send him a few ideas and a few similar pics from google images just to give him an idea. Oh and the book description. I love it! I've done my own before and now I'm gonna replace all the ones I did myself. I thought I would post his email. I'm not sure if we are allowed to do this.
Normally we delete the spam posts but i left this one with its details deleted to illustrate the point I'm about to make... please don't hire anyone on the recommendation of someone who drives by plugging the skills of a alleged third party with their first post Also $75 for a bespoke cover is very cheap... you can pay more than that for a premade.. for a cover and a description its is insanely cheap, and with a turn round in 24 hours ?? please bear in mind that deals that look too good to be true usually are (also the link before i deleted it was to the sci fi classic the Chrysalids by John Wyndham... I'm fairly certain John Wyndham isn't wandering writing forums giving cover artist recommendations, mostly because he died in 1969)
Nothing puts me off SP books more than the covers. They're god-awful most of the time, and I'm afraid the first two examples are no exception. The third is infinitely better but still shouts 'Self-published, cover-done-by author-in-Paint.' There's a reason graphic design is a profession.
