DIY Book Covers

Looking at the range of free template some of these self publishing website's offer, makes me see how they get people to go for the fee option.


However, doing a little research myself, I have found that creating my own book cover doesn't mean I need to enrol in a graphic design course, have amazing computer skills or be a fantastic artist!


It just means I need to do my research on other book covers in my genre, which are already published and successful, have at least a few hours to play around in Photoshop or Fireworks, have a great eye catching image and some vision (plus a little patience!).


Using a template for my first women's fiction book, I was lucky as the free template I am using is exactly what I wanted for the theme of the book.

Editing the colours, the font type and adding my own image has allowed me to have a visually pleasing from cover, which will stand out from the competition and saved me a lot of time.


Now, that was great for the women's fiction book but when I looked at the options again, I realised I would need to create my own cover from scratch for the paranormal series, I am in the process of writing.


OK, so the standard book size in the industry is 5.5 x 8.5 and the average pages in a book of this size if 300 pages, therefore the dimensions would be (in this order):

• Back Cover - 5.5

• Spine - 0.75

• Front Cover - 5.5 

Therefore the equation would approximately be 5.5 + 0.75 + 5.5 x 8.5.

You need to allow 1/8 inch off all four sides for bleed.

The bleed is if you want any picture or border to go right up to the edge of the book, you need to provide a few mm extra and above your picture to avoid it being cut to the final size.


If you are working in Fireworks, your dimensions would approximately be:


1899 + 457 + 1899 x 2912 - with the 1/8 bleed


I have used the bleed as my images and borders do go to the edge of the book, however, if you have a simple cover with no borders and your image is central, then your calculation would be:


1688 + 406 + 1688 x 2588 - without the bleed


There are templates available and I have found one on CreateSpace, which you can download and use. Covert the mm into pixels if you are creating your cover in Photoshop or Fireworks. Here it is (I have cropped the excess page):

Hope this helps all my fellow authors!

Monthly Deals from Self Publishing Websites

I love to ask questions!


Especially if I am parting with money!


I want to know it all before I agree to anything and many times when a deal seems too good to be true it usually is!


I am in the final stages of publishing my first book and although I have done my own marketing, I am at the final stages of proof reading it (even though someone else has done this but I'm a perfectionist! It's my flaw! lol) and have created my own website, I still need a little help with the front cover, so I contacted a self publishing website to see what they do for the price they quote on there website as it is quite expensive (I think).


So, I emailed them and the answers were quite vague, so after approx three to four emails, I found that the same woman who was providing me with the information had changed her tone in the emails.

In the beginning, when I told her I was very interested, her emails were upbeat, friendly and quite informative, whilst also giving my the sale speech.


However, the last two emails were quite diluted, they went back to being vague and in the beginning she used to send a reply straight away, however the second to last reply was a few days late and I am still waiting for my last reply.


I am slightly nervous to spend over £100 for someone to tweak my front and back cover as I have done most of the work myself and I am still unsure on how they justify there fees.


I am going to go onto their forums to speak to some other users of this site, however I have learnt that when they want your money and think your interested they are very quick to keep in contact and give you all the information about these fantastic deals they have, however, when you want to delve deeper it's slightly disturbing that they go quiet like there is something to hide.


Just a thought!

Book Cover Tips For Your Self Published Book

I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but if your book cover isn't eye catching and stands out from the competition, then you may as well wave goodbye to any profits you hoped you'd make.

Here are some DIY tips that all self published authors should think about when planning a fantastic book cover for their masterpieces:

1. Create a concept cover

A concept cover will speak your message in volumes. Choose one main concept that explains, in a very short story, what your book is about. It is a well known designing principle to choose one element to build your entire design around. For example, one of my favourite books has the key word hysteria in its core message. To express the hysteria the book was explaining, a suburban American neighbour with people screaming and aliens invading the calm, robotic nature of the neighbour was pictured in cover design.

2. Learn the basics of design 

Learn the basics of good design. It always good to know the basics as you can always develop your knowledge if you need to. When creating your book cover, always use the theory that less is more. Do not overload your book cover as it may make it look messy and put potential readers off wanting to go further and actually read your book. Also, you may dilute the expression of your message if you try to put too may elements on your cover. Even too many different fonts or colour will dilute your message.

3. Consider a book cover template 

I love templates. I enjoy getting a jumpstart on all my writing projects, if possible. Many self publishing websites and specialised websites have book cover templates and I urge you to research some to save yourself some time. I am going to be using one with the self publishing website I have chosen to publish my book through as I have looked at the templates and have a handful of a few for my short-list. 

4. Consider book cover design software 

There are lots of design software on the market. But for me, I can only recommend two Adobe Photoshop and Book Cover Pro software (as a cheaper option). With Photoshop the price is not the only thing that’s high. You need to have a few lessons at using this software as it can be a little difficult to try to work it in just one attempt. If you have the patience, interest, time and money to invest, I encourage you to take a class to get started. For the DIY people on a budget, you can teach yourself. Look for good online tutorials and courses to learn from. Also, start a sample file. Every good design that I see, I take notes and try to examine the techniques and elements involved. Then practice and practice some more to develop your skills.

5. Invest in quality photos 

If you are not an illustrator or can’t afford to hire one, you can start with a high quality photo to help speak your book’s core message. Sometimes, if this is matched well, the photo can carry the whole design in expressing your message. If done well, all other elements like font, colour design become secondary or complementary. One of my favourite photo depositories is Shutterstock.com 

6. Use complementary fonts 

Invest in a good quality font. You will discover even if you manage to do all the other parts of your cover design well and do not concentrate on your fonts (type) your design will fall short. Research what fonts are considered display and even good cover fonts. There are lots of free options to start with. 

7. Use your highest talents and haggle the rest 

As a self publisher, you might be tempted to do every thing yourself to save every penny. If you’re there, that’s o.k. too. But I encourage you to not stay there. If cover design is truly not your interest or you are ready to outsource to a cover artist, take the leap. Use your gifts and talents at their highest capacity and outsource the rest. You will discover success much faster than trying to go it alone. One strategy is to save and when you’re ready invest in your cover design. Or use one of my consistent shoe-string budget tips of going to a community college and looking for a budding artist anxious to practice their considerable skills at a bargain.

Now what to do? 

Now, go ahead and make that eye catching book cover for your novel! Don’t delay any longer. Covers still sell books, even self published ones. Give your self published book the greatest chance for success in the marketplace with a beautiful cover. Take the DIY book cover design tips above and give your book a selling chance. Good luck Publishing!

Book Cover Design Packages

Before I go and stuff myself with Easter Eggs and feel guilty when I go on the scales next week pretending that I really don't know where them extra pounds came from...I thought I would quickly write about a topic that has always baffled me with the self publishing world.

Ok, so I have some experience with graphic design (but only a little) but when researching the best self publishing website to publish my book with, I have noticed that most (if not all) offer a, 'Book Cover Design' service for a fee.


Looking into these packages, I didn't see many examples of how different they make the front cover look compared to one that had been made by an author.


Many of the packages I researched ranged from $130 - £500, and in all honesty I could not see how these prices justified the lack of time it would have taken them to create this piece of work.


I have decided to create my own front cover by using Photoshop, making sure I have checked the dimensions required from the site I will be selling my book from, using Shutterstock to get the images I need and using family and friends to check each design draft to make improvements if needed.


It seems like the cheaper and more rewarding way of making sure I have the front cover which reflects my book and myself.

Literary Agent's Contradiction!

As a new writer, I find it unbelievable that every literary agency only advertises for experienced writers!


Like I was 15 yrs old looking for my first Saturday job, I got more and more frustrated being knocked back from each retailer due to having no experience.
However, when and how do you get the break? 

After many knock backs, I realised I needed a new approach and was advised to go down the 'Self Publishing' route.


Obviously, I would be much happier having an agent as I would receive a lot more publicity, the marketing would be taken away from me and I would be free, in general, to just concentrate on what I love...writing!


Researching a few 'Self Publishing Website's' I agree, these are great options for new writers to get their work published and out to the world, however, the free services compared to the 'small fee' services differ greatly.


I have realised that unless you have your own proof reader, a decent cover designer and have created a basics, marketing plan yourself (a website, blog, advertising in forums for your genre of book, on social networking site, etc.), these 'small fees' will add up to be huge fees and you need to think objectively to judge whether you think your work will make this money back in the time frame you want.