Designing Book Covers / Cover Art

[Keith .]

My niece is writing a novel for her Senior (high school) project. Could anyone offer links or info on designing the cover? She plans on using Lulu but I think can choose her own epub if she wishes. Any info or advice would be appreciated.

[Jena Grace]

Hurray for your niece!

Has she considered taking a photograph for the cover? Just curious, because I have a friend who self-pubbed 3 novels and used her own photography for the covers, which looks very professional (unlike the pasted-together clip art I so often see).

[Keith .]

Do those sites have templates for you to cut and paste?

[Jena Grace]

Now that, I have no idea. She published with a POD outfit, not an e-pub.

[Arden Leighton]

Tell her to check out www.inkpop.com It's a great writing site for teens and they're all super crazy about designing covers over there. If anyone can give her great suggestions, it'll be them.

[Keith .]

Thanks! Jenna, I'm not sure what she's doing and frankly doubt she does either. If she's just making a book for a school project where should she go? Again, thanks for any and all suggestions!

[Jena Grace]

Can't you just run off and bind at copy at Kinko's?

[Jena Grace]

Um, does Kinko's still exist...?

[Keith .]

IDK. That would work as long as she doesn't need to send copies to judges.

I seem to remember it being called FedEx Kinkos at one time. Maybe just FedEx now.

[Avonne Writer]

I found this site... it has stock photos free for the using. Though, from everything I read, I wouldn't use any with people/models in them as the person uploading is supposed to get a model release, but not all do. So, you could end up with a sticky situation. Otherwise, the photos are copyright free.

http://www.sxc.hu/

It took me a day before getting my email confirmation link. So, prepare early.

Best of luck to your niece. It's a fascinating site to explore. btw