Writers who are not really artists how did you create your covers?

[Taggzer]

This topic is specifically for those who are artistically challenged but it would also be much appreciated if actual artists could give tips on how we could improve.

In looking at the cover for my novel is it worth reading? Would you be intrigued by it?

Feel free to share your own covers, maybe we could find a way to cover for our shortcomings together...

[vapidink]

That looks nice, but it feels more like an illustration you'd put in the book. For covers, it's usually better to show your characters. Faces draw readers in, especially on a site like Tapas, but I've heard that advice even on sites like Wattpad where there are no comics. Otherwise, I'd recommend typographic book covers, but yeah, ones with characters on them do better.

You could try Canva. They have some good free resources, and you can upload some images for your covers, just make sure you're using royalty free pics. If you really want a drawn cover, but really can't draw at all, then it's best to commission one.

[Inspector]

I use a site called "Visme" (it's like Canva, but it has a lot more book cover templates)
Here are some examples if mine:



And this is one I'm thinking of using for the future

If you ever need help with covers, I'm always available

[cherrystark]

The concept of your image is fine. It needs more shading and contouring because right now, it looks like a mix between a child's drawing and a PBS Kids special. If you drew the picture, I encourage you to keep practicing, you have potential. If you aren't in love with the picture, Canva is a good resource to make easy covers, but those also take practice to make a cover that isn't just slapping wording on a picture.

If all else fails, you can contract with someone to make you a cover.

[SereinChoo]

I do my own book covers - bascially for book covers, it needs to capture the eyes of readers - sharp contrast, sharp colours (but that also depends on what kind you are writing about) e.g horror usually made it quite dark with one contrasting colour. You can check out other book covers and see what you like to get a general idea of what you would like for your own cover. I often experiment with my covers to get the one that has the correct mix. Tools used - Canva, Ai Gen Art (blasphemy but as a writer it helps to get a high quality looking cover for cheap) - this cover ( I drawn everything by self though no AI)

Read ZuoMeng : To Dream | Tapas Web Novels

[Anshin]

As a writer it's really important for me to see my own characters so it fuels me to write my story more, and the cover art is where my craving to see my characters start.

I'm not sure if this will really count, but I had an artist help me create the initial illustration for my covers, then I'll do the rest of the editing myself! (Including the title logo)

[Taggzer]

I thought I'd provide an update. Thanks everyone for the help so far.
@cherrystark I see the childishness to the cover now which would probably not be ideal for my story, I've attempted shading what did you think?

[cherrystark]

The shadows do add more depth. Something to consider when you practice, where does the light come from? Natural flowing water has a lot of greens, grays, and browns to it. So actively moving water like rapids would be white but if the sun was shining more directly on the boat and the monster. The water by the boat would be a lighter blue-green color while the water by the docks would be a darker blue. The same would be true for the landscape, the darker colors would be in the background and the lighter colors would be in the foreground.

Keep up the good work!

[ThunderChicken]

My suggestion would be to not get too hung up on the art. A simple drawing of one of your characters or mythical beasts would suffice.

It brings to mind a book I read years ago, called The Chrysalids. It’s a very popular YA book (it is assigned reading in many schools, or at least it was 40 years ago). It’s about a group of telepathic kids living in a post-apocalyptic world where religion is supreme and any little birth defect of difference is considered a blasphemy that must be destroyed. Naturally, telepathy would be considered a blasphemy.

At one point in the story it is revealed that a character has six toes, and she is found out when somebody sees her wet footprint, hence this simple cover:

There was also another cover, equally simple, showing the characters doing their telepathy thing:

Neither are artistic masterpieces, but they both reveal something of the plot.