E-book cover

[Pockets]

Hola ladies and Gents. So i just yesterday completed writing my second novel and now, while the editing process begins I need to consider the cover for the book. if anyone could help me it would be much appreciated. the woman that did my last cover hasnt responded to my emails since Sept 20.

here is the first cover image

its got obviously my name as Author front and center up top, an image of one of my main Characters with Glowing purple eyes. the title outlined in the same shade of purple and then the book number and series title 'The Shadow Walkers'

for the second book i would like to do the same set up except a young womans face, silver hair and glowing vibrant green eyes. If a black feather could be included somewhere in the image as well that would be amazing but if not no big deal.


The title outlined with the same green 'Let Her Cry' and then Book Two and series title.

If anyone could help me out I would be very grateful. i have GIMP and Photoshop but i am hopelessly unqualified to use them.

[Lillian Thorne]

If you have the rights to that stock photo you showed me so long ago I would be happy to do this for you friend.

[Pockets]

I do not but i shall see about getting that. would you happen to know what size image would be best to purchase? it gives me size option when i go to choose one but im not sure what size would be best.

[Lillian Thorne]

What size file do you need? My amateur skills do not provide me with a real answer for that question, which is the trouble with working with amateurs who wing so much. So get the one closest to the size of the image file you need for the Ebook.

[Pockets]

hmmmm.... the image file can't be larger than 300 DPI if I remember correctly. Does that mean anything to you?

[Sherlock Holmes]

hmmmm.... the image file can't be larger than 300 DPI if I remember correctly. Does that mean anything to you?

300 dpi (dots per inch) is the minimum quality you generally want for print. For an e-book cover, they want it under that number simply to save on file size. (The dpi isn't really as necessary, since it's just a graphic for a display. Web graphics are generally 72 dpi, for comparison.)

I'd recommend buying the image at at least 5 X 7 (or larger, if you can). That's approximately the size of the average paperback / massmarket book, so that you'll be all set in case you ever do decide to go to print. Always design with that in mind because otherwise you'll have to do the image over from scratch. (It's easy to make an image smaller, but you can't make the image larger if the quality isn't there.. Do it once, do it right.)

Hopefully that answers your question. (If not, let me know and I'll try to clarify.)

[Pockets]

That is perfect Mr. Holmes, thank you muchly sir.

Ok, I always figure a print version to run at 6x9 so I'll keep that in mind in my image searches.

Lils, I saw some awesome other images that would work better than that first one I came across so I'll get to hunting and see what i can come up with. Wondering if it'd be possible to find one with a single tear running down her cheek, or to add that in? Considering the title that seems most appropriate.

[Lillian Thorne]

send me what you've got and I'll do my best. If I can't do something I will let you know. It's how I operate and how I learn after all. Thanks for the answer SherlockHolmes. There is always So much I don't know.

[Pockets]

I shall get to hunting right away.