In your opinion, does a book cover for a book sold on Bookapy need to have a picture on it? Or can it be just words?
Thanks.
In your opinion, does a book cover for a book sold on Bookapy need to have a picture on it? Or can it be just words?
Thanks.
My $0.02.
Need is a strong word here. I don't think I'd go that far.
That said, good cover art will draw eyes. Although bad cover art can push eyes away.
The hard part for most self published authors is going to be finding publishable cover art, unless the author is capable of making their own from scratch.
Here's one thing that in my opinion is a definite don't.
https://bookapy.com/s/601/real-man-4-taming-the-wildness
Title on the listing does not match the title on the cover.
the author is capable of making their own from scratch.
The way your phrase this makes it sound like you think it's difficult.
Do they have to be professional? No, but photo editing software is either inexpensive or free, and simply applying the appropriate layers to free pictures or art is easily done. And of course, there's the cover art for Bob, which Aroslav has an EXCELLENT artist.
No, but photo editing software is either inexpensive or free, and simply
No. To be completely free and clear on copyright, the author would have to have taken the base photograph or drawn the base image himself. Otherwise you need a license.
Generally speaking pictures available for free on-line do not come with a license that would allow republication.
Does a lot of reposting happen on-line? Yes, but when you are talking about using it as a cover on a book you intend to sell, the rules change a bit. Making a case for free-use is going to be a lot harder and the owner of the copyright of the original image is going to be a lot more likely to sue if they find out.
Bing image search allows you to set a filter for "Free to modify, use, use commercially"
Bing image search allows you to set a filter for "Free to modify, use, use commercially"
I wouldn't be willing to bet my life savings on the accuracy of that filter.
If you get a false positive and use the image, MS is not going to indemnify you.
Yes, to each their own. My dad fears to online bank. Here is the image page from Bing that discusses such things if anyone is interested. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/filter-images-by-license-type-aee5ceb7-adc4-4562-9e91-cad92fa07b93
Bing image search allows you to set a filter for "Free to modify, use, use commercially"
With this caveat (from the link you posted):
Note: Bing doesn't verify or represent that a specific license is associated with an image or that you can use the image under that license.
Generally speaking pictures available for free on-line do not come with a license that would allow republication.
Unless, of course, they do ... and here, too and even here, too - just for a FEW examples of actually spending 30 seconds of research into a topic, instead of making an announcement where more than one person can prove you wrong very quickly and easily. (And you also didn't even quote me properly.)
Use the photos for flyers, postcards, invitations, magazines, albums, books, CD covers and more.
they do ... https://www.pexels.com/license/
The photo I selected for my new novel is from pexels which they say is free to use. However, they also say: "Identifiable people may not appear in a bad light or in a way that is offensive."
So the title of my novel is "The Nymphomaniac" and this woman's photo will be on that book cover. She's identifiable. Does a novel with that title and a story about a nymphomaniac put her in a bad light? Is it offensive to her? The word "nymphomaniac" is right under her face on the cover.
The hard part for most self published authors is going to be finding publishable cover art, unless the author is capable of making their own from scratch.
An option is to attend a couple of SciFi Conventions. Most "Fan-Run" Conventions have Art Shows, and of the artists advertise making custom drawings of a character's image from a RPG. Most would make a painting or drawing or computer generated image for a reasonable price; perhaps for less money if they get attribution and a link to their web site. "Smutty" sex stories might be more difficult to get art for than an adventure story. (instead of "Pro Cons" that tend to focus on "Merchandising" and selling autographs)
"Smutty" sex stories might be more difficult to get art for than an adventure story.
I'm actually in discussion with a gentleman that does his own webcomic about doing some cover art for Book Five. Oh, and it's a VERY adult webcomic, so no issues that way. :)
An option is to attend a couple of SciFi Conventions. Most "Fan-Run" Conventions have Art Shows, and of the artists advertise making custom drawings of a character's image from a RPG.
I know a couple of "adult" art sites where artists advertise doing commission work. Although at the listed prices I doubt they would offer a license for publication. Not saying they wouldn't do it, just that I think it would cost more.
The hard part for most self published authors is going to be finding publishable cover art, unless the author is capable of making their own from scratch.
Or is lucky enough to have an editor who does double-duty and creates cover art!
Among dead tree books in a book store, the cover was always the first thing that got my attention after a known author name. A well thought out book cover is more advertising than anything else.
I don't think it works the same for electronic stores.
A well thought out book cover is more advertising than anything else.
But can it be the title that grabs the reader or does it have to be a picture?
A well thought out book cover is more advertising than anything else.
I enhanced part of your sentence.
As a reader I would be pissed if the book titled "The Blonde Bombshell" came with a picture of 'Red Sonja'.
Could happen if the artist was told working title "The Bombshell" and looks like Brigitte Nielsen. As a Schwarzenegger fan he had a copy of the poster, remembered the name of the title star and based his work on this poster. Then the publisher changed the title to "The Blonde Bombshell".
BTW, publishers changing book titles happens to the best:
Anne McCaffrey
Red Star Rising, or Red Star Rising: Second Chronicles of Pern, was published by Bantam UK in 1996. For release in the United States the following year it was retitled Dragonseye.
J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was first published in the United Kingdom on 26 June 1997 by Bloomsbury. It was published in the United States the following year by Scholastic Corporation under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
HM.
I think I'm in a tiny minority because I ignore cover art and go straight for the blurb.
However, I recognise that most people are very visually oriented, so I reckon a book without cover art would be unattractive, particularly in a market place like Bookapy.
AJ
A couple of additional considerations. For something you are going to publish, like a book cover, photos of actual people might require a model release.
And nude or partially nude photos would likely require verified proof of the model's age.
If anyone following this post can do semi-pro looking bookcovers or graphics work, shoot me a pm please.
If anyone following this post can do semi-pro looking bookcovers or graphics work
Browse the book covers on Bookapy. If you see ones you like by an author, send him a note. Worse case is he'll say no.