How do I change my story's cover image?

Cover Support

At the end of March 2024, Storiesonline (and sister sites) introduced formal and integrated story cover images support. Previously, covers were handled as any other image that could be in a story and were done through the submission system.

With integrated covers support come great control afforded to authors and with it comes some responsibility.

Covers can be selected during the submission process of a new story (ideal), or can be done later through the story management facilities. Since it’s been a while that the site existed, most activity would need to be done through the story management facilities.

Cover types:

There are three types of covers.

1. Generic covers: Those are plain background color with text color that matches. You can use the default. The system has a color table for default color combinations by story genre.

2. Cover templates: The system provides a bunch of blank images that you can pick from, and the system will overlay the story’s title, author name, genre, copyright info onto the template and use it for your story.

3. Custom Cover: You provide a fully designed and executed image for use as a cover for your story.

Here is the requirements for custom covers:

1. The cover image must show the story’s title exactly how it is in the listings, and the author’s name also as in the listings.

2. The story’s title and author name must be clear and completely legible.

3. Covers must be big enough to perform their job. Minimum dimensions 1000px X 1000px

4. Maximum cover dimensions are 1500px X 1500px. You can make them bigger, but the system will scale them down to fit inside the maximum dimensions. It’s best to use a tall cover with dimensions of 1000px width and 1500px height..

5. The format used is JPG, so animations and transparencies aren’t possible.

How to change a story’s cover

1. Click ‘Authors/Editors’

2. Click ‘Manage Stories’, and you’ll get a list of stories.

3. Click the story’s title

In the story’s info, there should be a cover displayed, if you want to change it, click it. You’ll get the cover type picker:

To upload your own custom-created cover, click ‘Upload Custom’, you’ll get the custom cover uploader form:

Find your custom cover image and click ‘Upload’.

To choose one of our provided templates, click ‘Pick Template’, you’ll get the Template picker:

There are many templates and we’ll add more as time goes on. Scroll horizontally to see more template, click an image to use it as template for your cover.

To choose a color combo click ‘Pick Colors’, you’ll get the color picker:

Click the colors to get the system’s color chooser or type in an html color code. Select a legible color combination, so it must have enough contrast between the text and the background. Once you’re satisfied with your colors selection click ‘Use Colors’ button.

Whatever choice you make, you’ll be returned to the story info page and the new selection will be displayed.

Please note that when you upload a custom cover, whether in the submission process or for existing stories, the moderators will see it and will make a judgement whether to confirm the cover or remove it. We’ll let you know when we reject a cover and why.