The Random Book of Me

The Evolution of a Cover

When I first wanted to put 'The Cousin Returns' up on Wattpad, my biggest problem was how to get a cover. I didn't want to buy one and I didn't know how to make one.

So I entered a competition on Goodreads ('The Cousins' Short Story Goodreads Writing Contest). The prize was a lovely cover with two cute kids, piano keys and a red rose. I added all these elements to my already written story. Unfortunately I came second in the contest so no cover for me.

Then I discovered the Covers app linked to Wattpad. I'd taken a lovely photo of my daughter curled up on the grass and thought that would make a terrific cover.

I loved it but I couldn't escape the nagging feeling it didn't really reflect the content of the story, which is about a teenage girl struggling with revenge and forgiveness and identity at the beach.

So I tried again, this time using a stock photo from the Covers App.

I remember LuckyPlum being particularly encouraging about this effort but I was bothered by the flyaway hair I couldn't fix and I felt like it was too dark.

I went back to the Covers app again but I just couldn't find a stock photo in the that reflected the story. So on a beach in Phuket, I quickly snapped a picture of my husband from behind.

Of course I had to alter the story to fit the photo first, as originally Mitchell was very well-dressed for the dance when he came to the beach.

Now I had my photo, it was time to play. I heard of the Snapseed App from the Shultz Photo School and downloaded it. What fun! It was a delight to tinker with.

I made this, and liked it but in a thumbnail it didn't look that good. The title did not stand out when it was so small and I couldn't work out how to fix it without wrecking it. My knowledge of Snapseed was still very limited.

So I tried again, this time using a new app to help - Phonto which has a variety of fonts. I started using Phonto because I won a sticker for another story 'The Lollypop Man' and the Phonto app makes it easy to apply stickers. Phonto also made it possible for me to do a box with a dark background and white text.

Again I only liked this cover at first because the words stood out but later I felt it really wasn't professional enough, especially in a thumbnail.

So I tried again. Ok, I am a bit obsessive. I really do enjoy the process though. I'd also won a third place sticker in The Winner Awards and needed to apply it

I was still not happy and needed to add a new sticker from The Angel Awards. Angel_Awards

I went back to Snapseed, realising that even though it has only a few fonts I really like them. And finally I am happy :)

Thank you for following my cover making journey. How have you made your covers? What tips and tricks and apps do you use?

*News Flash: Just discovered Spark Post - my new favourite app. It even has a size option for kindle covers!!