10.30.2017

How to Make a Professional eBook Cover for Free | GUEST POST by Adriana Raygoza

Hello everyone!  It's been a little while since I've posted.  Today I have Adriana Rayzoga with me.  Today she's coming at you with some graphic design tips!  I learned some nifty GIMP tricks from her video. :)

Over to you, Adriana!



Would you like to learn how to make a professional eBook cover? How about a professional eBook cover that looks like this?

What if I told you can do it with very little experience? Would you be interested in learning?

What if I told you this kind of cover is possible without Photoshop?

What if I told you this cover was made with completely free royalty free stock photos?

What if I told you everything from the art program used to the photos, from the font to border was free?

If you would like to learn how I made this cover, check this video out.






You will find direct links to all the resources I used to create the cover in the description on YouTube. If you like the video, let me know in the comments here or on YouTube. I’d love to hear from you! And if you have any requests, feel free to offer them! (Note from Alea: Here's the link to the video, or you can click the title in the embedded video above.)

If you already have some graphic design skills, check out these awesome resources where you can find free (legal) digital supplies for your works of art. You are sure to find something you love!

Resources


  • GIMP: Free digital art program.
  • Pixabay: Free photos, you need an account to download, but it's also free and they have great pictures.
  • Pexels: Free Photos (no account needed) 
  • Deeezy: Free photos, fonts, patterns, borders, and more.
  • Dealjumbo: Free photos, fonts, patterns, borders, and more.

Adriana Raygoza is a student of The Master University and an up-and-coming graphic designer. She loves books, writing, superheroes, art (various mediums), creating jewelry, and outdoor activities. If you would like to stay up-to-date with what she is doing, you can find her at:

Facebook  |   YouTube   |   Instagram

What did you learn from Adriana's post?  We'd love to hear from you!

8 comments:

10.16.2017

End of the Year Goals

This was supposed to post last Monday, but I forgot to schedule it.  #oops.

This year has been crazy for me (clearly, since I forgot to publish this post).

I mean CRAZY.

But I do have goals I want to accomplish before the end of the year (well, maybe more like the end of Christmas break).

I'm pretty sure I stole this post idea from someone, but I'm not sure who.  Probably a conglomeration of bloggers.


1. Finish rewriting The Clockshifter.  (yes, again.)


2. Memorize all of my lines for Little Women.


In January I'm in a play!  And I'm one of the main roles, so please pray for me.

3. Exercise regularly.


4. Read two more books. (Harder than you'd think.)


5. Survive school (and get good grades).

6. Finish my online class.

7. Write my research paper (and get a good grade on it).

8. (This is last because I want it to be a goal for all time) Get closer to God.


Sorry for the "thrown together post".  I'm kind of dry on good post ideas.  I'm also trying to define what this blog really is.  If you have any ideas for me, please comment!

16 comments:

10.01.2017

The Types of High School Writers

It's hard to find time to write in high school.  Goodness, I've written maybe 3,000 words since school started about two months ago.  But, some high school writers still find ways to write.

(Warning: this post includes a lot of sarcasm.)


1. The "English Class is Actually My Novel" Writer


This fortunate writer's parents decided that since writing is obviously their child's future occupation and the family homeschools, the child should learn English via novel writing.

2. The "Secret Study Hall" Writer


This writer uses study hall to work on his novel, but shhhhh, don't tell the teacher. Who needs to do science homework anyway?

3. The Lunchtime Writer


Lunch isn't for talking to real friends, it's for playing with fictional characters.  This writer uses her 20 minute lunch break to write.


4. The "Forget Notes, I Have a Plot Bunny" Writer


Math class is too boring and this shiny new story is blossoming in my mind.  This writer pretends he is taking notes, but he is actually writing another chapter. (Also he's probably praying that his teacher doesn't call on him.)

5. The Studious, Overcommitted Writer


This writer really wants time to write but has overcommitted herself to grades and extracurricular activities.  Also, she's too studious to prioritize writing over school.  (Also slightly terrified of failing.). This writer hardly ever writes.

What type of writer describes you?


12 comments:

9.11.2017

Blogging Break

My life is kind of crazy right now, so I'm taking a bit of a blogging break.  In the meantime, here are some other blogs you can read.


5 comments:

9.01.2017

pretty, new book covers you should totally be aware of + "The Ankulen" cover design process | Kendra's bookshelf overhaul

Like I've mentioned before (at least a dozen times), I like pretty books.  I love being able to show them off on my bookshelf and politely force my friends to read them.


I forget when I first discovered Kendra, but I'm pretty sure it was through Jaye L. Knight.  Anyway, I picked up her books when they were free.  I loved Kendra's witty writing style and twists on cliches.  The only thing I didn't like was her book covers.

Long story short...I designed three of her new covers!  I also helped her revise her others.  (Note: this post is a part of Kendra's Bookshelf Overhaul.)

   

And here are the covers for The Bookania Quests...

   

For some reason Blogger isn't letting me format the pictures to that the book covers are in order...sorry.  Apparently I can format a book cover, but not a blog post.  lol.

Also, Sew, it's a Quest is a permanent free ebook on Smashwords!

Giveaway

In celebration of her bookshelf overhaul, Kendra is giving away a FULL set of books!  Hop on over to her blog for details.  Yes, comments on this post count for points.

The Ankulen Cover Design Process

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This was initial concept for The Ankulen.  I couldn't find a bracelet that did the think I want, so I had to tweak it in GIMP.  Don't worry, it was never intended to go on the finished cover.

Kendra said that she liked the concept, but thought it looked a little too "Princess Diaries".  She also sent me a picture of her legs (which I used in the final cover) and the actual Ankulen she made.


So I went to work again...




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I adjusted the coloring and added Kendra's images in.  But it was too plain.  There was a bunch of dead space.  It didn't look right.











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I added the word castle, word dragon, and ink splatters behind it.  Originally, I used the back cover synopsis as the text.  But Kendra suggested I use the first words of the book...










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The Final Result!

...so I did.  But, some readers expressed some concerns with the cover, so Kendra and I made a few more changes.







Other Participating Blogs

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairytales and twisting them in new and exciting ways. She's been or acting them on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years. "Finish your story, Kendra," is frequently heard at family gatherings. Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that glorify God and His Word.

What do you think of Kendra's new book covers?  Have you read any of her books?







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