Hi fiction lover! Every season is a great time to write and get your work out there. If you’ve gone through the same struggles as me, maybe you’ve questioned whether you should self publish your manuscript. After all, it’s a whole lot of work that you’ll have to do yourself. One of those things? Finding an awesome cover. You spent so many hours crafting a beautiful story, so you want something that will match. But you don’t want something that will break your bank either. I got you! The answer is to find a premade cover. A premade book cover is a cover that’s already been designed by an artist—all you need to do is send your book title and author name. Sometimes, minor changes are possible. But where do you find good premade covers? Here is my number one tip.
The Heaven of Premade Covers
So, scouring the web for premade covers, you might be tempted to do a Google search for “premade covers,” maybe adding your genre and subgenre. That’s a pretty good start. You’ll find some decent covers that way. However, you’ll see that the same dominating sites will come out, those that have hundreds of designs that vary greatly in quality. Some sites will use AI, so you’ll have to read their policy carefully. However, there’s a better way to find covers that will have you connecting with smaller artists who use more unique styles.
First, you’ll need to go on your Facebook account. That’s right, you’ll have to dust it off if you haven’t used it for a while. If you don’t have an account, you can make one under your pen name. Then, look for a Facebook group for premade covers! One of the bigger ones is called “Book Cover Design Marketplace.” However, there are many groups to choose from. It doesn’t really matter which one you choose first.
After joining your chosen group (you’ll need to provide a little info about yourself, such as whether you’re an author or designer, and what kind of covers you’re looking for), you can then browse the recent posts. Various artists will post their latest covers, and then you can check out their website and special deals.
Here’s where it gets interesting: you can choose to join smaller, more niche groups. Artists will have their own Facebook groups, so once you find a style you’re vibing with, you can join their community. This will open up doors for so many options, from budget to fully illustrated. The prices will vary depending on the experience of the artist, but you will likely find something that fits your budget.
What to Look Out For
Most artists will have a statement on their website or posts regarding whether they use AI. Be careful as some publishing platforms are getting stricter on AI art. If you’re in doubt, you can always message or email the designer to make sure.
If you are not needing your cover urgently, I recommend waiting for a sale! Many designers will have sales periodically. For example, at the end of the month. You have to be fast here, as covers can go like hot cakes at this point. If you’re on a really tight budget, this might be your best option.
A big tip is to know exactly what you want. Overwhelmed by so many covers, you may jump at the first one that piques your interest. Don’t make this mistake! Be picky and know exactly what style you want. For example, fully illustrated or photo manipulation. A realistic style or anime style. And definitely research other covers in your genre to make sure you’re following conventions. The exception is if you’re just looking—it’s totally okay to explore styles to see which one you vibe with most.
If you’re not satisfied with the groups on Facebook, you might want to check out Instagram too. Lots of freelance illustrators live here, so you’ll have plenty of room to explore. If you go this route, I recommend finding an artist you really like, then look in their “following” section. Chances are, they’re following other great illustrators. Instagram may be the right path for you if you’re looking for illustrations rather than photo manipulation (although both have a space on the platform).
That’s it from me! Did you learn something new? I had no idea that there was such a bustling premade market on Facebook. Shout out to the user ladnakahva on Reddit who opened my eyes to this premade covers tip! And check out my blog for all things fiction, from book reviews to tips like this one.