By: Amanda Gochez

So you have this beautiful manuscript done, but how do you match the cover to the words that embody it? How do you go about getting a book cover? If you are like me when I started, I had no idea where to begin. I had no knowledge of what to do. I want to share what I do know with you in hopes it helps you.

After I got done with my manuscript, once again, I did research. I found my first cover on www.thebookcoverdesigner. It has pre-made book covers with the designer’s information. The cover I picked, only got sold once so no one else can ever have it, and this amazing company converted my manuscript to the necessary files to create the book for Amazon, B&N, and Google Play. I didn’t even think that was a thing! I had no idea that I needed the files created, but I told myself that there was a learning curve.

My second book cover, I got from www.ampersandbookcovers.com, and my third book cover was from www.thecovercollection.com. But there are other sites as well that you can check out like: www.rockingbookcovers.com, www.fiver.com, and you could always try hiring a photographer to get a more personal photograph that you could create yourself. I think that is more on the expensive end if you are on a budget. Now, this is for self-publishing. If you are recently signed with a publisher, I wouldn’t really worry about having to do all the heavy lifting yourself; your publisher is there to help you with that.

My book covers ranged from $50.00-$200.00, but all vary.  Now once you decide on one, they will ask you for the final word-count of your book. If your manuscript is still in processing that is okay! Don’t stress! You have paid for the cover and they will happily wait until you can give them the final word-count. They will give you the e-book cover first, so you can use this for the cover reveal until you can get the paperback cover file! It’s what I do.

Once again, I found all of this out by doing research. I spent hours upon days looking for the perfect cover, clicking on all the sites, and having fun. Keep in mind the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, why? Well, people do judge, so ignore that awful advice. If the cover isn’t interesting, doesn’t catch the readers eye, or it doesn’t depict what the book encompasses, that is not the cover you! Do not settle on a cover and don’t go too cheap. When it comes to this business quality and price matter; you can tell a difference. Don’t be in a hurry, you will know which cover is right for you. It happened to me, it was like a light shining down and singing a wonderful praise! It’s kind of like love, when you know, you know!

I know this blog isn’t informative like the others, but I really wanted to share some of my experience with book covers because I had no idea what to do. I hope this reaches someone who is wondering the same thing.