Question about book covers (Smashwords/Draft2Digital)

[hephaestu5]

I'm thinking of posting my work to Smashwords/Draft2Digital, and I saw that they allow book covers. I have a few questions that I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with.

1) Where do people who publish on Smashwords get their erotic book covers? Are they free? Are there any copyright issues?
Here's an example from an author I follow on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com********/view/SastriVera

2) Have you used AI to make a book cover for Smashwords? I know Lit is against using AI, but I'm not sure about Smashwords. Personally, I don't think I want to use AI to make my book covers, but I'm still curious.

3) If I use my own photos/art for the book cover, I'm assuming I shouldn't have any copyright issues. Is there anything I should watch out for?

Also, if anyone here has experience with Smashwords, I'd appreciate any tips!

 

[AG31]

I found someone, somehow on line who would make book covers to order for a reasonable fee. But I can't remember how I did the search. I used him about a dozen times.

 

[dmallord]

I’ve been reading a few of the intro pages by the guy who started Smashwords. Forgotten the links but will try to find them. I wanted to create a bookish presentation as well. Haven’t reached the serious point yet.

I took a story I’m working on and used AI art to generate a cover and some interior photos for it. Formatted it with color fonts, etc., in MS Word; I turned it into a PDF. Thought about just sending it out to anyone who wanted a format that Lit is unable to post currently. [Image is below]

I wish there were a simple way to distribute those.

Meanwhile, Chloe sent me a link for covers she purchases from bookcovers.

If you create your own covers, with your own photos/art you will be fine. Just look up some images of what is currently posted to get an idea of how to format it all so you don’t spin your wheels.

 

[WCSGarland]

I'm thinking of posting my work to Smashwords/Draft2Digital, and I saw that they allow book covers. I have a few questions that I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with.

1) Where do people who publish on Smashwords get their erotic book covers? Are they free? Are there any copyright issues?
Here's an example from an author I follow on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com********/view/SastriVera

2) Have you used AI to make a book cover for Smashwords? I know Lit is against using AI, but I'm not sure about Smashwords. Personally, I don't think I want to use AI to make my book covers, but I'm still curious.

3) If I use my own photos/art for the book cover, I'm assuming I shouldn't have any copyright issues. Is there anything I should watch out for?

Also, if anyone here has experience with Smashwords, I'd appreciate any tips!

The answer you are seeking is notoriously difficult to get an actual response from... the readership. I've used both, but I'm afraid I can not help in this regard. I know that if you are expecting some fellow authors to purchase your works, a few of them can be exceedingly critical of using AI generated covers. I am not entirely certain that the actual readership is as discerning as my fellow authors.

As always, take any responses with a grain of salt... mine own included. As I've said I've used both, but my success is limited with respect to sales through Smashwords and other venues.

 

[SalaciousASD]

I'm thinking of posting my work to Smashwords/Draft2Digital, and I saw that they allow book covers. I have a few questions that I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with.

1) Where do people who publish on Smashwords get their erotic book covers? Are they free? Are there any copyright issues?
Here's an example from an author I follow on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com********/view/SastriVera

2) Have you used AI to make a book cover for Smashwords? I know Lit is against using AI, but I'm not sure about Smashwords. Personally, I don't think I want to use AI to make my book covers, but I'm still curious.

3) If I use my own photos/art for the book cover, I'm assuming I shouldn't have any copyright issues. Is there anything I should watch out for?

Also, if anyone here has experience with Smashwords, I'd appreciate any tips!

I illustrate erotic bookcovers, if you're interested in talking about process or fees.

 

[hephaestu5]

I took a story I’m working on and used AI art to generate a cover and some interior photos for it.

Meanwhile, Chloe sent me a link for covers she purchases from bookcovers.

If you create your own covers, with your own photos/art you will be fine. Just look up some images of what is currently posted to get an idea of how to format it all so you don’t spin your wheels.

Thank you for all your tips! Since you used AI-generated art for your cover, does the mean you own the copyright, or not?

I know that if you are expecting some fellow authors to purchase your works, a few of them can be exceedingly critical of using AI generated covers. I am not entirely certain that the actual readership is as discerning as my fellow authors.

I don't think I'll be using AI to create my covers. I don't really want to do that, it kind of takes the fun out of creating something? I was mostly curious about the copyright implications.

I illustrate erotic bookcovers, if you're interested in talking about process or fees.

Tysm! For now, though, I'm thinking of using my own photos for my book covers.

 

[SalaciousASD]

Thank you for all your tips! Since you used AI-generated art for your cover, does the mean you own the copyright, or not?


I don't think I'll be using AI to create my covers. I don't really want to do that, it kind of takes the fun out of creating something? I was mostly curious about the copyright implications.


Tysm! For now, though, I'm thinking of using my own photos for my book covers.

Cool, if you need help formatting it or help with typography laid on top of your photos, let me know.

 

[dmallord]

Thank you for all your tips! Since you used AI-generated art for your cover, does the mean you own the copyright, or not?

Tysm! For now, though, I'm thinking of using my own photos for my book covers.

The first article here is very useful and cites legal matters. The second is general background info. I’m sure there's a lot more to expand on from my initial query about AI use and copyright.

Background on AI Use

AI Cover Design Info

 

[dirk2024]

I am not on Smashwords, but maybe one day.

I do make my own covers I use for my stories over on erotxt, a brand new erotica website. I make mine using a free version of Canva and pics I get from unsplash or pexels.

I know some folks love AI, but I both have ethical issues about it and I'm not overly fond of its imagery. It's becoming all same-same.

Here's the latest one I created.

 

[hephaestu5]

The first article here is very useful and cites legal matters. The second is general background info. I’m sure there's a lot more to expand on from my initial query about AI use and copyright.

Background on AI Use

AI Cover Design Info

Thank you. These two points from the articles are conflicting, which is another reason I don't want to use AI for my covers.
•"Examples of what might qualify for copyright protection: Editing an AI-generated image with original cropping, collage, or hand-drawn elements." - Article 1
•"You are responsible for all AI output and how you use it. You might not “mean” to infringe on someone’s copyright, but you’re still liable if the AI tool drew from content you aren’t licensed to use." - Article 2

It's becoming all same-same.

That's such a good way to describe what reading/looking at AI content feels like. It just doesn't feel exciting. This is kinda a weird tangent, and no one likes emails, but I used to like reading emails from people at work when I could sense their personality in the way that they write, haha. But so many of them use AI blatantly now.
Anyway, I created a cover using pictures of myself and also edited it using Canva. I'm going to post it on Smash and also Lit. It was really fun, and I think I'll do this for my other series too!

 

[usable001]

You may find this useful:
https://dannyechase.com/resources/non-ai-images/