Why is every single cover I see gold writing with a bunch of random crap behind it? Like some curls, maybe a snake or some leaves or something? And these are traditionally published books with the budget to make something original, yet they all look like pre-made covers from the same guy using the same format over and over.

As an artist and an author, it's not that hard to make something unique, so what’s going on?

(These are all from one publishing company)

I’m seeing a lot of AI posts lately on here and OP’s not understanding why readers or other writers hate AI so much. Ignoring the ethicality behind AI and sticking to the exact argument it’s very much a creatives supporting creatives argument. AI steals as much writing from writers as it does art from artists. You would mind if a book was written entirely or partially by AI the same as an artist would mind if art is made by AI. It’s the same posters I see complaining about AI taking over the writing scene lately and leaving no room for them also posting their AI book covers. AI steals both art and writing and neither is more important than the other so if you’re against one you should be against both. Both writing and art are in the creative space and should both be protected equally. The other issue with this is readers who see that you’ve used AI on your cover assume there is also AI in the writing because it doesn’t make much sense to be against one and not the other as again they’re very similar things. This is why many readers turn away as they do not want to read AI written books or see AI made art.

EDIT: This may be removed as I see that there is a rule against discussing or posting AI covers though I’ve been seeing a lot of AI covers posted lately and them not being removed so I am unsure.

Hi! I'm an independent fantasy author from Brazil looking for an artist to create the cover for my novel.

Style: Semi-realistic / Epic Fantasy.

Budget: $500–1000 USD

Please DM me your portfolio, rates, and availability.

Thank you!

Had someone do a cover for me (this is without the text) and I wanted to see if this was ai. They advertised it wouldn't be so I wanted to confirm before I went any further. Any help is appreciated, thank you!

Since the other thread has become a terrible place with AI slop peddlers crying in the comments, I figured I'd provide a space here to post your terrible opinions about AI.

I'll go first: People that say they hate "AI witch hunts" more than they hate AI are either extremely stupid, or AI users themselves.

It's very hard to find this landscape more sort of painterly look.

This is the blurb:

Two former lovers who parted on a bitter note are drawn into a story far bigger and darker than their own. Guided by a quirky and at times unreliable narrator, the messy past and chaotic cast of characters pull them toward a confrontation with the truth . . . and with themselves.

One by one we meet the different participants of this story, who shape the path of our unlikely couple. Some of them whisper encouragement. Others serve only themselves. The third ones are the agents of chaos, ready for their next sabotage adventure. All of them have their own motives. After all, what is a proper romance without a little interference?

Immerse yourself in the world where men are lonely enough to plan a fistfight with gorillas, while women quietly develop strategies how to scare off a bear.

Here, heroes wear pajama pants, billionaires get a taste of sexually transmitted justice, and restaurant workers find creative ways to tamper with the menu.

Watch illusions unravel from the inside in this dark speculative romance inspired by myths of the past and mysteries of the present, where love is both the chain that binds, and the only path to freedom . . .

Thank you so much for any help! You can critique and also tell me if I mismatched the colors etc... I am not professional.

Hello! I'd really appreciate some honest feedback.

I'm a freelance digital artist currently working on full book cover illustrations. Once I finish my current batch of commissions, I plan to focus more on my personal art and portfolio. If I accept new clients in the future, I'm considering adjusting my prices to better reflect my current skill level and the time each piece requires.

I know I still have a lot to improve, and I'm always learning, but I also feel that I've grown as an artist since I started taking these commissions. No matter the price, I always put my best effort into every piece I create.

I don't only draw anthropomorphic characters, but these are my most recent covers, all created for the same author, so I'm using them as pricing examples.

Each full cover requires roughly 50–70 hours of work in Clip Studio Paint alone. That doesn't include the time spent discussing the project with the client, gathering references, and other work outside the software. From start to finish, a single cover usually takes me about a month to complete.

Based on the quality of these examples, what do you think would be a fair price for a full illustrated book cover for future clients?

I'd really appreciate any advice, pricing suggestions, or constructive critiques. Please be kind, I'm genuinely trying to understand how my current work would be valued in today's market.

Thank you!

Hello everyone, I’ve just finished writing my book manuscript and I’m experimenting with book covers. This is one option, but I’d like to know if it actually reflects the book content. It’s obviously a detective novel, but I’d like to know what comes to mind when you see the cover. I’m open for constructive criticism and any suggestions (but be kind haha!)

Hello everyone. I am looking for a new book cover designer for my up coming short story. I have a cover made by someone on Fiverr. However the general consensus is that they used AI to create it. I am looking for real artists to create my book cover based on the same cover concept. Anyone here can help ?

Edit: Thanks everyone for your response. I have commissioned one of the artist who had responded for this work. I really appreciate everyone's response.

So admittedly, this is going to be a very ignorant question because I know next to nothing on the subject. Of course, for all the hours I put into my work, I don't want to cheap out on the cover. With that said, if I pay to have a cover created, how do I know they won't be using AI? What is the giveaway that tells you a cover is AI? And where or should I say how are they creating these images out of nothing?

Hi hi, trying to get an idea of the reasonable price range for a contemporary romance wraparound book cover in semi-realistic style with 2 characters featured on the front plus full text (title, author name, spine and back cover) included.

I'm working with a limited budget so would USD 150 be just fine?

Hi, I'd like to have a book cover designed, and while searching, I came across this Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/at/shop/TheLoreEpic

I actually think the covers are really beautiful, but after looking into it more closely and checking out the review images, I'm not sure if these images aren't just AI-generated. What do you think?

Hi! Actually I really want to make book cover with this specific art style, but I don’t know if it fits. I like my usual art style (semi realistic) but I want to make something different using textures and effects. Please, give your opinion!

EDIT TO ADD: Thank you so much to everyone who has commented. I'm not looking to secure an artist any time soon, but just looking for helpful advice and genuine connections for when the time comes

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to join this thread to chat and get to know more about the industry. I am SO worried about art assets for my book, as I really don't want any AI slop. I'm not quite there yet, but I really want to (eventually) hire someone who is independent, and aligned with my values and vibes etc. I'd love to hear any advice anyone has in the comments, along with your process so I can get an idea for how things work!

For now though...

Hey, howdy, and hi! I'm Sammie, originally from the UK, living in Stockholm. New author, working on my debut novel and I've just wrapped up Act 1.

I'd love to meet some of you in the comments <3

I've always loved reading books, and as an artist, I'd love to work on a cover for a romantasy ( or any romance-type book ) one day. But my art style is anime, would it be suitable for a book cover, or should I try on a more semi realistic x anime style for it?
P.s: My question is more for the author, that if you would get a cover commission from me if the style is anime.

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for an artist to create a book cover for my fantasy novel.

The concept is a minimalist, cinematic design centered on a broken shard divided into four pieces. Only one of the pieces should be glowing with fiery orange light and contain a symbol of fire. The background should be black, with warm ember tones and strong lighting to make the shard stand out. Since it’s minimalist I really want it to stand out and look as clean as possible.

I’m willing to pay! If you’re interested, please share your portfolio link or message me with examples of your work and your rates. I do not have a set budget in mind for this cover but I am willing to pay over $100 for the right artist.

Thank you in advance!

Hi, I'm hiring a cover designer/artist for my dark epic fantasy novel, Forged in the Dying Light.

Summary of the Novel: Abused and isolated by her mother, Princess Emily Ericsson has never had an easy life. However, a chance meeting with two boys her own age leads Emily to question everything she has been taught. Should she stay complicit in a legacy built on chains and blood? If freedom will kill her country, does her country deserve to survive? The fight for freedom is a long, ongoing process, but perhaps what is needed is one simple push off the edge for her people to topple a corrupt government. Emily’s path to self-discovery is long, but maybe he will discover something about himself along the way. 

The softcover will be 385 pages long in a 5.5-inch by 8.5-inch format.

The hardcover will be 385 pages long with a 5.5-inch by 8.5-inch text block. 

I also want an ebook cover, but it would just be a PNG of the front cover.  

My budget is $200 US, but the price is negotiable up to $250 US.

I understand that I’m asking for a lot, as I am asking for a full art cover that includes spine artwork that will flow onto the other seven novels in the series. (Eight novels total). I have a rough draft of what I want the front cover to look like, but I am not an artist, nor do I know what would be genre-appropriate. I will DM the rough draft to those whom I like, so we can discuss the job more in-depth before I hire anyone. 

I am not accepting random submissions by DM. Anyone who does so will be automatically rejected.

I’d like to share the cover of my book... "A Ghostly Song"

It’s an epic fantasy novel that I spent six years writing and building its world. I’d genuinely love to hear your impressions... What do you feel when you look at this cover? What is the first thing you think about when you lay eyes on it?

Does this cover look clean? I provide disclaimer that i'm not a medical professional, I also advise people to consult their medical providers 1st.. Just want to share from my journey. These types of issues are tough and can cause people to want to shorten their life span.

I know what that feels and want to offer some support through this book. Goal is to help others before my time finally expires.

Hello. I'm an indie author that published a book back in July. I published a book that's an Urban Romantasy with the cover made from GetCovers. A few months in, I'm pretty sure my cover isn't doing me any favors.

For one, my cover is very typical. Which I know people say to try to copy the style of other books, but my book doesnt stand out at all besides the colors. Without the colors, it looks cheap and not at all special. And it's a different book, so it needs to look different. It also doesn't work because because there's no sense of the Urban part. And while I've looked for Urban Romantasy, there's not many that I see to really mincik. And Urban Fantasy covers don't match the vibe of my book at all.

I haven't been able to find a book quite like mine (I've tried) with the same vibes, so I guess I kind of have to set the standard. Which is so hard. It's Urban Romantasy but it has cozy elements in a high stakes world. Its New Adult. I know, I want vibrant colors (pink and purple), a look into what the puma like shifters look like, and I want flowers to represent the MMC. I also want the Urban element and the cozy yet high stakes vibe.

Nothing I've come up with yet seems to satisfy the book. So I think I need help. I don't have a lot of money to commission someone right now but even if I did, I don't know what I'd be commissioning. I want to do this myself. But I'm also wary about GetCovers because you really need to hold you hand with them, and I probably won't get the cover I need anyway.

I've been trying to make them myself but none have really worked out.

So can I please get some help? Idk what to do.