(This is my second post on online options for book covers. Here’s Part 1.)
When the interior of my 2nd edition of Mercurial Tales was ready, I ordered the back cover and spine from the SelfPubBookCovers.com website, which has a user-friendly order page with separate spaces for back-cover data: headline, sub-headline, blurb, author photo. There’s no official place for a logo and imprint, but I was able to email a jpg of my logo, for spine and back. Although the majority of SPBC clients may publish through CreateSpace, they also work with IngramSpark (Lightning Source) templates. The final-file email states that SelfPubBookCovers guarantee their covers 100 percent — if there is any problem with uploading to IngramSpark, they will handle it at no additional charge.
So, I forwarded my L/S-generated cover template to SelfPub. Within a few days, they emailed a completed “draft” version. The back-cover art was a neat variation on the front. There were only a few small tweaks to the copy. The second “draft” needed only three tiny adjustments. Third version: perfect.
I proceeded with uploading to IngramSpark. Ingram has an automated checking system that flags anything that might compromise the printed book’s appearance. My interior passed, but my purchased cover did not because some “element” of the art was not dense enough. I forwarded Rob, the SPBC tech liaison, the necessary information, and he got back to me within the hour, after re-examining the art. He found and corrected the problem, and sent the file back to me, problem-free, in two business days. So, from first site visit to IngramSpark printing was 35 days, with one minor hiccup!
For me, finding SelfPubBookCovers was serendipity. The advantages: knowing exactly what the costs are going to be, and that “fixes” (before final approval) will not result in surprise additional fees; more control of my “final product”; tech support that is fast and responsive. If you have been looking into cover options, take some time to thoroughly explore this site. Well worth consideration by any indie author or small publisher.
Epilogue … Yesterday UPS dropped off a case of the new edition with the new cover (P.O.D. by IngramSpark) – they look brilliant! I’ll have some on display (and for sale) at the August meeting, so anyone who’s curious about how the final product came out, please be sure to stop by, pick up, have a look at the back cover too! (No obligation to buy.) I’m happy to answer questions about my whole experience to date with SelfPubBookCovers. (By the way, I found out they are IBPA members!)