Comments on: An Author’s Guide to Stock Photos for Book Covers

By: Kay Castaneda

Kay Castaneda — Thu, 13 May 2021 16:28:49 +0000

This is a great article. What about pre-made book covers? I like one and want to use it for a new cover. If I buy it, do I have to buy a license if I only change the book title and author name etc.?

Thanks,
Kay Castaneda

By: AJValentine

AJValentine — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 05:42:03 +0000

In reply to Dell. Cars and boats are branded products that are easily identified by look to their parent company. Even if you remove the license plate info you still need permission and releases from the car companies for using their product. You cannot safely use them without permissions.

By: John Tsang

John Tsang — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:16:56 +0000

I am curious. I am a newbie author who is going along the self publishing route. I am writing a book on the history of the English Parliament and the building itself. In my first draft I have included photos throughout the manuscript from Google images…then I discovered I couldn’t use any of them because Parliament only allows you to use the photographs for non commercial purposes. So I deleted everything and instead added a website link in the manuscript that pointed the reader to the Parliament 360 virtual site which basically means as the reader reads my book, they can go and look at the images themselves on the site! I now working on my book cover and included photographs of the Parliament building from google images and a few images from friends who have given me permission mostly inside the building. However as the building is a public building does it mean I can use that photo in the book cover without permission for commercial purposes. Also Parliament forbids any photography within the builidng except for two rooms. The images that were taken are from friends and colleagues. Does that mean I cannot use them…for commercial purposes(!). As to the question of fonts, I am using the fonts from Word which I am confused. If you are saying I have to buy a font, how does that work with Word fonts when my whole script is full of it. Otherwise it is a very useful article.

By: Dave Chesson

Dave Chesson — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 14:34:33 +0000

In reply to Martha Knox. Nice

By: Dave Chesson

Dave Chesson — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 14:33:45 +0000

In reply to Dell. That should do the trick.

By: Martha Knox

Martha Knox — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 19:02:06 +0000

In reply to Dave Chesson. I agree Canva is well worth it just for ancillary materials like business cards , posters , etc. never had a problem. P.S. Office Max/Office Depot does great banners, laminated, grommets for author signing displays. Fast turnaround, great work, and quality.

By: Martha Knox

Martha Knox — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:55:36 +0000

In reply to David Lofstrom. At Shuttertock you can buy 1 photo or as many as you want. I usually buy the one time 5 photo package deal. It's fair.

By: Dell

Dell — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:38:06 +0000

Hi Jonathan
I am working on a book and would like to include some photos I took out in public. May I remove license plate numbers from cars parked on the street, and numbers and names from boats sitting in the water? In other words, identifying elements from objects found in public as stated here.
Thanks
Dell

By: Dave Chesson

Dave Chesson — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 02:13:09 +0000

In reply to Angeli' D. Sorry, I don't have any services.

By: Angeli' D

Angeli' D — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 14:34:34 +0000

I want to hire you to do my book cover if you can or want to. How much do you cost?

By: Dave Chesson

Dave Chesson — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 00:26:52 +0000

In reply to Renee. It depends on the rights of the photo. Where did they purchase it and what does the licensing say you can and can't do. But most likely, you're absolutely right.

By: Renee

Renee — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:52:09 +0000

Hi there! I have a question about something I just saw mentioned in a group. Someone commented that cover designers CAN NOT use the same photo on multiple covers. I’m not saying using the same design, I mean the same photo. For example, if I have a picture of a female and I want to use her in different designs, changing her up to look different, different genres and such, according to the person on the post, that is illegal and can’t be done.
I want to respond and say they are wrong, everything I’ve read and have seen says they are wrong, but I’d like to get someone’s opinion that would actually know. If the same photo can’t be used on multiple covers, there’s a lot of designers that don’t know it.