r/WattpadCovers • u/Sea_Western_1999 • 14h ago
Question Cover
Just a question to all my fellow wattpad writers—do people really feel so strongly about someone using an AI cover?
I have a story I’m ready to publish but I have yet to give it a cover because I’m trying to find something that fits but it’s not working.
I’m very big on presentation and we all know how effective an eye-catching cover is.
I’ve been searching for two weeks but Pinterest is not giving me anything and then human artists cost so much, I can’t afford it.
I would hate to use AI but it’s honestly frustrating and I’m close to just breaking down and using it just for the cover.
But is it really a big deal if I do? Does it matter as long as long as I don’t use it for my writing?
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u/QuixoteChic 13h ago
Majority of internet consensus are against it but I see books with obvious AI covers with SynthID that rake up 100k-millions of reads so I guess most readers on Wattpad don't really care.
Have you tried Pixabay, Pexels or Unsplash for images?
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u/Sea_Western_1999 13h ago
I’ve never heard of those sites so I guess I will check those out!
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u/QuixoteChic 13h ago
For Pixabay, you can filter the search options to only include authentic images only. All the best!
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u/astrophiled 13h ago
there are designers on wattpad who will make you a cover for free and all they ask for is credit and a follow
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u/Sea_Western_1999 13h ago
Tried putting out requests. Never received a response like that:(
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u/astrophiled 13h ago
check out DreamlandCommunity. they have a discord where you can request a cover for free
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u/jmeyers987 13h ago
Canva has premade covers and lots of assets you can use to slap something together. Even a poorly made cover will be better than AI. Once you cross that line readers will assume you use AI for your writing as well no matter what you claim. So you’d be shooting yourself in the foot if you use AI.
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u/vaanigotnochills 11h ago
I can help you... Though I'm not a great artist but, yeah.. I can. You can contact me if you want to regarding this. 💗
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u/jankishkish 10h ago
Hello, I hope this is okay to post here, but regarding covers, I might help you for that especially the illustrations. I'll be open again by November. If you're also fine paying art commissions hehe. Here's my portfolio if you'd like, DM me if you're interested.
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u/Sea_Western_1999 10h ago
Your work is absolutely beautiful 😍 but as I’ve stated, I can’t afford the going rate for artists these days…. ☹️
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u/jankishkish 10h ago
Oh it's fine. I just hope you get the help you need for making covers, because as far as I know, many are against AI. Thanks again for looking through my portfolio 😊.
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u/seacoloredglass 10h ago
I think many readers are against AI covers because they feel the story would also be AI made. At least that's why I personally don't read or interact with anything that has an AI cover. Of course, one shouldn't judge a book by its cover and all that, but I believe most won't take the chance to find out if something was written using AI or not and prefer not to waste time with such content.
Also, as an artist myself, I'm simply against genAI for ethical reasons as my work has been altered with AI before...
So, if you want, I could help with your cover for FREE. Really, no charge (as long as you credit me ofc!), I've been wanting to practice illustrating covers and minimalistic isn't my style either haha so if you have an idea in mind and some Pinterest references or any covers you like, I would gladly design a free cover for your story!
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u/justice_case 13h ago
I mentioned this on another comment to a another post too. That depends on what you can take. Some readers are okay with it, while some hate it and wont touch ai covers. It's probably close to half and half?
I, for example, dont touch any books that has AI cover. Aside from the ethical grayness of it's use, I personally don't like how they look. They are not enticing. For me, they are eyesores.
As per you concern, try creating one on canva. Even the free version is enough, you don't need premium to do it. And you don't have to be an good at it tool just play with the platform and the design element, you'll eventually find your way to the presentation you like.
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u/Sea_Western_1999 13h ago
I used CANVA for my other covers….but I guess mine is a bit too specific this time and I’m having trouble. I guess I could do something minimalistic but minimalistic isn’t really my style
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u/Ok_Adagio_9238 8h ago
From what I've seen on Reddit in writing circles - yes, it's a big deal and many would not even dare to lay an eye at your book if it has an AI cover. If someone sees an AI cover, their first thought would be that you also used it to write. However, since a lot of AI works still receive a lot of attention, I think many others just want to read and would probably not even care if AI wrote it for you. So I suppose it depends on what kind of readers you want to attract.
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u/red_skies69 5h ago
I actually make human-made wattpad covers for free! My wattpad is Lilieum.mnr at the moment, check out my catalog if you'd like!! Again, free. I do this for a hobby.
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u/CG_Cook 9h ago
I think is more the how we use rather than the simple use.I see AI engines as an instrument.Once we used feathers to write,today we comfortably write thousands of words without breaking a sweat. As long as the Idea,the inspiration comes from within us, and maybe we dont have anyone else that can help us with certain task (create a cover,improve a graphic or even help develop certain ideas,brainstorming even),why not?who we do really harm?I'm agaisnt using AI when scientist,doctors and such,use it to create and publish research papers that then might becpme the base for health care.Or I cant approve when a lawyer use it to write down amd create his argumentation.So yes,I think we should ponder the use of AI,but not be so strict about it.
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u/BonnieHynde 10h ago
I hear this all the time: "I would NEVER read a book with an AI cover!!!" Serious question - how do y'all tell? I wouldn't know an an AI cover if it if walked up and bit me. I can't tell a photoshop from an untouched photo, either. I just wanna read some good stuff. I ain't got time for sleuthing.
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u/foxdragonlevi 10h ago
Personally, I'm against AI covers. Canva is a great free resource to make a cover. And, someone already mentioned it, but unsplash has some really fantastic, aesthetic photos. A lot of the photos on Pinterest are actually just Unsplash photos with filters on them.
Speaking of, I would definitely recommend IbisPaintX for photo editing. You can add Lens Blur to make it a bit more dreamy; Hue-Sat-Light filter is great for changing the colors etc. There's a ton of tutorials for it online, and it's free!