I've been asked by the incredibly gifted Lucyface to help her out with a tutorial! *Gasp!* I can't believe it! LOL - so I hope I do her justice and without further ado, here's how I create book covers! XD

I'll go through two tutorials where I've used different base programs. All of the sites I use are free; I do not use Photoshop (PS) nor pay for any of my photos, fonts, etc. Additionally, some extra info will be posted at the bottom. :D

Canva: (Web/mobile)

Because I did not do much editing or blending, there aren't "steps" I went through with this cover. As Canva sort of limits what you can do (if you're using the free deal), I can't do what I could with Pixlr. Additionally, Canva, unlike Pixlr or PS, does not use layers -- but it allows you to reorder objects seen here with the purple banner and the main photo pushed back. HOWEVER, before you forgo the program, there are very nice features. 1. Templates: You can drag in elements. For this cover, I took inspiration from the "Lion's City" template, made the banner transparent, and deleted the lion in the foreground. I chose colors that I thought would compliment the background but not take away the whole focus of the photo. 

 Pixlr: (Web)

First, I found a photo I liked. Since the book's mood is darker and the genre gray romance, I wanted to have a blackish backdrop. The MC is a pianist and the book's title is Chopin. Anyway, I just used the paint tool, set to 200 circular, unsharpened brush to darken the top and bottom. I might fancy a double exposure effect in the future.

From here, I searched for a font. This one is called Xtreem, and it's my favorite font! I used FontSpace (the default font app in my Mac), typed in "Chopin" and then screen shot. (Shift+command+4)

This is called a texture image, and you'll see how double exposure works with it.

To double exposure, you take the black text/image (should be .jpg or .jpeg --- so it has a white background), select a textured photo (mine is gold), drag it on top of the black and white text. From there, you have two layers. The text and texture. Take the texture and then change the photo mode to "Lighten" or "Screen" it'll depend on the photo/texture you use.

Here's the finished product!

One last more. A perfect example of varying double exposure effects.

Sources:

Canva - App/Web versions || While I always prefer doing covers via web, I have done covers with the app so many times! Since my chosen form of cover is minimalistic, it's perfect for me. That being said, it is NOT Pixlr. It is severely rudimentary and just lets you work with templates.

Pixlr - App/Web versions || I do not recommend trying to make a cover with the app version. I don't actually use Pixlr's app for that reason. :/ However, the Chrome extension is extremely nice!!!! I use it for anything with the slightest amount of text alteration/manip. XD