If your book is part of a series or a standalone title, you can choose your own cover image. The image requires to clear permission. Here a few website where to find images and clear rights.
If your book is publishing in a series that allows for an image on the cover or it's a standalone title, you are welcome to select your own cover image. We recommend choosing an image in the public domain, or a photograph of your own, to avoid needing permission. Please see below for some sources of free or low-cost images.
If you choose an image that does require permission to use, you will need to ask the copyright holder for permission specifically for use on the front cover (e.g. commercial use). Please adapt our permissions template letter accordingly when approaching the copyright holder. Please ensure that you are securing world rights for both print and electronic publication. Any fees required by the copyright holder will need to be covered by you.
Once permission is secured, please provide us with a high-resolution (300 dpi when at least 17cm wide) JPG or TIFF of the image as well as a caption for the image, including the copyright information.
Potential sources for images:
Public domain images: Free for use
- Wikimedia Commons: user-uploaded images or images from other online sources, mostly in the public domain, but check the ‘Licensing’ section
- Unsplash: user-uploaded high-resolution photos, usually public domain, but check for restrictions
- Flickr Commons: photographs from public archives and cultural heritage institutions, in the public domain
Royalty-free stock images: Free for use
Low-cost stock images: Please ensure you pay the fee for commercial use