BWFoster78
Myth Weaver
Actually, you can get some *really* good cover art these days for $25-100. Nice, polished, very crisp designs, etc.
You can also pay thousands of dollars for cover art. And the art that you pay a thousand bucks for will be better than the $100 art. But here's the thing: people are going to be viewing your cover art mostly at postage stamp size. That's the size it needs to sell them at. Which means the designs need to be a lot different from the elaborate paintings we once saw dominate cover art. They need to be crisp, clean design with lettering that stands out in very clear fonts. Simple designs work better than complex ones.
The design still ought to evoke the story, however, and the fonts used should look professional, and be properly placed. All that takes some art and design skill. But your hundred dollar cover might be 98% as effective as the thousand dollar one. So the indie writer makes a decision: is that other 2% worth $900? Usually not.
Any links to where I can get $25-50 cover art? I had been planning on forgoing it for my novelette, but, if I can get it for that cheap, it's worth it.