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In this chapter, we are going to take our finalized cover design and fold it up into a 3D box-shaped image. The first step is to flatten your cover design. Go to Layer > Flatten image. You should have only one layer in your layer palette now.

Now, go to File > New and open a new 1024 X 768 document. Go back to your eCover document and right-click the single remaining layer in your layer palette, and go to Duplicate Layer… Under the Destination fieldset, you will be able to choose the target document to duplicate the layer in. Choose the document untitled-1 in the drop down menu (assuming untitled-1 is the document name of your 1024 X 768 blank document).

After this step, you should now have a copy of your eCover image on a single layer on your 1024 X 768 document. We’re going to need the extra workspace in this large document.

First, press the eye icon next to the eCover layer to hide it temporarily. We can bring it back later on, when we need to work on it, by clicking on the same spot.

Next, we are going to define the shape of our 3D box. You may use the Pen Tool to create your own outline of the box, something in a 3D perspective like the image to the left.

Alternatively, you may load the image file outline-ref.jpg which is included with this E-book to use as a reference. Just select the Pen Tool, set the mode to “Paths” (as shown in the screenshot) and click on the vertices to trace the shape of the box.

After you’re done, we’ll need to turn that into an actual outline. This can easily be done by right-clicking the canvas (with the Pen Tool still selected) and choosing Make Selection. Press OK in the dialogue box that appears without changing any options.

Now, make a new layer for the outline. Then, go to Edit > Stroke. Enter 1 px for Width and choose black for the colour. Then press OK. Now, press Enter to cancel the path and CTRL+D to deselect the selection.

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Do not for a moment think that an ebook does not require a cover. If you're going to sell your ebook to the public, go the extra half mile and get some great cover art for it. Of course your ebook is full of all your best, Grade A meat. It discusses a sought-after topic, was prepared by a solid ghostwriter, and was edited and approved by you yourself. Customers should be able to read about you on the Internet, click on a text link, and buy your book. Write it and they will come. Right?

Wrong. Even online, people continue to judge books by their covers. Look at it like this. Would you buy a book from Barnes and Noble if it were just a stack of papers stapled together? Heck no you wouldn't. For $15.95, you want something with an official binding and cover.

What would bookstores be like if every shelf held only stacks of paper held together with binder clips, large staples, rubber bands or manila folders? Even if Edgar Allen Poe wrote the pages (assuming you hadn't heard of him), and his handwritten pages were sitting there, hardly a soul would be enticed to buy.

No matter how good a book is, it must be nicely packaged. The value of a paper book is exponentially increased by the addition of nothing more than a glue binding and nice cover. Likewise, and ebook's sale-ability and appeal is exponentially increased when it is packaged with an appropriate cover.

In order to sell well, a book sitting on a retail shelf will actually have to have more than just any old cover. It will need to have a spine as well. And the pages cannot be attached with notebook rings (usually). The cover should appear to be professionally designed. In other words, a red cover from Kinko's will not make buyer's pull out their credit cards and rack up purchases. Brick and mortar booksellers know how to sell books. They do it with eye-catching displays and covers with color, catchy text, and shiny spines.

And if they really want to grab your attention with a book, they may make a special display, offer a bonus, have the author available to sign copies, or set a particular book on a particular shelf where it will be more visible to passers by.

As we all know, it's tough to sell a book! Sometimes even good covers get passed by, because other covers are more enticing! So, hear me when I tell you, don't even think of trying to market an ebook without cover art!

Consumers want to see a picture of what they're getting. And that picture has to look good. It has to make them say, "Wow, that looks like an incredible book!" You have only a second or two to grab their attention. You must do it with a picture. And the picture must be as good as it can possibly be!

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Diversity, diversity, diversity! Some people, political types in particular, are trying to make “diversity” our defining characteristic. Has anyone thought of approaching the topic from the point of “commonality”, a bonding point of view, rather than “diversity”, a dividing point of view? Using the term “diversity” appears to me to mask a hidden and potentially sinister agenda to divide and control us. The parties pursuing this line seem more interested in playing the “blame game” and law suits by using “diversity” to categorize color group rather than individual capability.

We are all unique because DNA has billions of variations which make us so, but our opportunities are not. Humans share only a few dozen needs and desires, at best, but we have a history describing how others have solved similar problems. However, today’s use of the term “diversity” tends to make some feel like victims who only use history as an excuse.

Positive self-worth is an important attribute to every person, but it comes from assuming responsibility for tasks and seeing them completed successfully. Without responsibility, we drift in a sea of self-doubt, but many are using “diversity” as a way to avert this responsibility.

“Sensitivity training” is a negative method assuming certain color groups must have special treatments for special needs. Bull! We are all special and should be treated accordingly. Special treat of sensitive groups simply allows them excuses and the escape from responsibility. The basics of Management 101 states -“don’t give responsibility without authority, or authority without responsibility.” That’s the training needed in place of “sensitivity”.

The United States thrives on individuality which has been the sparkplug of our society. When we meld this individuality with teamwork, as in companies and corporations, we have a powerful engine. Combining individual initiative and other talents with organizational management has led us to become a world leader.

Why not stress “Commonality?” Let’s find ways to cooperate and multiply our individual talents to accomplish meaningful tasks. Let’s look at what each can provide to gain the mutual goal? Let’s join together to:

Define mutual needs/wants, desires.

Gather resources available.

Develop, build, execute, and monitor a plan to this end.