Tuesday Marketing *Creating Pictures, Logos, Book covers, using Microsoft Word*

Hey, how are you? I am well and busy preparing for the book clubs first library tour and for my first workshop with more than five people. Yes, I do feel intimidated a little! But I have been practicing in the mirror and in my living room, walking up and down pretending that I am walking aisles. I will tell you more about how I am preparing, myself later in another Talk, for now, let me get into why we are here.

Several weeks ago, I promised to share what I learned about making covers and pictures in Microsoft word. Yeah, that information is in my book as well, *Kim’s Do It Yourself Guide To Self-Publishing*. For those who do not have my DIY book, this information is for you. Enjoy, practice, and I hope that it makes your journey easier in some way.

You can use the steps below to make book covers, pictures, logos, and so much more for your business or yourself.

Step 1- Insert a shape to use as the background of your logo. From the Insert tab, point to Shapes in the Illustrations group. Click the shape to use and drag it to the size and position you want it on in the document.

Step 2- Click the shape to the amount of filler and whether it has an outline. Select the shape, and then click "Shape Fill" in the Shape Styles group. Choose a single color or point to Gradient, and then select "More Gradients." Select "Gradient Fill," and then select a preset color combination or create your own. Click "Shape Outline," and then either choose a line color or remove it by selecting "No Outline."

Step 3- Add text using the Insert tab and clicking "WordArt" in the Text group. Click the WordArt style you prefer, and then drag it in front of the shape. Select the sample text, choose a font from the Font list on the Home tab, and then type in your text over the sample text.

Step 4- Add text effects from the Font group on the Home tab. Select your text and click the "Text Effects" drop-down. Choose "Outline" to choose a different line color or style. Point to "Shadow," "Reflection" or "Glow" to add one or more of these effects to your text.

Step 5-Group the text and image together. Press and hold the "shift" key and then select each object. Go to the Drawing Tools "Format" tab and click "Group" in the Arrange group. Select "Group" from the drop-down list.

Step 6-Save the grouped objects as a single image. Select the grouped objects, and then press "Ctrl-X" to cut the group. Right-click the document, and then choose "Picture" under Paste Options. Right-click the pasted logo, and then choose "Save as Picture."

Select a file type, enter a file name and navigate to the location where you wish to keep your new logo. Click "Save."

I have made three book covers all by myself. It takes practice, trial, and error to get what you want. My covers, in my opinion, don’t look all that bad, and I am improving with each one. So my suggestions are to take your time and play around a bit first, then design away. You can also use or give your design to a graphic designer to help them develop your book cover.

I will be sharing more about making book covers and other publishing resources during my first workshop for a Women’s Conference on September 8th in Richmond Virginia. If you are interested in learning more, come out and join us. I will leave the information below.

As always, share and share some more…

Kim L. Walton, Indie Writer, Self-Published Author of 3 books

Founder of Southside Book and Writers Club

www.kimlwalton.com

Kim_walton@yahoo.com

Facebook@southsidebookandwritersclub

Twitter@kim_L_walton

Richmond, Virginia

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