Canva

This just dug me out of a hole. I'm self-publishing a story on an online platform and needed a book cover. Wasn't about to buy one for a free book, and know that my design skills leave a lot to be desired. I'm a total technonumpty.

This online software allows you to throw together something acceptable with minimal effort. A useful emergency tool when you need a simple Kindle cover, Facebook banner or promotional poster. Just head to Canva, click create a design, type book cover and away you go. 

First, choose a template from the top left menu, then drag/drop a background over the template to give it texture and depth, then play about with the font.

It's extremely simple but quite effective if you don't have the money to pay a designer or your project isn't important enough to warrant one. There's also an option to upgrade and access many more designs and features. After a thirty-day free trial, it's $12.95 per month pay-as-you-go, or $9.95 ($119.40) on an annual subscription.