Finally got to creating my book cover. My first attempts where shot down dramatically, by my own daughter (designer) and my stepdaughter (artist). 😆 Of course I didn’t believe them at first, but then I found out that the critics' report from https://www.diybookcovers.com/ completely agreed with their opinions. Learnt a lesson (or two). ☺️ The picture is mine (Wat Arun temple in Bangkok). I have created it in Canva. Dimensions are as stipulated by Amazon KDP: 1600 width and 2560 height. I've run it through the website above several times and refined it with Gemini; this is version 9.b. 😗 Second pic shows the progression from really bad to where it is now. Feedback welcome.🙏

I uploaded my book and book cover. Where can I look for reviews? And where can I see other members' books?

As a new member here, I'm curious to learn from everyone. What's one lesson about writing or publishing that you wish you had known before you started? I'm still learning every day, and I think conversations like this can help both new and experienced authors. Looking forward to reading your answers!

First, life is unfair. Sometimes people are judged by gender, by race, and by other stupid reasons. And some people have a disadvantage in their access to the largest book market in the world. Publishers living outside of the U.S. cannot use their networks (distant contacts, colleagues, etc.) for reviews of their paperback books. And reviews of other people's paperback books are challenging and pricey for them. It is sad, but that is life. But it's not set in stone. I started by searching for a freelancer on Fiverr to receive my Amazon orders and send me photos of the books. In the process, I realized that I didn't need a person, but a mailbox, and such a task is much easier. This week my first order was delivered, and I got my photos of the books. Delivery was free instead of, basically, double the price for U.S.-to-Finland delivery. Delivery was in two days instead of two to three weeks. And it cost me $10 a month, plus $1 for photos of all the books in the package. Now I feel much better about the position of non-U.S. publishers. Funny observation: issuing a power of attorney for mail receipt in the U.S. is so 1900s-ish; I feel like I visited a museum of human history. It cost $25, but it's a one-time cost. I'm not sure; it seems I can give a link to get a $10 discount for the service I am using, but it's untested. Ask me if you want to try it. ⚠️ Public service announcement: Just in case it's not obvious to somebody, I will say it loudly - do not try to order your own books to your mailbox to review them.