Story(Time)Line
Tips, tutorials, and inspirations from my own creative journey — what I find, learn, and build along the way.
Quick walkthrough of exporting your timeline as OPML and importing straight into Scrivener’s binder. Clean structure, notes included — ready to outline scenes.
When I was working on the marketing and ads for my novel A Guitar Named Swampy, I wanted something fast, easy, and free. Even though I have a background in design, I know most authors don’t — and honestly, you shouldn’t have to be a graphic designer or pay for templates just to make your book look professional online.
That’s when I discovered this completely free online mockup generator — a total hidden gem. No Photoshop, no plugins, no fees. Just upload your cover, pick a style, and in seconds you get high-quality visuals ready for social media, Amazon ads, or your author website.
You can instantly create realistic mockups of your paperback, iPad, and iPhone covers. It’s faster and better than most paid templates on Envato or Creative Market — and 100% free to use.
From the creator’s website:
“Just pick a template and upload your cover, and our in-house team of computer gremlins will work their magic... instantly. These book mockups and 3D devices were carefully selected and can be arranged into limitless unique pairings and groups. Combine them with the free templates at DIYBookCovers.com for some eye-catching book marketing graphics you can use on social media, launch emails, or advertising campaigns.”
Here’s a look at some of the available templates:
And here’s how I used it for A Guitar Named Swampy:
If you’re a self-published author, indie creator, or just need quick visuals without paying or learning design software, this tool is perfect — simple, fast, and truly free.
👉 Try it yourself: DIYBookCovers.com/3Dmockups