Caution! Handle Pictures With Care!

Why You Can’t Just Grab That Image: What Every Author Needs to Know About Using Pictures in Your Book

When you’ve spent months (or years) writing your book, finding the perfect image to bring it to life can feel like the final flourish. Whether it’s a striking cover photo, a beautiful chapter header, or a little illustration that adds personality — the right image can make your book shine.

But here’s the thing — it’s not just about how good it looks. It’s about whether you have the right to use it. And as the author, that responsibility sits squarely on your shoulders.

This isn’t meant to sound scary, but I’ve seen too many brilliant books get pulled, delisted, or even land their authors in legal trouble, or their Amazon accounts getting blocked because someone didn’t think twice before using an image they “found online”.

So, let’s talk about what you can and can’t do — and how to keep your book safe and professional.

“But it’s on Google, so it’s free, right?”

I'm afraid not.

The internet makes it look like everything is up for grabs, but almost every image online is automatically protected by copyright — whether it says so or not. If you right-click and save something from Google Images or Pinterest, you’re not just borrowing it — you’re potentially infringing on someone’s intellectual property.

It doesn’t matter if you:

• Credit the creator

• Only use part of the image

• Aren’t charging money for your book (even free books count!)

If you don’t have permission, you’re technically breaking copyright law. And the platforms that host your book — Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, you name it — take that very seriously.

They don’t investigate whether you meant to infringe. If they get a complaint, they’ll pull your book first and ask questions later.

What counts as “having the rights”?

There are a few ways to safely use an image in your book:

1. Create it yourself
   This is the simplest and safest option. Take your own photos, design your own graphics, or hire a professional to make them for you. If you pay someone to create an image, make sure you have written confirmation that you own the rights to use it commercially (not just for personal use).

2. Buy a licence from a reputable stock site
   Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Depositphotos sell commercial licences. This means you’re paying for the right to use that image in your book. Read the small print — most standard licences cover book use, but there are limits if you’re planning to sell merchandise or huge print runs.

3. Use free-for-commercial-use images from trusted sources
   Sites like Creative Fabrica, Unsplash and Pexels offer images you can use without paying, but even then, the onus is on you to double-check that the uploader really had the rights to share it. I’ve heard about stolen images ending up on those sites before, so always be cautious.

4. Get written permission
   If you’ve found an image you really want to use and can't find or create an alternative, contact the creator directly. Many photographers and artists are happy to grant permission — sometimes for free, sometimes for a small fee. Just make sure you get their consent in writing, including that it’s for commercial use.

“But I used an AI tool — doesn’t that make it mine?”

This is where things get murky. AI-generated images are a legal grey area, and the rules are changing all the time.

Right now, the safest approach is to assume that if an AI tool was trained on copyrighted material (and most were), you might not have full rights to use what it creates commercially — especially for a book cover or illustration.

If you do use AI-generated art, make sure the platform you’re using explicitly states that you own the commercial rights. (Some, like Adobe Firefly, are trained on licensed content and are safer to use.)

But if there’s any doubt — don’t risk it. Your book is worth more than a potential copyright headache.

And this is just one of the reasons we use a professional graphic designer to create our book covers at Jo Wildsmith Publishing. Also, he's much better at it than the rest of us could ever be!

Why it matters (even if no one’s checking)

You might think, “Who’s going to notice? My book’s only selling a few copies a month.” But copyright issues can come back years later — when your book suddenly gains traction and then someone spots their photo on your cover.

Protecting yourself isn’t just about avoiding trouble — it’s about respecting other creators, the same way you’d want your own writing respected.

And there’s a side benefit too — when you use your own images or ones you’ve properly licensed, your book instantly looks more polished and professional. You’re showing readers (and retailers) that you take your work seriously.

Again, our covers are professionally done, and you can tell.

My rule of thumb

If you didn’t create it, pay for it, or get clear permission to use it — don’t include it.

That applies to everything from photos and illustrations to fonts, diagrams, and even background textures. Always err on the side of caution.

Double-check everything that goes in, because once that book is out there, your name is on it. And your reputation as an author is worth protecting.

In short

Images make books beautiful, but only if they’re used legally and ethically.

Take ownership of every visual element in your book. It’s part of your brand, your message, and your professionalism as an author.

Because in publishing, ignorance isn’t a defence and prevention is always cheaper than cure.