The Kindle book cover would also probably be used for the Amazon thumbnail image, as well as other marketing purposes.  Standard template sure, but little things do make a difference, and tweaking is a smart thing to do.<p>There will be room for quality design in e-publishing, just like there is in print.<p>$3000 would be a lot for self- or niche-publishing, but if I were making a mass market attempt, I could see spending that much.  It makes a difference.