And I am one of the people who was told by Kayley that she would be out of town, and offline. I also spoke with Toojoyful00 about the matter, and it has since been cleared up. So sorry Kayley was misunderstood.
Cover Design
- Thread starter DoomieBey
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A consideration when searching for cover artists... does the artist you're looking at promote the book?
As an example WillowRaven is a name well known to people who promote books on websites. When she does a cover she is all over the web telling people about it, entering it in contests and telling everybody about that.
She's a pretty good designer also. Probably not as good an artist as some, but excellent at design.
There has been some very nice work displayed in this thread, but promotional zeal is also a consideration.
She charges about $300 a cover, last I heard. Which seems like sort of the standard price for web-based designers.
As an example WillowRaven is a name well known to people who promote books on websites. When she does a cover she is all over the web telling people about it, entering it in contests and telling everybody about that.
She's a pretty good designer also. Probably not as good an artist as some, but excellent at design.
There has been some very nice work displayed in this thread, but promotional zeal is also a consideration.
She charges about $300 a cover, last I heard. Which seems like sort of the standard price for web-based designers.
Team 2012:
I didn't know that cover artists did that much. Is that the standard? Or is she [WillowRaven] and exceptional exception? In my case, since both Tabitha Todd and Kayley offered to do a cover for me with no financial obligation from me - save for listing them as the cover artist in the book itself, and recommending their services to others [who would have to pay, of course] - I wouldn't dare ask such a thing of either one of them. Especially given the fact that the work itself is not easy.
All the same, I would hope that they - or whomever - would list my book cover as a part of their work portfolio.
I didn't know that cover artists did that much. Is that the standard? Or is she [WillowRaven] and exceptional exception? In my case, since both Tabitha Todd and Kayley offered to do a cover for me with no financial obligation from me - save for listing them as the cover artist in the book itself, and recommending their services to others [who would have to pay, of course] - I wouldn't dare ask such a thing of either one of them. Especially given the fact that the work itself is not easy.
All the same, I would hope that they - or whomever - would list my book cover as a part of their work portfolio.
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Good question. There are others who promo contest entries and such.
Please don't misunderstand. we're not trying to steer anybody away from the people in this thread. They do nice work and it's pretty impossible to get a better deal than free. And it's always nice to work with people you know, anyway.
Mostly, we were just raising a point people might want to keep in mind when looking for cover artists.
No no, no misunderstanding - at least not on my part. I honestly appreciate you posting what you have. There may be, or will be, others who could use the information. And as for the other two members offering "free" services:
Well, it's not that they are not in the business to make money for what they do. I believe that in the case of Tabitha Todd and Kayley, some people do random acts of kindness. And I happen to be the recipient of such an act at the right time. Because if one would view the work that they, as well as Elae, have on their websites, one would quickly be able to determine that I'm very fortunate; or lucky, if there is such a thing.
And generally, I am wary of things that come free or almost free. While it is true that in some cases the best things in life are free; there are times when "you get what you paid for" results. So I'm not out looking for freebies per se. But the work you have is nice and certainly looks worth the fee.
Well, it's not that they are not in the business to make money for what they do. I believe that in the case of Tabitha Todd and Kayley, some people do random acts of kindness. And I happen to be the recipient of such an act at the right time. Because if one would view the work that they, as well as Elae, have on their websites, one would quickly be able to determine that I'm very fortunate; or lucky, if there is such a thing.
And generally, I am wary of things that come free or almost free. While it is true that in some cases the best things in life are free; there are times when "you get what you paid for" results. So I'm not out looking for freebies per se. But the work you have is nice and certainly looks worth the fee.
Man, I'm so glad you're someone on the buying side that understands the "you get what you pay for" idea. I've seen too many writers that can't sell a book because they simply didn't want to pay for a good artist.
Pound it.
Pound it.
Thanks,. I know because I've tried the economical route, which backfired, on too many occasions. "Bump" that. Now, as it concerns books: I don't have a library, but I've purchased enough books to know that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words; and a catchy but relavent title is like a beautiful picture.
I am also a believer that only experts of a particular field, or famous [if not infamous] people should use an image of themselves on the cover. IMHO, the adage of, "it's what's inside that counts", actually only apply to people - not books.
I am also a believer that only experts of a particular field, or famous [if not infamous] people should use an image of themselves on the cover. IMHO, the adage of, "it's what's inside that counts", actually only apply to people - not books.
Man, I'm so glad you're someone on the buying side that understands the "you get what you pay for" idea. I've seen too many writers that can't sell a book because they simply didn't want to pay for a good artist.
Pound it.
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Amen.
Maybe you can't tell a book by the cover, but seeing some awkwardly configured Poser character with a face like a mannequin in a trashy juniors boutique just has to say something about what's inside.
$300 sounds like a pretty good deal for original work. I wonder if you could get someone at DeviantArt to do something for you.
Here's my attempt at doing a book cover:
Spent two weeks on it trying to learn the ins and outs of Photoshop and Illustrator. I know a decent artist could do a lot better in a lot less time, but I had a specific vision for the layout, started doing mock-ups for the publisher's artist, then just kept playing with it until I was satisfied.
Here's my attempt at doing a book cover:
Spent two weeks on it trying to learn the ins and outs of Photoshop and Illustrator. I know a decent artist could do a lot better in a lot less time, but I had a specific vision for the layout, started doing mock-ups for the publisher's artist, then just kept playing with it until I was satisfied.
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As a graphics artist, no cover artists do not "promo" the book. Our job is to create your cover, not promote your book. Promotion of the book is your publisher's job and your agent's job. If you are EPub or POD, that then is the onus that lays on your shoulders.
My rates are 250 or lower (depending on what it is you want and what technical support you require. For example, conversion to PDF, help uploading to something like Lulu.com, changes to an existing cover, custom cover, ect). I also provide a front cover, 300DPI a la cart for around 75 to 100 CND.
I low ball for a reason, I believe everyone should have quality for an affordable price. I've been a graphics designer since 1999 and have been running my own company since 2004 officially (unofficial since 1999 after I graduated with my bachelors from college).
My rates are 250 or lower (depending on what it is you want and what technical support you require. For example, conversion to PDF, help uploading to something like Lulu.com, changes to an existing cover, custom cover, ect). I also provide a front cover, 300DPI a la cart for around 75 to 100 CND.
I low ball for a reason, I believe everyone should have quality for an affordable price. I've been a graphics designer since 1999 and have been running my own company since 2004 officially (unofficial since 1999 after I graduated with my bachelors from college).
I also promo a book/or most books that I design, but only on facebook and my own design website. I think it helps both author and cover artist to put the work out there. There are of course covers I've missed promo-ing, and I usually ask permission from the author to promo it. They often are happy and send a blurb or excerpt to go along with it.
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Some other cover artists others have used:
http://www.sanjanasart.com/
http://www.dancaster.com/
http://www.donmichaeljr.com/
http://www.elfhunter.net/
http://scatteredcomics.deviantart.com/
http://www.carlarene.com/
http://teryvisions.com/
http://www.streetlightgraphics.com/
http://extendedimagery.com/
http://www.waywardsunstudio.com/
http://intensewhisp.deviantart.com/gallery/26789333
http://www.stewartwilliamsdesign.com
http://elenadudina.deviantart.com/
http://jeroentenberge.com/
http://www.jsimmonsillustration.com/
http://www.tarashuler.com/cover-design-service/
http://www.mojitopressplus.com
http://crocodesigns.deviantart.com/
http://www.behance.net/gallery/MWM-Illustration-Gallery/609038
http://www.razzdazzdesign.com/
http://ludeshka.deviantart.com/
I used http://extendedimagery.com/ for Venom. He's quite good. I used http://teryvisions.com/ for Kinshield and Wayfarer. You can see the quality of her work in my sig.
http://www.sanjanasart.com/
http://www.dancaster.com/
http://www.donmichaeljr.com/
http://www.elfhunter.net/
http://scatteredcomics.deviantart.com/
http://www.carlarene.com/
http://teryvisions.com/
http://www.streetlightgraphics.com/
http://extendedimagery.com/
http://www.waywardsunstudio.com/
http://intensewhisp.deviantart.com/gallery/26789333
http://www.stewartwilliamsdesign.com
http://elenadudina.deviantart.com/
http://jeroentenberge.com/
http://www.jsimmonsillustration.com/
http://www.tarashuler.com/cover-design-service/
http://www.mojitopressplus.com
http://crocodesigns.deviantart.com/
http://www.behance.net/gallery/MWM-Illustration-Gallery/609038
http://www.razzdazzdesign.com/
http://ludeshka.deviantart.com/
I used http://extendedimagery.com/ for Venom. He's quite good. I used http://teryvisions.com/ for Kinshield and Wayfarer. You can see the quality of her work in my sig.
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Coming late to the party, but do want to say to elae that your cover is spectacular.
I can vouch for J.Simmons (on the above list). He did mine. Professional, easy to work with, responsive, and he features covers on his site. He's done hundreds of covers for audio books and is now expanding to ebooks.
I can vouch for J.Simmons (on the above list). He did mine. Professional, easy to work with, responsive, and he features covers on his site. He's done hundreds of covers for audio books and is now expanding to ebooks.
Well if you're still looking (obviously I'm a bit late) feel free to check out my website (url in signature), where I'm selling cover designs for $35 only. I'm open to commissions, and have samples available on my website. Best of luck!
Best of luck!