For better
or worse, books ARE judged by their covers.
That can be a GOOD thing.
When you're self-publishing, it's absolutely critical to have a high-quality, creative
cover with a lot of zing to make your book look 100% professional. I've worked with self-publishers in the past and I realize
that you're usually dealing with small budgets to produce your books. With this in mind, I have two cover packages specifically
for self-publishers with rates at or below those charged by most self-publishing companies and with a much greater wow-factor:
Basic Package ($250.00): We'll discuss concepts for your cover as you envision it, as well as my input. I'll do a photo search for image elements I think would be good, and
send you the imagery for your approval to make sure we're "on the same page," so to speak! From there, I'll design
an eye-popping cover that will make readers gravitate to your book. This package is for those whose covers don't need very
extensive photo-retouching or image manipulation. (Please contact me if you have questions about this—SOME retouching
is always acceptable with the Basic Package.) If you really don't know what you want, this is for you! I'll create a cover
that you feel very proud of.
*With this package I will do a 15-minute revision/change
to the cover if desired. A 15-minute revision would include changes such as swiching color or font choice for the title or
resizing an image slightly. It does NOT include intensive photo-retouching work as part of the revision. (For example, turning
a tap-dancing labrador retriever into a poodle playing cards does not count as
a 15-minute revision!)
Full Package ($400.00):
This is the package for someone who has a very specific and detailed idea with many elements that must be Photoshopped together,
or for someone who might want to make susbstantial changes after the original design. An example of a cover with extensive
retouching is "The Last Celtic Angel" on the previous page. The author had a very specific vision which I had to
create: an Irish-looking girl with red hair flowing in the wind on a specific breed of black horse in a field with a tree
under a storm-cloud-laden sky, which a face coming out of the clouds that resembled a particular actor. (As you can imagine,
this is an extreme example, but you get the idea!)
A Word on Rates: You won't find a better deal on high-quality, truly customized work. There are services that create designs for slightly
less, but these services utilize cover software programs and stock images, WITHOUT any retouching or photo-manipulation. In
other words, they largely have a similar, amateur-ish aesthetic and lack the look of a creative studio design. My covers are
truly one-of-a-kind and will make your book stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Half of the payment is due upon my starting your job and may be paid through PayPal; the balance is due when I send
you the final low-res image. I will send the high-res image for printing upon payment in full.
Formatting: I will format front
and back covers with text as per your publisher's specifications. You must provide me with the correct specs, templates, etc.
Please know the size of your book, including the spine dimensions.
Back cover
text writing and editing ($75): Writers often stumble when it comes to writing the
back cover text for their books in the 3rd-person voice. As a writer and proofreader, I have solid experience helping authors
craft an engaging synopsis. Give me the key points, and I'll make it read beautifully.
Happy Self-Publishing!
