Question 1

What's your design process?

Accepted Answer

First, you need to contact me so I can send you a creative brief. This allows me to learn more about your book and target audience. I require a 50% deposit to confirm your booking before work can begin. Then I research typography, layouts, imagery, and colors to create a bespoke mood board for your cover to ensure I'm visually interpreting your story and themes correctly. This step helps us hone in on the ideas that most appeal to you so I can focus on those for your concepts.

I deliver three concepts for your cover within 10 business days, or three formatted and styled chapters for your interior within five business days. These first drafts aren't finished versions of your book. Together, we'll revise and refine until everything is just the way you want it. This is why I offer unlimited revisions for my cover designs.

Once everything is approved, I'll send the final invoice for the remaining 50% due. After  payment is confirmed, I deliver your final files.

Question 2

What information do you need?

Accepted Answer

For your cover design, I need the following details:

Title, subtitle, and author’s name
Any additional text you want to see included on the front cover
A book synopsis or selection of chapters I can read to become more familiar with your story
Your book's genre
Any details you'd like to see included on your cover
Whether you need a print book, an ebook, or both
Your book's trim size and final page count
The platform or publishing house you're printing with
Whether you're printing a paperback, hardcover, or hardcover with dust jacket
Whether you're printing on cream or white paper
Blurb for the back cover 
Your bio and photo (if including)
ISBN(s), price, and barcode
Publisher's name and logo (if including)

For interior typesetting, this is what I need:

Your book cover
Title, subtitle, and author’s name
Publisher's name and logo (if including)
Any custom copyright information you'd like included with the standard language
Your final, edited manuscript—preferably in Word or another reflowable format
All images sent as separate JPG, PNG, PSD, or AI files (if including)
Whether you need a print book, an ebook, or both
Your book's trim size
Whether you're printing on cream or white paper
Your bio and photo (if including)
ISBN(s)
Any details you'd like to see included in your book, such as custom chapter headers, drop caps, and ornamentation breaks

Question 3

Do you specialize in any genres?

Accepted Answer

While I've designed for all fiction genres and several nonfiction ones, I've found my style works particularly well for contemporary fiction and historical fiction.

Question 4

Do you use stock images?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though I do my best to source images from public-domain or CC-licensed resources first. If stock imagery is required, there will be an additional cost. But I stick to inexpensive stock providers to keep costs as low as possible for you: Shutterstock, Depositphotos, Adobe Stock, Envato Elements, etc. I use only licensed, royalty-free stock images from these resources.

Question 5

Do you use AI?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it's always last on my list of options, and I treat it like I do other stock imagery: meaning I never use the images as is.

I will always try to source artwork for your book first from public-domain or CC-licensed sources, then royalty-free stock sites such as Adobe Stock and Shutterstock. I also will create custom photos and drawings on occasion if I have the materials on hand to bring my vision for your story to life.

If I'm unable to find or create the perfect image I have in my head from all those sources, that's when I turn to AI to fill the gap. It's a great tool for creating unique images that don't yet exist, and it allows me to find that starting stock image I have in mind for your cover and build on it.

AI images, just like stock images, are never perfect right out of the box. I find additional images to create unique composites and use my design programs to further manipulate the images until they are a unique reflection of your story.

If you prefer no use of AI in the creation of your book design, I'm happy to honor your request. Just let me know when you contact me or submit your creative brief.

Question 6

What if I have my own image for the cover?

Accepted Answer

We can absolutely incorporate your image if it's properly licensed and at least 300dpi. If the resolution isn't high enough, I will do my best to find another image that comes close to your original.

Question 7

What if I don't know my final page count, trim size, or cover blurb?

Accepted Answer

That's fine! We can start the design process and adjust things later when you do have the information.

Question 8

Do you generate a barcode?

Accepted Answer

I can if you provide me with your ISBN. If you're using Amazon's free ISBN, they will create the barcode for you when you upload your cover. If you're using IngramSpark, they will include the barcode on your cover template when you enter your ISBN.

Question 9

Do you provide discounts for book series?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I offer $200 off the total cost of each cover after the first in the series. In other words, you pay full price for book one, but book two will be $200 off full price, book 3 will also be $200 off full price, and so on.

Question 10

Is there any sort of satisfaction guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I provide unlimited revisions until I absolutely get it right for you. But if we're unable to make the magic happen, I waive the final 50% of my fee.

Frequently Asked Questions