Dear client,
After you receive the COVER BRIEF from us (will be sent to you via email),
please take a few minutes to read these guidelines before filling out the design brief. A correctly completed brief decreases unnecessary revisions, saving you time and money.
Revisions that result from an incorrect or incomplete brief will incur extra charges.
After you receive the COVER BRIEF from us (will be sent to you via email),
please take a few minutes to read these guidelines before filling out the design brief. A correctly completed brief decreases unnecessary revisions, saving you time and money.
Revisions that result from an incorrect or incomplete brief will incur extra charges.
Section 1: print cover specifications
If you don't yet know the final page count for the paperback, that is okay. You can:
Extra Charges:
- Leave it blank for now and provide the page count later, when we start working on the cover
- Order ebook cover only, then come back for a "paperback add-on" later, when you have the specs. We can do an add-on within two weeks from the request.
- Ask us to design a paperback using an approximate page count, then update the spine when you know the final page count. There is no extra charge for updating the spine in this case, and we will need one week to do it. Note: In this case, we need to know the trim size before we start working on the paperback.
Extra Charges:
- Changes to trim size after we start work on a print cover - $40 per book.
- Changes to page count or blurb after the final files have been handed over - $25 for page count change, $25 for blurb change ( excluding the first change in point #3 from above)
Section 2: general book info - title and author name
If you want a book number stated on the cover, such as “series xyz, book one", please note this in the subtitle section.
You may change the title, subtitle, tagline or author name during the ebook/front cover design process at no extra charge. Once the design is approved and either delivered to you or moved to the print cover design team, changes will incur the following fees:
This includes adding tags like “NYT or USA TODAY Bestselling author” above your name.
You may change the title, subtitle, tagline or author name during the ebook/front cover design process at no extra charge. Once the design is approved and either delivered to you or moved to the print cover design team, changes will incur the following fees:
- Text change on ebook cover - $20
- Text change on both ebook and print cover - $30
- Text change to previously created promotional materials (social kit, mktg 15...) – price depends on the package that needs to be revised.
This includes adding tags like “NYT or USA TODAY Bestselling author” above your name.
Section 3: series branding, MC description and setting
Characters
Cover design price (see prices/packages here) includes UP TO 2 characters on the cover. If you want more than 2 people featured on the cover, each additional character is charged extra ( $60 per character)
If you plan to have several books with the same main character, please put this info in the brief so that the designer chooses a model with several poses available. If you do not indicate needing multiple books with the same character, the designer may choose a model with only 1 or 2 available poses.
Please be specific and detailed when describing your characters. Include all details that are important to you, including race, hair color/length, outfit and pose (ie. “it's very cold so he/she must have a jacket.”) If you DON'T want your MC to be wearing specific kinds of clothes (elegant clothes, jeans, dress), please say so as well.
If your description is vague or missing, we will assume you are leaving the choice to the designer. Revision requests arising from missing, inconsistent or wrong information you provided on the brief will incur extra charges, starting from $50.
For example
Of course, we are not idiots, so we won't put your sexy wolf shifter in a dress, or make your post-apocalyptic survivor wear a gown :)
Tip:
If you want, you can choose the model yourself and send us the link to the image from:
Cover design price (see prices/packages here) includes UP TO 2 characters on the cover. If you want more than 2 people featured on the cover, each additional character is charged extra ( $60 per character)
If you plan to have several books with the same main character, please put this info in the brief so that the designer chooses a model with several poses available. If you do not indicate needing multiple books with the same character, the designer may choose a model with only 1 or 2 available poses.
Please be specific and detailed when describing your characters. Include all details that are important to you, including race, hair color/length, outfit and pose (ie. “it's very cold so he/she must have a jacket.”) If you DON'T want your MC to be wearing specific kinds of clothes (elegant clothes, jeans, dress), please say so as well.
If your description is vague or missing, we will assume you are leaving the choice to the designer. Revision requests arising from missing, inconsistent or wrong information you provided on the brief will incur extra charges, starting from $50.
For example
- If you want the MC’s back facing the reader, please say so. If you don’t, the designer will conclude the direction doesn't matter and choose the pose himself. At this point, saying “I forgot to mention that the MC should have her back turned to the reader” would require the designer to find a new model/pose, and incur extra revision charges.
Of course, we are not idiots, so we won't put your sexy wolf shifter in a dress, or make your post-apocalyptic survivor wear a gown :)
Tip:
If you want, you can choose the model yourself and send us the link to the image from:
- www.shutterstock.com (included in the package price)
- www.neo-stock.com (charged additionally, $5 per photo). This is a great source for epic fantasy, UF, sci fi and PA
- www.periodimages.com (charged additionally, $12 per photo). This website is great for epic fantasy and historical costumes, and a must for historical romances)
Setting
Please be specific about the setting (landscape for the background) description. Saying just "medieval", for example, is not enough.
Should it be a village? Can there be a castle? Do you prefer a nature setting like a forest, or plains? Is the season important? If you are not specific, the designer will conclude that anything medieval works - and you may get snow-covered rolling hills in winter… when your story takes place in the desert heat.
If there are specific symbols or weapons that must or must not be used, please say so. If you don’t indicate that your thriller’s killer only uses a kitchen knife for murder, the designer may put a gun or an axe in the killer’s hand instead. If you are writing fantasy and your MC carries a specific weapon (or does not carry any weapons, ever) - please include this info.
Revision requests arising from missing, inconsistent or wrong information you provided in the brief will incur extra charges, starting from $50.
*** Please don't send us a 2-page copy-paste of your opening chapter where you describe the setting. Several sentences that summarize possible backgrounds will be enough.
Please be specific about the setting (landscape for the background) description. Saying just "medieval", for example, is not enough.
Should it be a village? Can there be a castle? Do you prefer a nature setting like a forest, or plains? Is the season important? If you are not specific, the designer will conclude that anything medieval works - and you may get snow-covered rolling hills in winter… when your story takes place in the desert heat.
If there are specific symbols or weapons that must or must not be used, please say so. If you don’t indicate that your thriller’s killer only uses a kitchen knife for murder, the designer may put a gun or an axe in the killer’s hand instead. If you are writing fantasy and your MC carries a specific weapon (or does not carry any weapons, ever) - please include this info.
Revision requests arising from missing, inconsistent or wrong information you provided in the brief will incur extra charges, starting from $50.
*** Please don't send us a 2-page copy-paste of your opening chapter where you describe the setting. Several sentences that summarize possible backgrounds will be enough.
Section 4: short story description
Please provide a 10-15 sentence summary of your book, or the blurb you will put on the amazon page/back cover.
*** Please don't send us a 2 page synopsis of the whole book, with in-depth analysis of your world’s politics and side characters. Those things are irrelevant for cover design and will distract the designer.
*** Please don't send us a 2 page synopsis of the whole book, with in-depth analysis of your world’s politics and side characters. Those things are irrelevant for cover design and will distract the designer.
Section 5: cover samples and preferred composition
Composition
Please keep in mind that we are not illustrators. If you want a specific scene from your book shown, please consider hiring a custom illustrator. This includes battles of any kind - space battles, duels, brawls etc.
Similarly, it may not be possible to find a model that looks exactly like the MC you described, with a very specific body pose and/or facial expression. For example "MC has tears in his eyes as he reaches out with his right hand toward a kneeling, screaming woman, while his left hand is flagging down a taxi” is not something that can be achieved with photo manipulation.
Cover samples
This is very important. Please PLEASE provide at least 3 samples of covers in your genre/subgenre, in the style and composition that you want for your cover. Don't include samples, even if they are bestsellers, that don't have the composition you want. For example, you shouldn't provide a symbol-based cover if you want a cover with people on it. Or vice versa. It will confuse the designer.
What you don't like
Here, please list things you don't want on the cover, such as "I don't want faces shown", "I don't want the MC facing the reader", "I hate curly fonts" or "I hate pink".
Please keep in mind that we are not illustrators. If you want a specific scene from your book shown, please consider hiring a custom illustrator. This includes battles of any kind - space battles, duels, brawls etc.
Similarly, it may not be possible to find a model that looks exactly like the MC you described, with a very specific body pose and/or facial expression. For example "MC has tears in his eyes as he reaches out with his right hand toward a kneeling, screaming woman, while his left hand is flagging down a taxi” is not something that can be achieved with photo manipulation.
Cover samples
This is very important. Please PLEASE provide at least 3 samples of covers in your genre/subgenre, in the style and composition that you want for your cover. Don't include samples, even if they are bestsellers, that don't have the composition you want. For example, you shouldn't provide a symbol-based cover if you want a cover with people on it. Or vice versa. It will confuse the designer.
What you don't like
Here, please list things you don't want on the cover, such as "I don't want faces shown", "I don't want the MC facing the reader", "I hate curly fonts" or "I hate pink".
IMPORTANT: Approving the cover art
When you approve the final front cover art, please make sure you are 100% certain that no other changes are needed.
Changing the art elements on the cover after you approved the cover art (or after deliver the final files) is possible, but (significant) additional charges apply, starting from $100.
Making any kind of change on the art after you approve the design requires that we have to:
- enter into art layers
- strip all effects from the art
- make the requested change ( sometimes on several layers/items)
- re-apply all effects over the art
- revise all the files already finalized /delivered, using the new art.
This is at least a 2 hour job, but can take more time than than, depending on the scope of the change ( whether we need to search for new stock, if you want to change the MC, if moving a certain items means we need to rearrange/change other items as well to accommodate new composition etc). Therefore, we can't offer a fixed rate for those kinds of revisions. But any change that requires editing the art the layers, no matter how small, will be charged a minimum of $100.
For changes on the text ( author name, tagline, back cover text… etc - please have a look at the BOTTOM of the PRICES PAGE
Changing the art elements on the cover after you approved the cover art (or after deliver the final files) is possible, but (significant) additional charges apply, starting from $100.
Making any kind of change on the art after you approve the design requires that we have to:
- enter into art layers
- strip all effects from the art
- make the requested change ( sometimes on several layers/items)
- re-apply all effects over the art
- revise all the files already finalized /delivered, using the new art.
This is at least a 2 hour job, but can take more time than than, depending on the scope of the change ( whether we need to search for new stock, if you want to change the MC, if moving a certain items means we need to rearrange/change other items as well to accommodate new composition etc). Therefore, we can't offer a fixed rate for those kinds of revisions. But any change that requires editing the art the layers, no matter how small, will be charged a minimum of $100.
For changes on the text ( author name, tagline, back cover text… etc - please have a look at the BOTTOM of the PRICES PAGE
IMPORTANT: Number of revisions, Concept change & Kill Fee
How many revisions can I ask for?
We do not limit the number of revisions, within reason.
Most revisions and fine-tuning of a cover design are not charged extra, with some exceptions:
Exception #1: Revisions requested because you changed your mind
If you requested a certain color scheme and then decided on a different one, or if you chose a particular model and then want a different one after the initial cover is created, you will be charged extra. These additional fees start at $50 for a color change, and can go up to $100 for a bigger change like switching to a different model.
Exception #2: New concept request
We provided the concept based on the brief you filled out. You liked it and asked for revisions, but mid-project you decide you want to change the concept completely, such as we have been working on a "people cover" and you decide to switch to a "symbol cover." In those cases, a $200 "kill fee" will be requested. This means you will have to pay for the work done if you want us to scrap the design. After the kill fee has been paid, the previous design will be scrapped, and we will start from the beginning. The new design will be charged under standard rates, of course.
Kill Fee: Canceling the project
If you don't like our design style and don't want to work on revisions at all, and you want to cancel the project after seeing the 1st draft, you won't be charged. It is our policy that a client shouldn't pay for the product she/he doesn't like or won't use.
However, this only applies if you decide to cancel after seeing the 1st draft (no revisions are done on it). If you ask for revisions and decide to cancel mid-project after we provided the revised file, you will be charged a $200 kill fee for the time spent.
We do not limit the number of revisions, within reason.
Most revisions and fine-tuning of a cover design are not charged extra, with some exceptions:
Exception #1: Revisions requested because you changed your mind
If you requested a certain color scheme and then decided on a different one, or if you chose a particular model and then want a different one after the initial cover is created, you will be charged extra. These additional fees start at $50 for a color change, and can go up to $100 for a bigger change like switching to a different model.
Exception #2: New concept request
We provided the concept based on the brief you filled out. You liked it and asked for revisions, but mid-project you decide you want to change the concept completely, such as we have been working on a "people cover" and you decide to switch to a "symbol cover." In those cases, a $200 "kill fee" will be requested. This means you will have to pay for the work done if you want us to scrap the design. After the kill fee has been paid, the previous design will be scrapped, and we will start from the beginning. The new design will be charged under standard rates, of course.
Kill Fee: Canceling the project
If you don't like our design style and don't want to work on revisions at all, and you want to cancel the project after seeing the 1st draft, you won't be charged. It is our policy that a client shouldn't pay for the product she/he doesn't like or won't use.
However, this only applies if you decide to cancel after seeing the 1st draft (no revisions are done on it). If you ask for revisions and decide to cancel mid-project after we provided the revised file, you will be charged a $200 kill fee for the time spent.
Thank you for reading. It is in both our interests that your brief is as complete as possible.
This avoids unnecessary revisions, expenses and delays.
This avoids unnecessary revisions, expenses and delays.
