Authortube: How to Design a Great Book Cover | One Word (Three Simple Parts)
A lot of authors feel overwhelmed when it comes to book cover creation. Whether you hire it out or do it yourself, you know that a good cover will potentially lead to a book’s success. What is a good book cover? What makes one cover stand out from the one next to it? What’s the most important part of a book cover? The image or graphic? The colors?
In this video, 25-year self-publisher A.P. Fuchs reveals the one word that makes or breaks a book cover. One word with three parts. Watch and see. It’s very simple. If you use this one word as your engine for your cover, you will have a good cover.
This is just a note to say I’m available for freelance publishing work. I’ve seen 170+ projects through to completion and specialize in the areas of book editing, book cover design, and book formatting. I also do illustration work.
With 2020 around the corner, it’s time for me to visit my freelancing Artwork and Publishing Services Rates again and adjust things for the New Year.
The following rates will be effective on January 1, 2020. If you book me before January 1, I will honor my old rates so this is a chance to book me now even if your project won’t be ready to go until early in the New Year.
The formula for the list below is Old Rate > New Rate
All rates are in US funds.
Editing (which is a full edit that covers everything from copy editing to proofreading):
Short stories (1,000 – 7,000 words): 1¢ per word > 1.5¢ per word
Novelettes (7,001 – 15,000 words): $250 > $275
Novellas (15,001 – 40,000 words): $325 > $350
Short novels (40,001 – 60,000): $425 > $450
Novels (60,001 – 80,000 words): $500 > $525
Blockbusters (80,001 – 120,000): $625 > $650
Doorstops (120,000+): inquire for quote
Formatting:
Paperback formatting – $200 > $225
eBook formatting – $150 > $175
Paperback and eBook formatting bundle – $325 > $375
Book Cover Design (includes the paperback and eBook files):
Using stock art/photos/art you acquired elsewhere: $275US or $350CAN > $300US or $400CAN
A note on stock photos: I do my best to seek out stock photos that are free for commercial use, however, sometimes the perfect photo needs to be purchased. Responsibility of cost for the purchased photo is the client’s. All proposed purchases are cleared with the client first.
NEW – Using my original art created for the project’s cover (which includes the use of the art plus all the design that goes into a stock photo cover): $500US or $675CAN
NEW – Artwork Commissions
Penciled only: $150 (for up to two figures; additional figures $20 each)
Inked: $200 (for up to two figures; additional figures $30 each)
Colored (digital or traditional media, depending on the piece): $350 (for up to two figures; additional figures $40 each)
Custom Artwork: If your project doesn’t fit the above commission guidelines, inquire anyway and we’ll figure out something that works for both of us.
After a hiatus, I am now back in full freelance mode. Book cover design services are my new offering. I have designed 160+ professional quality book covers since I began in this business all those years ago. My rates are affordable and a cover can be designed for your hardcover, paperback, and eBook.
For more information on rates, how the average procedure goes, and samples, please see the My Services tab on this site.
