Q: What information should I provide/what do you need to get started on a cover project? A: The following information is what I will need before I begin an assignment... -- The exact title -- The author’s name as it will appear on the cover -- Any wording apart from the above that is to appear on the cover -- A list of any key elements in the story. For instance, perhaps the story is a murder mystery or adventure, with all of the characters chasing after a jewel or an ancient artifact. Send me a list of the important symbols/images, detailing what they look like, and I will most likely integrate them into the cover. Additionally, instead of envisioning a cover filled with character faces and action scenes, perhaps consider having a sparse cover featuring this key element(s)...look at the books currently on your local bookstore’s shelves and you will see what I mean. Less is more, and in 99% of all cases, better. -- Send me a detailed description of the major characters. Please include the hair color, eye color, body style or shape, manner of dress, even general character makeup/personality traits. Listing the names of actors/actresses who might have been used during the writing stage in developing your characters is also a plus. More information is always better. -- Send me a detailed description of the world in which your characters live. In other words, are they living in modern day New York, ancient Egypt, or on the planet Utaligariana? In every case, please provide examples of the types of dwellings needed for the background, or the types of scenery most likely to appear in the story. Again, more information is always better. -- Describe the mood you want to get across on the cover. For instance, a list of adjectives is very helpful: dark, dreary, foreboding, happily-ever-after, romantic, quirky, fantastic, paranormal, sedate, wild...whatever. And again, do I need to say it?--More information is better. -- Describe in vivid detail the scene you want portrayed, if any. (Again, keep in mind that the more elements appearing on a cover, especially when the cover is downsized as a thumbnail for places like Amazon, have a tendency to look cluttered and non-distinct.) Nevertheless, if your heart is set on a key scene, give me the essential information down to the last detail if possible, which will save time and aggravation later. -- Specify the file type needed...some publishing companies prefer .TIF files as opposed to .JPG files. -- Specify the dimensions needed...either in pixels or inches. Simply saying “The book is an e-book vs. a trade paperback” is too vague, since most publishers have specific size requirements for their covers. (Please Note: I do most of the covers larger than what is required, therefore, should you ever need a copy of the art that is larger than the final cover, feel free to ask and I will be more than happy to send it to you.) -- If the cover will be used as a paperback or hardcover, I will also need the exact dimensions of the spine, as well as the inner flaps (for hardcover). Additionally, please specify whether bleed space and/or printer cut marks are needed and the dimensions the printer requires. Lastly, I will need the back cover blurb, review quotes, author bio, author photograph, company logo and bar code, chapter teaser, retail price information, as well as any other information needed to be included on the spine, back cover, and cover flaps. Please also detail where all the materials should appear on the cover flat. If any of the materials are not provided by the time I begin a project, deadlines might be affected. -- Provide a deadline. All of my work is scheduled according to this, therefore please be as specific as possible.
Q: How quickly can you complete a cover? A: Once I begin a project, I am generally able to complete a cover within 2-5 days. This includes the initial draft and all revisions, if any. If the cover requires many visual elements, however, or it's necessary for me to research clothing, specific items, exact scenery, etc., the wait time for a completed cover could be days or weeks. This is another reason to keep the elements simple and uncluttered. We all, as humans, know our artistic limitations, and if details are required that I cannot create, I will more than likely refuse the project or suggest variations instead of spending days hunting for photographs to use as models. Also keep in mind that various other projects might be scheduled ahead of yours, therefore, do not expect me to begin the project immediately upon acceptance. I will, however, be able to give you a rough estimate as to how quickly I can complete the project at any given time, so please ask if you have concerns or specific deadlines.
Q: How much do you charge? A: For details, please see the Prices page.
All questions pertaining to any area of ThunderArt, or its parent company By Thunder, should be directed to the owner Trace Edward Zaber.
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