What are your costs?
Prices vary widely for projects. Please see each section in the menu for pricing information. The best thing to do is contact me for a quote specifically tailored to your project.
Why are your prices higher than another designer I’ve been looking at?
When you work with me, you’re investing in a comprehensive publishing partnership that goes far beyond basic design services. Here’s what makes the difference:
Publishing Expertise That Saves You Time and Money I know IngramSpark, KDP, Lulu, and other platforms inside and out. This means your files will be right the first time—but if any issues arise with rejected uploads or printing problems, I’m here to fix them. I’ll work with you through every revision needed until your files are approved and printing correctly. You’re never left on your own to figure out cryptic error messages or technical requirements.
Full-Service Support from Concept to Publication You won’t be left figuring things out alone. I guide you through every step: design decisions, technical requirements, file preparation, and even troubleshooting upload issues. When challenges arise (and they always do in publishing), you have an experienced professional in your corner.
Custom Professional Design I don’t work from templates. I research and purchase professional fonts specifically for your project. I can create custom illustrations. I understand what makes books sell in different genres and markets. Your book will look like it belongs on the shelf next to traditionally published titles.
A True Business Relationship My clients aren’t one-time transactions—they’re long-term partners. I’m here for your questions weeks after delivery, for your next book project, and for those “quick favor” moments that inevitably come up. This ongoing support is built into my service model.
While less expensive options exist, my clients consistently tell me that the professional results, saved time, avoided mistakes, and peace of mind make the investment worthwhile. I respect that everyone has different needs and budgets. My services are designed for authors who want a knowledgeable partner to help their book succeed in a competitive market.
What file formats are included?
For a cover project, you will receive a final high-resolution .jpg file of your front cover for eBook and marketing purposes. For a print cover, you will also receive a print-ready PDF created specifically to your printer’s specifications. I can always scale things down for you, if you’d like, or trim them up to any specified size. I also design promotional materials if you want or need anything like that once you start marketing.
For formatting projects, file formats are a print-ready PDF to your printer specifications, and ePub reflowable format for eBooks. I can also create fixed layout format (FXL), or Interactive PDF formats.
I am happy to hand over all source files to you, if requested.
Who owns the design?
I own all rights to your cover design, concepts, and/or layout designs until you have paid your final invoice. At that point, all rights to the final cover and/or layouts will revert to you. I retain rights only to showcase a portion of your project in my portfolio. Nothing else.
What is included in the contract/terms/conditions?
I am more than happy to send you a copy of my current Terms & Conditions if you inquire. It will not be for you to sign. If we agree to move forward with booking your project, I will send you a copy for you to digitally sign.
What are your timelines?
Once I begin a cover project, the turnaround time can take typically 2-4 weeks for covers and 4-8 weeks for interior formatting, depending on complexity. That’s in general, though. Some clients aren’t quite ready to finish up, or just have busy schedules and the timeline is much longer. If custom artwork is involved, the timeline can also be much longer. Formatting can take up 6 weeks or longer from start to finish, but can go much faster if needed.
But don’t worry! These are details we can discuss specifically to your needs.
Can you provide references?
Yes! Just inquire and I will send you references. You’re also welcome to contact anyone I have worked with. You can find client work in my portfolio, on my Facebook/Instagram/Twitter accounts, etc. I do not give out personal email addresses, so contacting the clients is up to you. If you need a more specific reference than that, please let me know and I can get you in touch directly with clients who have specifically agreed to let me give out their contact info.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. The schedule is as follows:
$500 and under: $100 deposit
$500 – $2,500: ~25% deposit
$2,500 and up: ~50% deposit
Deposits are non-refundable, in order to secure my time and work put into preparing your initial designs, as well as the time we’ll spend in communicating about your project. Your deposit is applied toward your final amount.
Can you outline the cover/formatting process for me?
If you decide to move forward and agree to my quote, I will send you a Terms & Conditions Agreement for us both to sign. I will also send you an invoice for the deposit. Once both are completed, you will be officially booked for the time we will have previously discussed. Once I begin your project, it takes some time to create the cover concepts, and time for formatting as well if I’m doing interior layout (for the initial print version). I usually create about 3 cover concept for you to choose from. If you like one of the concepts, you’ll give me feedback on what you’d like possibly changed, etc., and I will begin your final cover layout. You will not owe anything for any images or artwork unless you request custom artwork to be created. If you don’t like any of the concepts, I will create more based on your feedback until we get to a cover you love.
Formatting/interior layout is done separately from your cover, if you have booked that in addition to a cover. I usually like to finish the cover before we begin layout, simply because interior layout often uses elements of the cover inside.
I need a project done right away, but you’re all booked up. What can I do?
It’s possible I can be booked out a month or more. Sometimes it’s less. Sometimes more. If you need a project done right away and you’d really like to work with me, I do offer rush services for an extra fee. These fees can run $200 or more depending on the project and how far out I am booked. This is not guaranteed, however. Sometimes I’ve already booked extra rush projects and there’s simply no more time left on my calendar. But it never hurts to ask! I’m always happy to try and work things out for you.
What if I really want to work with you, but I can’t afford your prices? Will you give me a discount?
I sometimes give discounts under the following conditions: Repeat clients; a project I assess as taking less time and work than normal; subsequent projects in a book series. For everything else, I’m always happy to work out payment plans, if needed. Please note that deposits are always required, even on discounted projects.
I’d like to find a good editor, website designer, book trailer creator, marketing assistant, etc. Do you offer those services?
I do not offer any services outside of what is listed here on my website, but it never to hurts to ask if I can point you in the right direction to someone else.
What if I have more questions?
First CLICK HERE to read my Helpful Links & Tips page!
If you still have questions, please use the Contact button in the menu, or simply fill out one of the Booking forms! I will get in touch with you. If you don’t hear back from me after using either of those, it means I did not receive your inquiry. At that point, please contact me through one of my social media outlets. Once we’ve connected, I’m always happy to talk by phone, if you like.