Design FAQ
FAQ
Got questions about my design process or working with me? I've complied some of the questions I get asked the most with quick, helpful answers below. If you've still got a question don't hesitate to reach out and contact me!
How do I hire you to create my custom cover?
First off, thanks so much for wanting to work with me! If you'd like a slot on my calendar the first thing you need to do is head over to my Design Investment page and take a look at my prices (via the downloadable sheet) and info there. Secondly, if you'd like to be put on my calendar, please email me using the Contact form. Getting on my calendar is just that simple (at this point) and does not require a deposit, however I do require a 50% non-refundable deposit of the total price along with a signed contract when we start the project.
First off, thanks so much for wanting to work with me! If you'd like a slot on my calendar the first thing you need to do is head over to my Design Investment page and take a look at my prices (via the downloadable sheet) and info there. Secondly, if you'd like to be put on my calendar, please email me using the Contact form. Getting on my calendar is just that simple (at this point) and does not require a deposit, however I do require a 50% non-refundable deposit of the total price along with a signed contract when we start the project.
When should I book a slot with you?
Great question! Since I tend to book up very quickly I always recommend new clients booking as early as 6-8 months in advance. If you are seriously interested in booking a slot with me I suggest doing that as soon as you can.
Great question! Since I tend to book up very quickly I always recommend new clients booking as early as 6-8 months in advance. If you are seriously interested in booking a slot with me I suggest doing that as soon as you can.
What if none of your packages work for my project?
Need a customized package? Reach out to me! I'm happy to work with you to find the best package to fit your publishing needs.
Are you the right designer for my book?
If you answered yes to these above, then we'd likely be a great fit! Contact me when you're ready!
5) Are you looking to have an extremely "spicy", explicit, or graphic cover made?
This is a really good question to consider and, to me, comes down to a few things:
1) Do you see covers that you like on my design portfolio page?
1) Do you see covers that you like on my design portfolio page?
2) Have I designed a cover in your genre? (If not, that doesn't mean I don't work in that genre, it just means I don't have examples for that specific genre. In this case, an email works best to find if I work in that genre.)
3) Do my prices fit within your budget?
4) Does your timeline fit with the approximate months I'm now booking in? (This can be checked on my design investment page or on my design Instagram @eahcreative.)
3) Do my prices fit within your budget?
4) Does your timeline fit with the approximate months I'm now booking in? (This can be checked on my design investment page or on my design Instagram @eahcreative.)
If you answered yes to these above, then we'd likely be a great fit! Contact me when you're ready!
5) Are you looking to have an extremely "spicy", explicit, or graphic cover made?
6) Do you want an artist-created illustrated book cover?
7) Do you need your cover on a short time-line?
If the answer to 5, 6, and 7 is yes, then we're probably not a good fit. I don't design explicit or "spicy" content and don't prefer to have excessive gore represented on my covers. I am also (sadly) not an illustrator (though I have worked with some in the past and have used illustrated stock photos, which is fine). I also usually can't fit in books on a short turn-around time.
If the answer to 5, 6, and 7 is yes, then we're probably not a good fit. I don't design explicit or "spicy" content and don't prefer to have excessive gore represented on my covers. I am also (sadly) not an illustrator (though I have worked with some in the past and have used illustrated stock photos, which is fine). I also usually can't fit in books on a short turn-around time.
Can you make the design I have in my head? (aka: I know exactly what I want and need you to recreate it)
Following along with the above question, this is maybe not be one I get asked specifically, but it is often a mindset of clients that can cause issues.
Following along with the above question, this is maybe not be one I get asked specifically, but it is often a mindset of clients that can cause issues.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: If you like the book covers I've created, you like my design style and creative eye.
When you hire me to design your book cover I 100% take into account what you would like to see on the cover but there are several important factors to take into consideration:
- You're hiring me for my expertise and creativity.
- Your book cover is heavily influenced by your genre (that is, if you want to sell books, which is what we're about 😉).
- Your ideas for the cover may be good, but not marketable or on genre, or they may be too complicated to be on the cover.
- I'm not great at trying to recreate "your idea" but in "my style".
I state this pretty plainly here to hopefully help potential clients understand. It's not that I'm unwilling to listen to you or that I think "my way is the best and only way". Decidedly not! But I have had issues when "forced" to create specific/detailed ideas instead of being allowed creative freedom to design a creative and eye-catching cover.
And you know what always happens? Those covers are not my best. They don't hit well, they feel forced, and while they may be what the author "wanted to see" they are never the covers I'm proud of and they are often not going to be shown on my website or in my portfolio. This is not to worry you (I promise) I just want to be as open and up-front as possible. I do my very best work when my creativity comes into play.
How long does the cover design process take?
It depends on a myriad of things. For custom designs it can take anywhere from a few days to up to 3 weeks for an initial design to be created. This is based on current workload, complexity of design, and the project. When I am in a busy season, this time can be extended. The return time on a design (after the initial first passes are delivered) often depends most heavily on the client.
How do I credit you as my designer?
Great question! As a form of best practice I will include this on the back cover of your Paperback book cover and on the inner right flap of your dust jacket:
Cover design by: Emilie Haney, eahcreative.com
You are welcome (and encouraged) to credit me as such on your copyright page as well!
Great question! As a form of best practice I will include this on the back cover of your Paperback book cover and on the inner right flap of your dust jacket:
Cover design by: Emilie Haney, eahcreative.com
You are welcome (and encouraged) to credit me as such on your copyright page as well!
Can you design the next book in my existing series?
The answer is...maybe.
I find that a client often wants to work with me because they've seen a design I've created and liked what they saw. This is my personal design style. It's how I see the world and how I create. You're hiring me for that 😄
However, when asked to continue a series after another designer has already started it can often mean one of two things: 1) The author is going in a different direction and wants a cover in my style or 2) The author wants me to continue the series but to keep things consistent with the original designers style.
Option 1 means I don't take those initial cover designs into consideration and design a cover I think is most marketable and fits the book best.
Option 2 (usually) means that I have to change my style to match that initial designers style.
I don't prefer to do option 2 very often for several reasons. The first being that the initial design was not "my" design and to fit the series means I have to "copy" that designer. In special cases I have done this, but only with the initial designers consent or the initial designer was unresponsive to the client (in this case, they are often still credited on the cover as being the initial designer and I am then credited as the "new" designer).
The second reason I don't prefer option 2 is that when you work with me, you are expecting a design that comes from my imagination and fits my style. To copy someone else's style means I then have to change my style and that often makes the project harder for all involved.
No situation is exact, so if you are in this predicament and looking to hire a new designer to finish a series for you, feel free to reach out and we can see if there is a consensus to be made about style and moving forward.
The answer is...maybe.
I find that a client often wants to work with me because they've seen a design I've created and liked what they saw. This is my personal design style. It's how I see the world and how I create. You're hiring me for that 😄
However, when asked to continue a series after another designer has already started it can often mean one of two things: 1) The author is going in a different direction and wants a cover in my style or 2) The author wants me to continue the series but to keep things consistent with the original designers style.
Option 1 means I don't take those initial cover designs into consideration and design a cover I think is most marketable and fits the book best.
Option 2 (usually) means that I have to change my style to match that initial designers style.
I don't prefer to do option 2 very often for several reasons. The first being that the initial design was not "my" design and to fit the series means I have to "copy" that designer. In special cases I have done this, but only with the initial designers consent or the initial designer was unresponsive to the client (in this case, they are often still credited on the cover as being the initial designer and I am then credited as the "new" designer).
The second reason I don't prefer option 2 is that when you work with me, you are expecting a design that comes from my imagination and fits my style. To copy someone else's style means I then have to change my style and that often makes the project harder for all involved.
No situation is exact, so if you are in this predicament and looking to hire a new designer to finish a series for you, feel free to reach out and we can see if there is a consensus to be made about style and moving forward.
What if I don't like the first options you send?
While rare, this can happen and is no cause for alarm. If the initial options I send you don't work for your cover I'll ask for your input and then go back to the drawing board. It's often on the second round that we get a "hit" with the direction for the cover.
While rare, this can happen and is no cause for alarm. If the initial options I send you don't work for your cover I'll ask for your input and then go back to the drawing board. It's often on the second round that we get a "hit" with the direction for the cover.
What will my book cover look like when printed?
This is a question I don't actually get asked but it's something I'd like to bring up. Digital designs will look different than printed designs. While I design with printing in mind I do prefer to design in RGB (this is a personal choice) while ensuring the colors I chose are within the CMYK spectrum (which is what printers use). However, there will still be differences when printing - especially with printing "on demand". These types of printers will not have the same quality of print that something like a photography printer will offer. What this means is that the cover will often print a bit darker than what the digital version looks like and some colors will not be as vibrant. I do try my best to mitigate this difference on the print version, but sometimes you can only change so much before the design itself changes. I advocate that the author get a test copy before going to production for their book just to make sure they are satisfied, but also to know that each POD printer will print differently as well.