Showing posts with label free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Finding a Cover Artist

credit
How important is that book cover? VERY. It is the first impression a reader gets of your book. I know I scan the hundreds of books on amazon or B&N and stop to read the blurb only when a cover catches my eye.

I work with many self/indie/hybrid published authors and everyone is looking for a cover artist at a reasonable price. Well, I don't know about price, but I was told about two websites that might help you find someone to work with. I can't vouch for these sites because I don't know anyone who has used them, but at first glance they look promising.

I also want to tell you how I found out about the websites. I went to Concarolinas 2015. Conventions are a great place for any writer to network and get helpful information. I suggest finding some in your area.

there are free and paid levels of service

Bibliocrunch helps authors collaborate with curated editors, book designers, marketers, and other publishing professionals who can take their book to the next level. Bibliocrunch freelancers go through a rigorous application process before we allow them into our platform. You know you work with the best when you work with someone on Bibliocrunch.

Bibliocrunch is THE place for authors to meet vetted professionals and work together to create better books.
© Copyright 2012 - 2014, Bibliocrunch Inc.
All rights reserved.

four levels of pricing depending on need

Our journey began with a group of designers who were competing together on the Sitepoint forum to create the best designs. In 2008, that friendly competition grew into a unique design marketplace, which ultimately forged connections between tens of thousands of small businesses and a global community of designers that’s now over 950,000 members strong.

We’re continuing to pioneer new and exciting ways for designers and businesses to collaborate. Because we believe that every connection we make moves a business forward, shapes a designer’s career, and brings another ambitious business owner closer to their vision of success.

Today, a new design is uploaded to the platform every 1.5 seconds and to date we’ve paid out more than $102,618,639 to our designer community. From our offices in San Francisco, Melbourne, Berlin, and Rio de Janeiro, we’re working hard 24/7 to provide our customers with the best platform for getting their dream designs on demand.
Our Vision for the Future

99designs exists to challenge the status quo of the traditional design process and promote a powerful relationship between designers and small businesses. By 2016, we will have helped over one million people grow their businesses through access to high-quality, affordable design.

In the end, we believe that self-expression has no borders and that everyone across the world deserves great design.

Friday, September 26, 2014

For authors: Candid Covers- a free, private cover feedback service


Authors know the importance of a great book cover. The cover is the first impression your book makes. But even though an author knows this, some still try to squeak by with a sub par cover, and others have no idea their Photoshop skills are a hot mess. Some self-pub authors can do this successfully! Some. Can. Not.

How do you know if your cover will be successful or end up featured on a cover shaming blog? You need a trusted and objective view point. Not your friends, fans or family.

Wouldn't it be great if you could show your cover privately to a large panel of experienced bloggers, avid readers and graphic artists for an objective and honest opinion.

Candid Covers is a private Facebook group made up of bloggers, readers and graphic artists who are willing to give you some feedback for free. 

Authors can submit a cover which will be posted in our private group for two days, and the author will be invited into the group for the discussion. Only you and the group will see what goes on. The one rule is: What ever happens in Candid Covers, stays in Candid Covers. No one on our feedback panel will talk about or mention you or your covers outside of the group. Once you have gotten your cover feedback you will be removed from the group and your cover thread will be deleted. There will be no evidence of our discussion. Then the next cover/author will be invited in.

Now you need to be prepared for the good, the bad and the ugly. The group's opinions are not a personal attack on you or your book, but we will not sugar coat things. On the plus side, you just might get some great advice on how to improve your cover. Look at us as cover editors.

To submit a cover send an email with "Candid Covers" in the subject line, along with your cover attached, the genre of your book and the blurb to

Once your cover is posted to the group, you can request to join here:

or I can send you an invite via email. If you would rather us discuss your book without you there, I can send you an email with all our comments when we are done.

Candid Covers is an experiment to see if authors want, cause let's face it...lots need it, this type of help. We will be making tweaks to the process once we find out what works and doesn't. The key is for everyone to behave professionally. If you don't like what is said about your cover that is fine. No one outside the group will ever know what was said so there is no reason to take your anger out on any of our panelists. They are doing this for free as a service to help self-pub authors.

Steps for submitting to Candid Covers
1. Send email with "Candid Covers" in the subject line with cover, blurb, genre (devilinthedetailsediting@yahoo.com).
2. Once given the go ahead join the group.
3. Put on your big girl/boy panties and bring a sense of humor (borrow one if you have too)
4. Have an open mind to feedback without getting defensive (hence the big girl/boy panties).
5. Ask questions, get advice.
6. Go forth and be awesome!

Remember the one rule:
What ever happens in Candid Covers, stays in Candid Covers.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Looking for a beta read?

update 5/19/14: one of the beta readers/editors is now charging $.0015/word.

I have two people who are looking to sharpen their skills at beta reading, copy editing and proofreading and willing to do it for free for a while. If you would like to use their services drop me an email and I will pass along your information. They will then contact you and set up the details with you.

They would love your feedback about their work so they can improve. Hopefully I will be able to offer their services for a reasonable price though Devil in the Details Editing Services in the near future.

Thanks! Sharon