BOOK DESIGN QUESTIONNAIRE

Your vision is everything we need to create reality

Your book deserves a professional cover and whether it’s a new book or redesigning an old cover, we have the skills to get the job done. Our book cover design includes a front, back, and spine layout, complete with your blurb and tagline, a ready-to-submit, high resolution PDF, and a FREE title page for your interior formatting, to match your new e-book cover!

  • Client Contact Information

    We just need your contact information, to make it easier for us to communicate with you. We won't give your information to anyone else, or use any of it to spam you.
  • Your real name, not your pen name!
  • Optional. Please include your area code.
  • So we can get back to you.

  • Project Information

    Please be as thorough as possible when answering questions! This helps us get the clearest picture of your needs for your design.
  • Check any boxes that apply. Select "other" for any misc. graphics such as business cards and facebook graphics.
  • What is the name of your book?
  • This is the name going on the finished cover. If you're using a pen name, use it here.
  • (e.g., "A storm was coming." This is optional, though usually helpful with print layouts.)
  • Be as detailed as possible. Character descriptions, events in the plot, any other pertinent information.
  • This is a great place to mention any special symbols, fonts, characters, etc. that you'd like to maybe see on the design.
  • Hate the color orange or Comic Sans? Just let us know and we won't use them.
  • Please feel free to link to a few book covers you like in the space below!

  • Print Cover Information (OPTIONAL)

    If you are purchasing the e-book/print combo, this is the section for you. You do not have to answer these if you are unsure or have not yet decided. Please note that these questions refer specifically to Kindle/KDP paperbacks--if you are planning on printing via IngramSpark or another publisher, your options could vary and may not be shown here.
  • Trim size means the final dimensions of the print book. We only list the most common sizes below. Use the "other" answer if you want a size not shown here.
  • As a general rule, most fiction books use Cream paper, whereas non-fiction titles use White paper. Please note that these options are for KDP/Kindle. Other publishers may have varying paper colors/weights.
  • This includes any title pages, acknowledgements, etc.
  • This is the synopsis that goes on the back of your cover.
  • If you have a website you want to include, or if you'd like to do an "About The Author" section, include that information below. Please note that we may not be able to fit all elements on the back cover.

  • Misc. Graphics

    This section is optional. If you are purchasing an e-book, note that your Facebook cover or profile photo is included free.
  • You may choose more than one.
  • Please include any relevant info about the misc. services you are looking for, such as contact info for a business card, etc.

  • Client Contract Agreement

    Summary:

    I will always do my best to fulfill your needs and meet your goals; however, sometimes it is best to have a few simple things written down so we both know what is what, who should do what, and what happens if something goes wrong.

    What do both parties agree to do?

    As my client, you have the power, and ability, to enter into this contract on behalf of yourself, your company, or your organization. You agree to provide me with the information I need to begin our design project. You agree to review my work, provide feedback, and sign-off approval in a timely manner. Deadlines work two ways, so we both will be bound by any dates we set together. You also agree to stick to the payment schedule set out at the end of this contract.

    I have the experience and ability to perform the services you need, and I will carry them out in a professional and timely manner. Along the way I will endeavor to meet all deadlines; however, I cannot be held responsible for a missed launch date or deadline if you have been late in supplying information, required materials, or you have not approved or signed off our work in a timely manner. In addition, I will also maintain the confidentiality of any information you provide me.

    Design:

    I will create designs for the look-and-feel of your book cover. This contract includes one main design plus the opportunity for you to make up to five rounds of revisions. If you're not happy with the designs at this stage, you must pay in full for all of the work produced up to that point, and you may either cancel this contract or continue to commission me to make further design revisions at the hourly rate of $30/hour set out in my original estimate.

    Design Revisions

    As noted above, this contract covers up to five rounds of substantial revisions. Excessive revisions may be subject to the $30/hour rate.

    Upon final payment and receipt of finalized deliverables, you have up to 48 hours to request any minor last-minute changes at no additional charge. After that time, revisions may be subject to the hourly rate.

    Portfolio Usage:

    I am very proud of the work I do for my clients. As such, I reserve the right to display the finalized design on my website, on social media (including but not limited to Facebook, Google+. LinkedIn, etc.), and in advertisements, blogs, etc.

    Licensed Content

    All elements used for your cover will be either royalty-free resources or properly licensed from stock websites such as Shutterstock. However, if you request elements that are not royalty-free (such as commercial fonts, etc), you may be responsible for the cost of the license of that element.

    You may also provide your own photographs for use on covers, but I do require that a signed model release form and all proper permissions/documentation be submitted to me before I can use the images on your cover. I reserve the right to refuse to use client-supplied images if I feel that the proper permissions have not been obtained.

    Revision of Services

    You can decide to add/remove services at a later date if you choose (for example, adding a print cover to your e-book only package). You will be billed accordingly for the services you are adding. Along the way, I may ask you to put these requests in writing so that I can keep track of changes.

    Deliverables & Rights:

    Once the design project is completed and final payment is rendered, you will receive the “deliverables,” which may include any of the following:

    • High-resolution images of your design for use on Amazon, B&N, etc.
    • Full-sized Createspace layout in PDF format, ready for submission
    • High-resolution images of supplemental graphics (business cards, etc)

    After the final payment, you will also have full rights to your design. You may use the design in advertisements or promotional materials as well as post it on social media or elsewhere online.

    PLEASE NOTE: I do not provide the working file (usually a Photoshop document) under any circumstances. This is to protect my work.

    Legal Stuff:

    You agree I will not be held liable to you, or any third party, for damages, including lost profits, lost savings or other incidental, consequential or special damages arising out of the use of the finished design.

    Payments

    I’m sure you understand how important it is to pay the invoices I send you in a prompt and timely manner. To make things run smoothly, you agree to the following payment schedule.

    • 50% deposit of total design cost up-front
    • Payment for any additional services during the course of the project
    • Final full payment upon project completion.

    The costs above may include any applicable fees, such as PayPal’s transaction fee. You will not receive deliverables until the final payment has cleared.

    A quick note on display.

    Everyone's computer monitors are different. As such, the finished design may look different across different computers/mediums. For example, your finished design may look brighter or darker on your computer as opposed to viewing it on your iPad or Kindle, or the print layout might look slightly darker than the e-book version.

    Cancellations & Refunds

    Sometimes things happen and we may have to part ways before a project is completed. Therefore, I have a few guidelines in place in the event that you need to cancel this contract.

    Before I can begin designing, I require a payment of 50% of the total cost up-front. You have up until you receive the first draft of the design to cancel the contract and receive a full refund of that deposit. If you have received the first draft and choose to cancel the contract, you forfeit the full amount of the deposit. Depending on the number of revisions made to the design at that point, you may be subject to a $30/hr art fee.

    If for some reason I need to cancel our contract due to an emergency or otherwise, you are entitled to a full refund.

    But where is all the legalese and horrible fine print?

    Although the language is simple, the intentions of this document are serious. Just like a parking ticket, you cannot transfer this contract to anyone else without my permission. This contract stays in place and need not be renewed, and may be modified at any time as needed without notice.

    If any provision of this agreement is determined to be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.