http://www.publishingbasics.com/2009/08/10/what-is-the-difference-between-a-149-cover-design-and-one-that-costs-1500-2/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:59:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.publishingbasics.com/2009/08/10/what-is-the-difference-between-a-149-cover-design-and-one-that-costs-1500-2/comment-page-1/#comment-56355 RELENTLESS AARON Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:10:31 +0000 http://www.publishingbasics.com/?p=608#comment-56355 I charge $500 for covers, no matter what, because I know I can get it done in an hour or two; besides, I have to absolutely FEEL the energy behind the cover because most times, authors are coming to me with a concept, no photography, and no money to pay a photographer/model/make-up person/stylist etc. So I have to "create something" from the giddyup. THAT in itself should cost millions. But to be realistic for a client, I charge for my time. So, you're right, Ron. It is about a designer's time. The average time/payscale for a graphic designer last time I checked was $150 per hour. That was a while ago. But of course, we have a recession and EVERYONE is hungry. Why am I STILL charging $500 for a cover then? Because I can. I have a track record, a brand, etc, etc. If you have the mojo to back you up, and the heart to get what you deserve, then go for it. A woman once came to me to publish a book. I told her 10 grand. She pulled out half the cash and promised the rest the following week. Where did I get 10k from? I had bills to pay. Period. That same fee is now $2,500 to publish a book. Or it's $75k (if you're a certain famous rapper) Still, the value is in my time, my availability and my experience. There's no price you can put on that. Now that I've taken precious time to contribute here, let me get on about my day, formatting a book for print, an e-book, and then on to administer the Author's Pavilion for the world famous Bronner Bros Hair show; ya know, normal-everyday stuff. *smile I charge $500 for covers, no matter what, because I know I can get it done in an hour or two; besides, I have to absolutely FEEL the energy behind the cover because most times, authors are coming to me with a concept, no photography, and no money to pay a photographer/model/make-up person/stylist etc. So I have to “create something” from the giddyup. THAT in itself should cost millions. But to be realistic for a client, I charge for my time. So, you’re right, Ron. It is about a designer’s time. The average time/payscale for a graphic designer last time I checked was $150 per hour. That was a while ago. But of course, we have a recession and EVERYONE is hungry. Why am I STILL charging $500 for a cover then? Because I can. I have a track record, a brand, etc, etc. If you have the mojo to back you up, and the heart to get what you deserve, then go for it. A woman once came to me to publish a book. I told her 10 grand. She pulled out half the cash and promised the rest the following week. Where did I get 10k from? I had bills to pay. Period. That same fee is now $2,500 to publish a book. Or it’s $75k (if you’re a certain famous rapper) Still, the value is in my time, my availability and my experience. There’s no price you can put on that.
Now that I’ve taken precious time to contribute here, let me get on about my day, formatting a book for print, an e-book, and then on to administer the Author’s Pavilion for the world famous Bronner Bros Hair show; ya know, normal-everyday stuff. *smile

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