Dear client,
If you are reading this, it means you must’ve reached out to me about a very special book because the link to this page isn’t published anywhere but the email you came from.
Obviously I have no idea what your form submission said (yet) but I still want to get some of the big questions answered so that we can focus on the particulars of your book and publishing targets.
With that said, I’ll definitely be replying asap (24-48 hours) and will make sure to answer any questions not covered on this page.
Cost
Maybe financials is no significant concern to you, but many self-published authors do need to know what to plan for. So let’s just get it out of the way so that you actually pay attention to the rest of the information on this page.
All Violet collaborations include a fair-usage policy on Free Unlimited Forward Revisions. What this means is that you won’t be charged for revisions that develop the working concept unless you make excessive revisions, especially subjective ones. Revisions that erase previously approved design work may be subject to additional charges. Violet’s overall policy is very flexible and these rights are reserved only as a precaution.
Please note that Violet does offer several payment options, but if you can’t spend at least $100 (USD) bi-weekly for 3-4 months, please click here to submit a Cost Adjustment Request. Once submitted, feel free to come back and read the rest of this article as it may contain some valuable information for you that might be useful even if your Cost Adjustment Request is not approved.
Illustrations and other very intricate/fancy/complex artwork/concepts require a larger budget, but if the bi-weekly structure mentioned above is within your range then publishing digitally with a professionally made cover that stands out in its genre is definitely within your reach.
When is it time to get a cover?
Everyone has different circumstances and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are my raw thoughts based on my experiences:
First-time authors: The best time to solidify a cover vision is when the story is clear but there’s still some mystery left for the author!
In other words, I strongly encourage you to make cover design plans well before you’ve finished the manuscript. Some authors prefer to launch the cover design process as part of their decision to write, while others prefer to wait until they’ve written at least a chapter. And then some wait until there’s literally nothing left to do but design the cover, which is ok too but it unnecessary wastes time and can sometimes make authors more anxious about publishing than they should be since they’re just sitting there waiting for the design with nothing to do!
Series Writers: Your covers can be designed all at once or one at a time. Combined design is not necessary, but it can enable a very purposeful and organized cohesion.
If you need a finished cover in less than 20 days, please click here to submit an Expedited Collaboration Request before proceeding. These requests are handled as quickly as possible so that you can know if your deadline is feasible or not.
Formats
Violet offers turnkey solutions for all book types, including digital ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers.
All collaboration include full resolution ebook cover file for all applicable distributors. Base pricing does not include paperback or hardcover designs, but adding these can be done at a negligible cost. For an extra fee, you can also choose to assert a greater level of control when it comes to physical formats. More on this later.
Publishing hardcover? Please note that Amazon KDP currently only offers hardcover printing WITHOUT a jacket. Ingram Spark offers all hardcover types, including jacketed case laminate.
Cover Types
Violet offers four basic categories of cover art. Please keep scrolling for examples and a brief description of each category.
TYPE 1: Photo-based Examples
This cover type utilizes real photography with subtle/simple/basic photo-manipulation as needed.
TYPE 2: Advanced Photo-manipulation
Also based on real photography. Includes complex photo-manipulation, composites, and hyper-realism.
TYPE 3: Standard Illustration
Covers a wide range of possibilities, from abstracts to object-based designs. This tier results in a flat, modern, and
minimalistic illustration style.
TYPE 4: Advanced Illustration
Highly detailed or hyperrealistic illustration styles, including scenes and characters. Covers in this category
generally have plenty of depth, which results in a vivid art style.
Which cover type to choose?
It depends entirely on your situation and genre. For the quickest and most affordable cover, your best bet is a photo-based cover. No matter what the trends are, it’s generally possible to put together a great fit regardless of genre…but the downside is that viable options may be more limited. Aesthetic changes like hair color can be dealt with, but specific positions/poses/postures/landscapes etc. are usually too complex for this category.
Advanced photo-manipulation is good if you have a specific vision and can’t compromise on the details OR if your vision is very “otherworldly”/unnatural/paranormal/dystopian. This category may include some custom illustration touches, but if your cover requires depictions of elements that cannot be built with images, please choose “standard illustration”.
The Standard illustration category gives a custom illustrated cover in a modern, flat, folky, abstract, simple, or minimalist vibe.
The Advanced illustration category is reserved for complex visual concepts. This includes characters, scenes, and fine abstracts. The only limitations here come down to technical feasibility!
Interior Formatting
Violet offers formatting services for all publishing channels, including ebook, paperback and hardback.
Interior formatting is the process of setting up your manuscript for publishing. Both digital and physical publishing have a range of flexibility when it comes to design choices but physical manuscripts are especially precious as it pertains to created an enjoyable experience.
The reason for this is that ebooks give the reader a certain level of preferene-based control, whereas paperbacks and hardcovers must be designed meticulously to suit all readers.
Interior formatting is a separate service from cover design. Unless you’re publishing a low-content book (poetry, journals etc.) and/or a high volume of graphics, the kickoff portal mentioned below will provide you with an accurate quote.
If you add interior formatting for a low-content/graphics-heavy title, extra charges will likely apply (usually does not apply to fiction, unless unusual number of images).
** Please note a quote from the kickoff portal will include slighter simpler chapter header like the one if the first example above. Add’l charges apply for more advanced chapter headers like example #2 and #4. This and other interior illustrations can only be arranged outside the kickoff portal.
What’s next?
No matter what, you should receive a personal reply to your original form submission within 24-48 hours!
If all your questions have been answered, you can click here set up a Violet collaboration instantly via the Kickoff Portal.
**Please note: The portal will require you to provide details about your book and allows you to set up a payment method.
Violet does not offer refunds or credits. Payments translate to occupying time on schedule online and offline. Progress made/progress presented is not an indication of time worked/energy spent/opportunities lost. Please only initiate a collaboration with me if you are sure you want to get your cover through Violet Design/coversbyviolet.com.
What to Expect
Once you’ve completed the kickoff portal, all your information will be reviewed and follow-up questions will be asked until the scope and specifications are clear enough to produce at least one first draft concept.
Once a draft concept is selected, the concept will be developed to completion with updates and additional questions along the way as necessary depending on the circumstances.
On full completion, revisions will be completed as needed until the final design is locked in.
Of course, this is just a very quick overview of what our agenda is. The actual collaboration process is much more fluid and dynamic than a 4-step explanation :)
The End (or beginning, I hope!)
I KNOW YOU LOVE WORDS, but that was still a lot to read so thanks for sticking with it and taking all this in! I think it’s safe to say you’re a Violet insider now.
The quickest and most efficient way to work with Violet is to go through the kickoff portal, and it definitely makes everything much easier for me. So if you are ready to get your cover made, you’re encouraged to go there now. Any information you’ve already provided will be merged with your submission, so no need to repeat yourself unless you want to. Before I reply, I’ll make sure to review and consider the totality of information you’ve shared.
However, I also don’t want you to have any unanswered questions and would definitely love to onboard you manually if that’s a better fit for our upcoming collaboration!
Thanks again and have a wonderful morning, day and night :)
Rena Violet
Designer, Founder
Violet Design
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More Questions:
When is it time to get interior formatting?
If you want a highly customized formatting and/or interior illustrations, you should bring this up when discussing the cover. Otherwise, formatting is generally handled as soon as possible after the cover is finished.
When is it time to have my blurb ready?
Violet believes in getting a rough blurb down in writing before you’ve written the . If you need help, please ask for a referral!
How can I promote my book pre-release?
Some ideas: advertise pre-orders, hype your book launch on social media and do book blog outreach.
When do I start gathering ARC readers?
As soon as possible, which is why you need the cover for pre-order and pre-release promotions.
What do I do if my book doesn’t sell?
This question requires more context and analysis, and the answer depends not only on your book and authorship but also on your marketing and commitment to success. I’m not a book coach though, so that’s just my general view on solving problems.
How do I start a collaboration?
Here’s another link to the kickoff portal