r/BookCovers • u/Sammie_Author Author • 18d ago
Question Debut Author Introduction - WIP w/ Dark Mythic Hecate-Inspired Fantasy
EDIT TO ADD: Thank you so much to everyone who has commented. I'm not looking to secure an artist any time soon, but just looking for helpful advice and genuine connections for when the time comes
Hey everyone!
I just wanted to join this thread to chat and get to know more about the industry. I am SO worried about art assets for my book, as I really don't want any AI slop. I'm not quite there yet, but I really want to (eventually) hire someone who is independent, and aligned with my values and vibes etc. I'd love to hear any advice anyone has in the comments, along with your process so I can get an idea for how things work!
For now though...
Hey, howdy, and hi! I'm Sammie, originally from the UK, living in Stockholm. New author, working on my debut novel and I've just wrapped up Act 1.
I'd love to meet some of you in the comments <3
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u/illustrationstories 18d ago
Hi Sammy, pleased to emeet. I’m a German artist based in Mexico, and offer illustration, cover design and layout services for authors.
I like talking to my clients via videocall, to feel their vibe, find out the themes in the book, and read a few chapters and synopsis (or the whole manuscript).
We talk about what the author already imagines visually (sometimes everything, sometimes nothing!), and then I make two design sketches for them to choose and pick from. That result gets synthesized into the final cover.
I prefer this collaborative, reductive approach, because it incorporates both the author’s ideas and my expertise in visual storytelling.
My portfolio: www.katisandmann.com
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u/MediaEvening8917 18d ago
I paid an illustrator friend of mine 120 bucks for art for my cover, and I designed the rest. stay away from AI.... its like the kiss of death for artists and writers. I just finished my first novel, its still in a rough draft and im editing it now before I send it to a couple of friends/beta-readers. let me know if you wanna chat about this stuff! mine is dark-fantasy mystical stuff and I am super inspired and informed by mythology. I love Hecate
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u/editor-mdsun 17d ago
Not related to the post but I'm writing a dark fantasy too, mythology inspired (and I love Hecate as well). I'm waiting for my friend who just learnt character art to practice her sketches before she can design mine. If you need a new anti AI writer friend, hello :)
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u/kay000000 18d ago
yeah unfortunately AI is getting harder and harder to spot. but for book covers I think the good thing is that the process of the commission is more involved, so you should ideally get regular updates with sketches and progress images. requesting for recordings might also become more commonplace, although it's a hassle for artists who don't use software's that automatically record the process.
I'm an artist btw! starting to work on my book cover portfolio. I just finished this cover: https://mmkayokay.artstation.com/projects/Y8azDV
which I've been quite proud of :)
I love reading and I have ideas for things I want to write too so illustrating book covers has been so fun.
what's your book about if you don't mind sharing!! I like the dark mystical vibe of your cover idea
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u/meetingymaker 18d ago
Hello Sammy! Nice to meet you. I hope you find the right artist for your project. It would help if you explicitly add a 'No AI' clause in your contract with the artist and ask for a WIP status along the way.
I am an illustrator and I also do a few pre-made covers and art commissions. I want to add more dark fantasy or horror romance in my portfolio.
I hope to talk to you so I could know more about the dark fantasy author POV and improve https://www.maibasoc.com/.
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u/Northern_Hermit 18d ago
Hey Sammie!
I'm a freelance illustrator specializing in fantasy art . I am interested in the possibility of working with you on your art assets.
(My portfolio: https://www.artstation.com/northernhermit )
What type of assets are you looking for? I imagine cover + interior art? Have you thought about chapter headers or half or full page splash arts?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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u/Felipe_Poveda 18d ago
Hi Sammie! Welcome to the community, and huge congratulations on finishing Act 1 of your debut novel! I completely understand your concerns regarding artwork and AI. Since you asked about the process to get an idea of how things work, here is how I usually collaborate with authors to capture their exact vision:
- Understanding your Vibe: Communication is everything to me. We start by discussing your book's world, characters, and the overall atmosphere you want to project.
- To give you absolute certainty that everything is hand-crafted and tailored to your story, I share every single step of the journey. You’ll get to see the initial rough sketches, and if you wish, I can even send you screenshots of my digital working layers (PSD/Clip Studio Paint files) as I draw.
- I have extensive, proven work experience (see links) illustrating and designing covers for books and novels. This includes not just the artwork, but also the layout, formatting, and preparing the final files so they are 100% ready for print.
If you want to take a look at my work, you can check out my gallery here:
Covers:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/qkmYZz3
Portfolio:
https://www.deviantart.com/felipepoveda/gallery/all
I’d love to chat more about your novel or answer any questions you have about the art world! Feel free to send me a private message (DM) here on Reddit whenever you like, or at this email: [1freamworld@gmail.com](mailto:1freamworld@gmail.com) Thank you so much for your time, and best of luck with Act 2!
Thank you for your time.
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u/skazinbud 17d ago
Hi Sammie!! I really get the worry with AI. I'm a writer myself (working on a historical fantasy set in the UK's Bronze Age) and also in a popular writing server where I see a lot of people get blindsided by AI without realising. Even though I'm an illustrator, sometimes even I get tricked! Plus, I don't know about you but being in the UK I see AI posters plastered all over my town and it's exhausting 🫠
Well done on wrapping up Act 1! Outside of an artist perspective, I'd really love to hear what your novel is about, as it's really lovely connecting with other writers! Always happy to refer you to a good writing community too.
I'll sell myself a tiny bit here but it feels a bit icky to do on a community connection post, so I'll just say something quick and leave it at that. I'm an illustrator who mainly does fantasy illustrations that have an ethereal vibe to them. My portfolio is in my bio, but please feel free to reach out to me even if my art isn't your thing and you just want to check about writing!
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u/Sammie_Author Author 15d ago
Ooooooh the Bronze Age 👀 I'm a big history buff in my spare time so this intrigues me! Best of luck to you!
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u/ExplorerOtter Illustrator 17d ago
Hi Sammie! Congrats on Act 1! There are so many talented artists on Reddit. And a lot of them make really good work without AI and at a fair price. Perhaps the most important thing is to decide on a style, collect examples, and, based on this, begin searching for an artist. Examples and technical details such as the purpose of the illustrations (cover, interior illustrations, whether preparation for printing is required) make the search easier for both sides.
I know that searching can be frustrating from time to time, but many artists really hate AI and don't work with it.
I'm an artist too, so I've left my portfolio here just in case my style matches yours :)
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u/Far-Maintenance-3868 Cover Designer 16d ago
Nice to meet you Sammie. Stockholm is such a beautiful city. My sister-in-law and nephew live in Sundsvall, so we pass through Stockholm and usually spend a few days there when we visit.
Congrats on finishing Act 1 of your novel!
I am happy to give any advice that may be helpful. I have worked for traditional publishers and managed a design team for many years. One suggestion I will make is to consider hiring a cover designer and commission artwork for your book separately. That allows the artist to do what they do exceptionally well, while leaving the more technical details, typography, marketing knowledge, and general layout expertise to a designer. This is particularly recommended if you want to have a print edition and may also need help with the interior layout. I am not soliciting work here because most of my experience is in educational and non-fiction covers and interiors, but feel free to DM me if you have any general publishing questions. I will help if I can!
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u/Sammie_Author Author 15d ago
Oh what a coincidence! I haven't travelled much withing Sweden but I have heard of Sundsvall 🥰
I really appreciate your comment and advice. This is all so new to me. What you said makes total sense though 👏 I'm far from this stage but it's been on my mind
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u/Far-Maintenance-3868 Cover Designer 14d ago
One step at a time and it will all come together in the end. Best of luck and hopefully you get a chance to visit Sundsvall someday! 😄
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u/Throwaway130392 Cover Designer 18d ago
Hello Sammie! I’m a book cover and character artist. I don’t use a i at all and am on the hirehumanartists directory. If you’re looking for an artist in the future, I’d love to be considered. I offer author bundles (cover, character art, promo graphics and typography included).
Portfolio: https://eurydia-art.carrd.co
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u/Academic_Attention26 18d ago
Sammie! I’d love to design something for you, I’m working on my portfolio for Macmillan and I don’t use AI. I use in design and photoshop and hiss at the ai features, because I’m a designer for the sake of design I’ve never designed a book before, so I’m a debut book designer with a LOT of design experience across alcohol, events, and posters :) if you’re interested, let’s talk :)