A Cooperative Press for Indie Authors discussion

So I thought I would share my small adventure into cover art to give some helpful information to others so they might avoid my pitfalls.

My first cover was done by my daughter's boyfriend, and while not perfect, I was generally happy with it. That wasn't the case this time around. I knew I was running a risk using someone I knew, but I wanted the first and second covers to have the same visual feel to them. The second painting was simply too bad for me to use. After 4 revisions and a constant sense he would rather be eating cheerios than working on my cover, I had to say thanks but no thanks.

I checked with some online artists, but they were well above my fixed budget. I then started working on the cover myself. I am not great, but I figured I could get it done. Then a good friend suggested Fivrr. I went there and thought maybe someone there could put the finishing touches on the cover I had started. I contacted someone new, thinking they would be hungry to build a reputation. It was a disaster. They said they had 7 years professional experience but were clueless about the most rudimentary aspects of graphic design. I'm not sure I would even give them an amateur rating. It was heinous. One of the animals had a floating leg after they de-pixilated him.

So, a heads up if that happens at Fivrr, just request a mutual parting from the artist. They don't want bad reviews and you can move on to someone more to your liking. Your money is refunded to a Fivrr escrow that can be used to make a new contract with another artist. The 5% fee is not refunded, but you will not be charged a fee using the returned money for future contracts. That sucks a little, but I was just happy to move on.

I decided to go to the highest rated and check there. I found someone who is not only knowledgeable, but doing my requested work at a fourth of the original contract that went south.

In conclusion, I am staying away from relatives and friends. I am happy with Fivrr for the most part. I am not sure how they can work for so cheap as it is difficult work and they deserve more. But, if you are budget restrained, I think it is an incredible deal. Just stay with someone that has been reviewed more than a couple times.

J.W.
Thanks for some good information. One of the important aspects of self-publishing is the vetting of editorial and artistic resources. One of the goals of IACP/Co-oPress is to bring together authors, editors, artists, and others necessary to self-publishing so that we can help 'build' each others' reputations. We must all be apprentices before we become masters at our arts. I would encourage you and others to invite editorial and artistic talent you have employed to join us at IACP/Co-oPress so that we can list them in our Members area. They could list those members they have done work for as references.