THANK YOU! This is great information. Very useful. I had this experience with my formatters who just disappeared for months in the middle of a major multi-book project.I had many corrections to be made. When I went to other formatters, they couldn't help without the "source files". I had no idea what those were. Now I know and will try to retrieve them from the original formatters who are now back in business.
I had that happen to my first book when I went back to change the dimensions to match my others... the partner of the deceased (DEF closed) tried to find my files...I don't even remember if they got them to me, but we (new cover design firm) managed to get it done!
Thanks for sharing your experience and how you've handled moving forward! I always ask for source files for my projects. In most cases, I get them but not always. I've actually just ran into this issue with my map designer. He did an awesome job on my map for my current series, but being a discovery/intuitive writer, I didn't have the whole map figured out (cities, castles, water bodies, etc.). Each book concentrates on just one part of the map for each kingdom. Now that the second book is almost done and I have locations to add, I found out my map maker went out of business. I'm still trying to figure out if I should hire a new designer or just do it myself....
Oh no! What a bummer. I'm sure there are other brilliant map makers out there, but it would be a bummer to start from scratch either way. Best of luck getting the map revised :)
I thought I had found a formatter but was very disappointed with the lack of customer service. Fortunately I do not impose artificial deadlines on myself. Though now I'm thinking I might want to utilize a less 'boutique' outfit and go with one of the bigger self-publisher outlets (like Book Baby). Among my fears with this first project is having mistakes made or getting completely ghosted. At least with a bigger 'factory' they have better hand-holding for the newer self-publishers, and are less likely to vanish overnight.
@@1MKWilliams Yeah. That would be ideal. Curious your opinion: After looking at the fantasy section of 100 Covers I was struck by how very similar they all looked. Is that 'good?' I know being an outlier isn't exactly great for marketing to a specific genre but I don't want my cover to be a clone of sorts. Every image looked the same with fluorescent colors and a light source in the middle... My daughter's art is fabulous and was created original for it, using a more classic palate. Just curious how you decide on that (cover art).
@@conwayfitzgerald the process with 100covers is that the author submits the genre but also a book description and examples of covers that you like. You can provide feedback and edits so it will be something you like.
@@1MKWilliams Yeah but sponsors critique aside, do you prefer to have a cover that looks similar to everything else? Or is there a value to being different.
Very sad 😢. Thanks for sharing
Yeah it's a bummer. Hoping to share some tips to make a silver lining
THANK YOU! This is great information. Very useful. I had this experience with my formatters who just disappeared for months in the middle of a major multi-book project.I had many corrections to be made. When I went to other formatters, they couldn't help without the "source files". I had no idea what those were. Now I know and will try to retrieve them from the original formatters who are now back in business.
Glad it helped!
I had that happen to my first book when I went back to change the dimensions to match my others... the partner of the deceased (DEF closed) tried to find my files...I don't even remember if they got them to me, but we (new cover design firm) managed to get it done!
Oh no!! I'm glad their partner tried to find the files. I'm glad you found a new team too.
Thanks for sharing your experience and how you've handled moving forward! I always ask for source files for my projects. In most cases, I get them but not always. I've actually just ran into this issue with my map designer. He did an awesome job on my map for my current series, but being a discovery/intuitive writer, I didn't have the whole map figured out (cities, castles, water bodies, etc.). Each book concentrates on just one part of the map for each kingdom. Now that the second book is almost done and I have locations to add, I found out my map maker went out of business. I'm still trying to figure out if I should hire a new designer or just do it myself....
Oh no! What a bummer. I'm sure there are other brilliant map makers out there, but it would be a bummer to start from scratch either way. Best of luck getting the map revised :)
@@1MKWilliams Thank you!
I thought I had found a formatter but was very disappointed with the lack of customer service. Fortunately I do not impose artificial deadlines on myself. Though now I'm thinking I might want to utilize a less 'boutique' outfit and go with one of the bigger self-publisher outlets (like Book Baby). Among my fears with this first project is having mistakes made or getting completely ghosted. At least with a bigger 'factory' they have better hand-holding for the newer self-publishers, and are less likely to vanish overnight.
Its always best to ask other authors for references or speak with authors who have used a service to get their feedback
@@1MKWilliams Yeah. That would be ideal. Curious your opinion: After looking at the fantasy section of 100 Covers I was struck by how very similar they all looked. Is that 'good?' I know being an outlier isn't exactly great for marketing to a specific genre but I don't want my cover to be a clone of sorts. Every image looked the same with fluorescent colors and a light source in the middle... My daughter's art is fabulous and was created original for it, using a more classic palate. Just curious how you decide on that (cover art).
@@conwayfitzgerald the process with 100covers is that the author submits the genre but also a book description and examples of covers that you like. You can provide feedback and edits so it will be something you like.
@@1MKWilliams Yeah but sponsors critique aside, do you prefer to have a cover that looks similar to everything else? Or is there a value to being different.
@@conwayfitzgerald best to meet reader expectations. So yes it will need to be on trend with the genre so readers know what they are getting