Here's a sneak peek at what's going to be up in the shop starting next week!
Remember, this month's designs aren't guaranteed to be back in the shop ever again! So purchase your cover today!
Happy Holidays!
This is an illustration I was hired to create for the New Orleans alt-weekly paper, Gambit. It was originally for the cover of one of their issues (you can see it here), but they liked it so much, they created this graphic to share online! So, I thought I'd use it and share my holiday wishes with you all!
See you in 2017!
LV Book Design is on Instagram
Did you know that LV Book Design is on Instagram? If you are on Instagram, too, you should follow me! I post inspiration, behind the scenes and other goodies on my stream. Leave me a comment if your on!
New in April!
Here's a look at the new covers available for sale in the shop this month! Remember, once a cover design is purchased, that cover will no longer be available. So don't miss out!
Pre-made Book Covers VS. Custom Designed Covers
Speaking from the design-perspective, there is a bit of a stigma attached to pre-made design products. While they are more budget-friendly, especially to someone going the self-published route, they can also look cheap. They may not fit the book's story, or feature a person that looks nothing like any of the main characters. Some pre-made products available on the market are created by amateur or beginner designers who are not practiced in informational hierarchy and are not polished in their work.
Most veteran designers encourage their clients to go the custom route, which allows for a cover that, most of the time, can better represent the story within its pages. The artwork isn't stock, the end product is polished and professional, and the client also is able to have a lot of input in the final product. However, the price point will always be higher than that of a pre-made cover.
The goal of LV Book Design is to help all authors, self-published or traditional/publisher based, reach a final product that not only they love but their readers will love as well. No matter the budget. With that in mind, I came to decision to offer high quality, pre-made covers. I didn't feel like I was offering all I could to self-published authors. Having seen first-hand the self-publishing process, and the costs that accumulate, I wanted to be able to help provide my veteran expertise to those who don't have the budget to hire a designer to create a cover for them from scratch.
There are cover artists out there who have low prices–but the old saying "You get what you pay for" holds it weight in most of these cases. I have been a designer for over ten years, and worked in publishing of one sort or the other for all them. I started LV Book Design to focus on my favorite form of publishing: the book. I wanted to offer my professionalism, my dedication to the craft, my enthusiasm for the art of writing and my many years of polished experience to self-publishing authors every where. So I sat down, and approached this project with the mindset of designing covers that I would personally be interested in picking up and reading. Normally, I have my clients fill out a questionnaire that helps me reach the right audience with the right message and the author's vision. With creating pre-made covers, I had imagine what story each cover was telling the world. Whether or not it fits with the product it eventually will go on doesn't matter to me. What I hope is that an author will see one of these designs and go "That one is perfect for my book!" Another hope is that perhaps an author or aspiring author will just be browsing and one of my covers will be inspired to tell its story.
I'll be updating the shop each month with new designs, and just know this: once a cover is sold, it will no longer be for sale. I want to help my clients as much as possible, and no one wants to share a cover!
As always, I wish you all the best and happy writing!
Getting To Know Your Designer: 10 Facts About LV
1. How did my childhood prepare me for this job?
Growing up, my world was filled with books. I began reading on my own at an early age and my family strongly encouraged my passion for reading as well as my passion for art. I had a point in my life when I was trying to decide if I wanted to become a writer or an artist; and even though design and art won out, I've never stopped loving books and have a strong respect for the craft of writing.
2. Favorite piece of art I own:
This is a tough one to answer, especially since my husband and I love to buy art every chance we get. I supposed I'd have to say that, at the moment, my favorite piece of art is a print by Sasha Yosselani that my husband got me for my birthday this year.
3. Did you know:
I've actually illustrated a children's book, Allen The Alligator Counts Through New Orleans. I also illustrate a bi-annual children's page in New Orlean's alternative weekly, Gambit, for their KIDS issues called WhoDat and WhoDon't.
4. Guilty pleasure:
Binge watching T.V. shows on Netflix and Hulu.
5. What am I currently reading:
I just finished The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima and I'm about to start Wicked Temper by Randy Thornhorn.
6. Did you know:
I have a personal blog as well, called Lazy Lady. Over there you will find more personal interests like tabletop gaming, my book club, and more.
7. Favorite part of this job:
Helping writers see their works come to life through my cover (and interior) designs. And, getting to read more books, if I'm totally honest.
8. First book to make an impact on my life:
It's really a series. The Chronicles of Narnia.
9. Did you know:
I was one of the judges for the 2014 National Beard and Moustache Finals (picture proof to the right). It was one of the weirdest and greatest opportunities I've had the pleasure of having come my way. It was a blast and I'd do it again in a heart beat!
10. My family is:
Full and happy with my husband and our little zoo (our big cat Mei-Mei, our dog Bigby and our turtle Paul).