Cover question... not a typical one...

[J Dean]

How long did it take for your cover to be finished by a professional designer?

Just curious.

[Nathan Lowell]

I hired three covers. Had an idea about what I wanted in all three -- along with a unifying theme.

It took about a week for the initial treatments, and about a week each for the finished artwork.

[The Dark Rayne]

I do book covers and after the stock image has been decided and I have the stock provider's approval, it does not take more than a day or 2 at max.

[J Dean]

Oh.... so four months is a little long?

[Mark Fassett]

I've had my artist take as little as a month and as many as four months, depending on his work load. It would also depend on the complexity of the job and whether they make custom art or use stock images.

[Bards and Sages (Julie)]

Oh.... so four months is a little long?

Unless the artist has an enormous backlog of requests, then I would say yes.

This is why my contracts always specify a due date. 

[ToniD]

For both my covers, I gave my designer some ideas; meaning he didn't start from scratch. He took about two weeks for each.

Four months is very long!

[PAWilson]

have you contacted the designer and stated an expected date? Was there an exit clause in your contract? Good luck. I now do my own covers - for better or worse - but the one I contracted out too about a week all in.

[Italiahaircolor]

Oh.... so four months is a little long?

4 months?  Are you kidding me?  That's insane.  No, a cover should never take 4 months unless you've commissioned an artist to create something from scratch and they are literally painting the entire scape ... and even then ...

Did you have a date with the artist where you would get the cover completed?  How about this, have you seen progress throughout?  If not ... I'd consider getting seriously serious about moving on, getting a refund and finding someone new.

[J Dean]

4 months?  Are you kidding me?  That's insane.  No, a cover should never take 4 months unless you've commissioned an artist to create something from scratch and they are literally painting the entire scape ... and even then ...

Did you have a date with the artist where you would get the cover completed?  How about this, have you seen progress throughout?  If not ... I'd consider getting seriously serious about moving on, getting a refund and finding someone new.

Admittedly the cover I requested was a little different than her normal stuff, so I figured it wouldn't be a quick job and decided to be patient.  I've tried contacting her twice and haven't heard back.

[Italiahaircolor]

Admittedly the cover I requested was a little different than her normal stuff, so I figured it wouldn't be a quick job and decided to be patient.  I've tried contacting her twice and haven't heard back.

Unacceptable. 

Did you pay via paypal?  If so, you may be within the window of time for a refund, but 4 months ... it's probably running out. It's for that reason, I'd e-mail again simply saying that although you went into this with the best of intentions, unfortunately you've decided that at this point in time, due to the lack of communication and extended time frame, you've decided to seek out another designer.  And ... because it's only right ... mention that you'd like a refund. 

Normally, I'd say wait it out ... e-mail again, make sure she isn't having any health issues.  But, since you've reached out twice ... I'm guessing those two e-mails were spaced out ... and it's been 4 months ... I'm concerned that you'll end up not only out the cover but your money as well.

Did you sign a contract?  Was there a clause about something like this?  If so, I'm curious to know what the terms were.

[J Dean]

Unacceptable. 

Did you pay via paypal?  If so, you may be within the window of time for a refund, but 4 months ... it's probably running out. It's for that reason, I'd e-mail again simply saying that although you went into this with the best of intentions, unfortunately you've decided that at this point in time, due to the lack of communication and extended time frame, you've decided to seek out another designer.  And ... because it's only right ... mention that you'd like a refund. 

Normally, I'd say wait it out ... e-mail again, make sure she isn't having any health issues.  But, since you've reached out twice ... I'm guessing those two e-mails were spaced out ... and it's been 4 months ... I'm concerned that you'll end up not only out the cover but your money as well.

Did you sign a contract?  Was there a clause about something like this?  If so, I'm curious to know what the terms were.

Forutnately, I did not sign or prepay at all, which is in part my reason for my patience.  I'm not losing any money on this so it's not a financial setback.  But I'm beginning to wonder whether or not she looked at what I asked for and decideed that she can't do it, and just decided to not tell me.

May I please scream because I cannot seem to win at all for getting a cover?

[amiblackwelder]

For both my covers, I gave my designer some ideas; meaning he didn't start from scratch. He took about two weeks for each.

Four months is very long!

Giving ideas is very different from original artwork. If he is painting this himself, that is not long especially if he has other clients. If he is simply using stock images, then yes this is long.

[Italiahaircolor]

Forutnately, I did not sign or prepay at all, which is in part my reason for my patience.  I'm not losing any money on this so it's not a financial setback.  But I'm beginning to wonder whether or not she looked at what I asked for and decideed that she can't do it, and just decided to not tell me.

May I please scream because I cannot seem to win at all for getting a cover?

If you are going to move on, I might suggest you try out Renu.  She's the artist I worked with and she was not only extremely fast ... but communicative as well. 

[Italiahaircolor]

Giving ideas is very different from original artwork. If he is painting this himself, that is not long especially if he has other clients. If he is simply using stock images, then yes this is long.

But whats the reason for not replying to e-mails?  OP said he's tried twice to no avail.  The time line is shady, but the lack of communication is reason enough to move on elsewhere IMO.

[Bards and Sages (Julie)]

Forutnately, I did not sign or prepay at all, which is in part my reason for my patience.  I'm not losing any money on this so it's not a financial setback.  But I'm beginning to wonder whether or not she looked at what I asked for and decideed that she can't do it, and just decided to not tell me.

May I please scream because I cannot seem to win at all for getting a cover?

If you don't have a contract that spells out when art is due, how much is to be paid and when, and who owns the art when it is complete, then you should have your hand slapped. *Starts rummaging around looking for a ruler*  ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get a contract, particularly for art!  Without a contract, you will always come out looking like the bad guy.  Neither of you signed a contract, so my bet is your project is considered "a favor" sort of thing and keeps getting pushed aside for other jobs.  And yes, every day your book is not available for sale you are losing money! 

[J Dean]

If you don't have a contract that spells out when art is due, how much is to be paid and when, and who owns the art when it is complete, then you should have your hand slapped. *Starts rummaging around looking for a ruler*  ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get a contract, particularly for art!  Without a contract, you will always come out looking like the bad guy.  Neither of you signed a contract, so my bet is your project is considered "a favor" sort of thing and keeps getting pushed aside for other jobs.  And yes, every day your book is not available for sale you are losing money! 

You are, as always, very right on these literary matters, Julie.  Thank you

Sorry... My goal is not to turn this into a "Woe is me" thread, but when you've contacted four different people for artwork, and each one says "Oh Yeah!" and then drops you for it, it gets pretty tiring and frustrating.

[Jon Olson]

Forutnately, I did not sign or prepay at all, which is in part my reason for my patience.  I'm not losing any money on this so it's not a financial setback.  But I'm beginning to wonder whether or not she looked at what I asked for and decideed that she can't do it, and just decided to not tell me.

May I please scream because I cannot seem to win at all for getting a cover?

I guess I'd just send an email cancelling and move on to someone else. Obviously, it's not a priority for him/her.

[KateDanley]

Admittedly the cover I requested was a little different than her normal stuff, so I figured it wouldn't be a quick job and decided to be patient.  I've tried contacting her twice and haven't heard back.

I ran into a similar situation.  There was a reputable cover artist who had been doing amazing work, said he wanted to do my project, I sent him the info, and then dropped off the face of the planet.  (P.S. Good for you for not paying any money upfront!)  I sent a couple emails to see how things were progressing, which received no response.  At the two month mark, I sent an email saying that since I had not heard from him, I was assumed he had been unable to work on my project and I wished to terminate my cover request.  Never heard anything from them on that either, but at least I had created a paper trail.

So, don't be afraid to move on!  I recently engaged Char Marie Adels http://nephan.deviantart.com/ to do a cover, she was WONDERFUL, affordable, and turned it around in a week.

[Bards and Sages (Julie)]

If you need recommendations, I can recommend a couple of people to you who do amazing work (not photoshop or stock images. Original art).  

[ToniD]

Giving ideas is very different from original artwork.

Totally agree.
 

[Rex Jameson]

I had someone on these forums take my money and run with it for my Angels and Demons cover. I ended up doing the cover myself. Because of that experience, I'm unlikely to ever try a stock-art manipulator on Kindleboards again. Also, I'd recommend NEVER agreeing to pay everything up front. Half up front seems the norm for a new working relationship, but you've got to be careful. Find their references and talk to them. Ask them questions and make sure this is going to work for you.

I'll probably stick with Christopher Steininger, even though he's more expensive than most. He's always on time, and he illustrates what I ask for. A couple of months isn't bad at all for original art. Four months would be the norm for an artist who has a lot on his/her plate. Commission early for your release.

Also, if you've paid nothing as part of the commission, I wouldn't expect art. Something is wrong with a relationship where the commissioner doesn't put down financial incentive for the artist to do original art--especially if this is a new relationship and the artist has no reason to trust you.

[J Dean]

If you need recommendations, I can recommend a couple of people to you who do amazing work (not photoshop or stock images. Original art).  

I think I'll have to take you up on that, Julie.  Thank you.  I owe you one.

You know, you'd think that people would be more than willing to jump aboard with money involved.

[KateDanley]

You'd think... 

Just wanted to direct you to this thread, too, if you'd like to shop around.

http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,97338.msg1501386.html

Some KBers have been posting sales as they come across them.  There are some really lovely options out there.