Book Cover Turn Around?

[J.J. Oxendine]

Are book cover designers as booked up as editors? Just curious as to how long it might take for me to get one.

[T.L. Haddix]

We're booked through the end of February at Streetlight Graphics as far as cover design goes, and into mid-March for formatting. Not sure about others. Interesting question, though.

[J.J. Oxendine]

Thanks for the information! I'm going to be ready to get mine the first of March so was curious as to what the turn around usually is. This helps. And this is for you and anyone who responds, do you prefer that potential clients ask a few weeks in advance of when they want the cover or just ask when they are ready and get a date as to when you can do it then?

[T.L. Haddix]

We're flexible, but it's always nice to have notice.

[cegesmith]

I've used the same designer for all 3 of my covers (the 2 in my siggy and 1 I'm launching in 2 weeks).  For the initial cover it took longer. She was running a super inexpensive promotion and was booked out several weeks, but moved a few things around for me so it took about 3 weeks.  The subsequent 2 covers took about 1-1/2 weeks as we had already figured out a rhythm. I noticed with this last cover the concept piece moved really quickly because she's figured out what I like and don't like.    (the search for suitable stock photos slowed us down).

I am sure it's different for everyone, and it wouldn't hurt at all if you find someone you like to do a quick inquiry on how their current workload looks. I don't think expecting something by the end of February is an unreasonable turnaround request at all.

[Alan Petersen]

I think that would be hard to gauge since there are so many factors involved and every designer is different.

For my book cover, it took a week for the designer. Including tweaks to the design.

[Richardcrasta]

Can any of you please give me a ballpark figure, even a range, for the per-cover design fee from the outfits that you approached (of professional quality)?

[Alan Petersen]

Can any of you please give me a ballpark figure, even a range, for the per-cover design fee from the outfits that you approached (of professional quality)?

I've seen quotes from $50 to $1,600 just for the book cover design.  For professional quality they seemed to be in the $200+ range for design only.

I opened up a job posting on eLance andoDesk with a max budget of $500. Between the two sites I received over 40 quotes. The average quote was $157. Low $80, high $375.

I ended up choosing a graphic artist from eLance.

I like using those sites because payment is escrowed so both parties are protected and you get to see many proposals.