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January 20, 2007
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Secret Realm of the Cover Artist

Journal Entry: Sat Jan 20, 2007, 3:36 PM
  • Mood: Confused
  • Listening to: Keith Urban
  • Reading: The Shadow Rising - R. Jordan
  • Watching: Racing Stripes
  • Eating: Nothing - On a diet!
  • Drinking: Water
Please excuse me if this post is all over the place but my brain is in overload ATM :spin:.

For as long as I can remember I've always looked at books (especially fantasy/sci-fi and dare I say it, Romance) and wished that one day I might be able to create artwork good enough to grace their covers.  Well. Whilst this dream is a little way off yet, I thought I could start looking into what's involved with being a Cover Artist. Thing is I'm not quite sure where to start?

My list of confusion starts with stock. Obviously I'd have to rely on stockists willing to allow their images to be used outside of DA. But what if I can't find what I'm looking for on DA? Find another stock site, which usually involves paying $$. Now, I'm not adverse to the idea of paying for stock but what is considered reasonable?? I mean, I've seen stock for US$400 and up - :eyepopping: WTF??  Then there's the whole argument that if I am going to create individual artworks then I want one-off stock that no-one else is using. Does this mean that I then have to hire a photographer and model?   I guess spending all this money is fine if I have a commission. But I couldn't afford to do this just for the fun of it.  

Then there's the million dollar question 'How much should I charge for my services?' and do I need a course certificate/degree behind me. It all sounds a bit scary.  Of course if I was able to get a job with a publisher they might take some of the load off. I've searched the web briefly for any info on the secret realm of Cover Artists but can't find much useful info.  Then there's the whole copyright thing, which believe me, goes waaaaaaay over my head (thick as two planks, I am :slow:), and I guess I'd want a web page (ha ha just add another plank why don't we) ........ Ppppppfffffftttttttttttt .... :headache: there we go. OVERLOAD!!!

Oy .. I think I need a lie-down :faint:.

Would love to hear your thoughts/suggestions/experiences on any of this.

CLUBS:

:icondigital-eloquence: :iconmanipulatethis: :icondreamers-of-avalon: :iconmedievalcommunity: :iconcrikey:


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:iconeverild-wolfden:
=Everild-Wolfden Feb 9, 2007  Professional Writer
Hmm, from what I understand about copyrights (and this is just off the top of my head, so don't take it as read) - in the UK, anything over 50 years old is in the public domain. In the US, it's anything over 100 years. As for copyrighting your own work, you automatically have the copyright, as soon as your idea is created in a tangible form. With images, it's great - if you look at the propertis of a file, it states the date that you saved it to your hard drive as the date of creation. If somebody copies a graphic from your web site I assure you that the date of creation on your copy of the file is earlier than the copy taken off your web site. If that still doesn't feel like enough proof for you, save everything to a floppy disk and mail it to yourself via certified mail. Keep the envelope sealed, wrap it in protective plastic and put it in a safe place.

[link] - a great little page telling you the ins and outs of copyright.

You don't have to register something with a copyright company in order for it to be covered by the copyright law, but it's just peace of mind, and help in the courts should anything happen. They'll provide a certificate as proof that they are holding the work that the person created under their banner. You have to be careful though, as some companies expect the rights to be transfered to them.

Hope that breaks it down a bit for you!
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:iconlyntaylor:
~LynTaylor Feb 9, 2007  Professional Writer
Wow! Thanks so much for this info. And thanks for the link :hug:
Reply
:iconeverild-wolfden:
=Everild-Wolfden Feb 9, 2007  Professional Writer
No problem! Glad I could repay the favour! :D
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:icondayxdreamer:
I've always dreamt of making cover art for sci-fi books. :D I'd love to be that talented, and also earn money doing something I like!
:giggle:
Well I don't know if it would help much.. but you're always welcome to request stock photos from me on .
Reply
:iconlyntaylor:
~LynTaylor Jan 21, 2007  Professional Writer
:D Aww thanks. Might need you to round up some young good looking fella's *nudge, nudge, wink, wink* :lol:
Reply
:icondayxdreamer:
Haha... I'm sure I'd enjoy that. :giggle:
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:iconlyntaylor:
~LynTaylor Jan 21, 2007  Professional Writer
:D Yes, so would I ;)
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:icondayxdreamer:
We can go 'good looking fella' searching together. :giggle:
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:iconlyntaylor:
~LynTaylor Jan 21, 2007  Professional Writer
He he ... might be a bit sad draggin' an old bag around like me :D
Reply
:icondayxdreamer:
I doubt you're an old bag! :)
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