As some of you are aware, I removed my ebook services page. There were several reasons I did so, but the major one was that I really hate telling people “no” and I had too much going on in order to say “yes” to everyone who asked.
But the queries keep pouring in.
Here it is the 4th of July and the year is half over, and there are a lot of writers out there gearing up to get their books published in time for the next holiday season.
So this is to let you all know that I’ll be taking on new clients starting in August. Actually, the second half of August since the first part is already booked. I’ll activate my services/pricing page then.
Before you contact me, though, let me explain a little bit about myself and how I work.
- It’s just me. No employees, no sub-contractors. If I do a job for you, it’s me doing everything.
- I do custom work. I guess what you’d call me is a “boutique producer.” Every project is unique and I work very closely with writers to make their books stand out. I love a challenge.
- I care passionately about books in all their forms and when I put my credit for interior design in the book, it’s because I’m proud of it.
- I do my best to keep my prices as low as possible because 1) Many indie writers are on very tight budgets and I don’t want high prices preventing indies from producing a professional product; 2) As a reader, I don’t want high prices preventing indies from producing a professional product. Some books DO cost more to produce, but I’ll do my best to find creative ways to keep costs down.
- There are many things I can do: digital formatting, print-on-demand formatting; text restoration from printed material; cover modifications; line editing; proofreading; custom graphics.
- There are many things I cannot do: promotion; marketing; tell you how to distribute your work (I can tell you where, but YOU have to decide on the strategy).
- Somebody is going to proofread your book. You can hire me to do it, hire another proofreader, or do it yourself. But if you want me to produce your book, you must make arrangements because if I’m going to work so hard to make it LOOK good, then you have to do your part to make the text as clean as possible.
- The only time I do Word formats for ebooks is when the writer is using Smashwords and is also uploading an EPUB to them. I don’t do Word formats for any other market and I don’t do them as stand-alones.
In the meantime, if you have a project that you need done now and can’t wait until late August, I recommend Paul Salvette at bbebooksthailand.com or Guido Henkel. Either of them will take good care of you.
Also in the meantime, I’m getting a lot of queries about cover work. I can do cover modifications, including putting a spine and back cover on print on demand books, but I don’t do original artwork. I’ve been sending many people to Derek Murphy, but my understanding is that he is very popular and, hence, very busy. So if you have a favorite cover designer you can recommend for skill and professionalism, put a link in the comments and thank you in advance for helping out my readers.
Thanks all for your queries. I apologize to those I’ve had to turn away. I’ll be back up and available soon.
Hard to say no, isn’t it.
Tis. 😀
Jaye, I love what you do and wouldn’t think of using anyone else. I will be sure to give my next project a long lead time so I can fit into your busy formatting schedule.
Thank you, Margaret. Hurry up and get your next novel. I’m dying to see what you come up with.
Thank you so much, Jaye! My life is sort of upside down right now, so it will be many moons. But work is in progress.
Your work is fabulous, Jaye. It is understandable why so many are flocking to you! 🙂 (And thank you for all the advice & help with my last book.) I’m only 1/3 through the 1st draft of the sequel of MoTC. I may be knocking on your door next year.
As for book covers, I’ve been very happy with Travis at http://probookcovers.com
Thanks, Char. Eventually I’d like to build a page containing recommended cover designers. There are so many available, it’s hard to sort through them all.
I follow your blog because it makes sense of the stuff I don’t understand…and I hope to use your services at some point for a special project I’m working on. But here’s the link to a cover designer I use – http://www.idobookcovers.com – and tell Simon that Bridget Whelan sent you!! He might give me a great deal next time. He is exceptionally good at the demands of ebook covers and listens to what you say and is a thoroughly nice guy.
Thanks for the tip, Bridget. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the recommendation, Jaye. It means a lot to us! Are you planning to hire any staff?
I was going to, but then … stuff happened. Maybe next year. I am every the optimist. 🙂
Good advice! Thank you. Proto was here. He may be calling.
Cool! Nice to see you, Peter.