"TeMika's illustrations are amazing! The feedback I have received about the book (including the illustrations) has been overwhelming. She was great to work with on this project, and she took direction really well. Thank you for helping bring my story to life. I look forward to collaborating again on upcoming children's books...."
-Jamilah Tetterton,
Author of From Where Do We Come? Revisiting Our Past While Paving the Way Forward
-Jamilah Tetterton,
Author of From Where Do We Come? Revisiting Our Past While Paving the Way Forward
FAQs for Self-Published Authors
Q: TeMika, I love your work and I have a great story. How can I commission you to illustrate my book?
A: I love a great story! I also really enjoy helping people bring their personal projects to life (especially if I like the story and the intent). Below is what I have done in the past with my self-published authors.
CONTACT ME – Please review this FAQ sheet and become familiar with my style of art. Contact me by email or phone if you would like to send me your manuscript for review. If you need more adult work, please contact me directly....I have a separate website for that.
CONVERSATION – I like to talk with my authors to find out their project goals. I will ask you to tell me about your book to learn your vision for the book. We will have a nice little conversation. I will give you a general idea of what I can do based on my current schedule.
MY TOOLS – As you can see from my work, I really enjoy old fashioned paint, pencil and color that you can stick your fingers in! I do also use the computer (Wacom tablet, Photoshop and other digital art software) to manipulate, edit and finish my work.
AGREEMENT & ESTIMATE – I will provide you with a commission agreement based on our past conversation. The price will vary between projects depending on materials, level of detail, services and copyright required, additional scope, etc. You will be given an estimated price and schedule to deliver of work. Small projects (say cover art or minor illustrations) can be completed relatively quickly and will require a 50% deposit. Larger project (full book illustration) will require a 1/3 deposit to begin sketches (thumbnails included). The second payment will be due halfway through and final payment will be due upon completion.
THE SERVICE – I am able to create the illustrations and book design service including the preparation of high-resolution PDF book interior and cover files based on the publishing service chosen. I will create a PDF compilation of the book to submit for printing.
COST – Based on the service described above for complete illustrations and book design for a children’s book, you can expect a range of $3000 - $8000. The price depends on the manuscript that you submit, the number of pages, copyrights required, complexity of illustrations and book dimensions.
Typical Costs
Black & White Spot illustrations (single page) $75 each (min.)
One-page color illustration $250
Two-page spread $500
Book Cover Illustration & Design $250 - 500
Book Design without my Illustrations $25/page (Varies / project)
Novels Varies per project
At this time, I do not ask for a royalty on book sales from self-published authors. My fee is a one-time expense for the individual self-publisher.
COPYRIGHT – You will retain copyright of the manuscript you create. Under commissions for self-published authors we will enter into a work-for-hire one-time agreement. You are allowed to reproduce the images as you require for marketing and promotion of the book without royalty fees. However, the artist must be clearly identified as the illustrator on the cover or copyright page. If you intend to use the artwork for another purpose outside of the commission agreement, then a separate agreement must be negotiated and additional fees may apply.
PUBLISHING – The author is responsible for researching and choosing the Print-On-Demand service of their choice. You will retain control of the publishing process after I have completed my commission. In the past I have used CreateSpace, Blurb & Lulu. Please take the time to research your desired publisher based on your needs and budget. Have an idea of the book specifications to discuss with me. Doing your homework upfront will help you avoid lost time and the expense to redo a book does not meet the requirements.
EDITING – It is the author’s responsibility to edit the manuscript. I will make minor edits as needed, but I will not review and edit manuscripts that are unfinished or in their early stages of development.
COMMUNICATIONS – In today’s digital world, we can do many things online. I often use email and online file sharing sites to communicate and transfer files for review. You will have the opportunity to review the book in all phases of development, as well as, the final product before submission. Although we will communicate digitally, talking on the phone is beneficial to all parties so please contact me with any concerns. I always touch base with my clients throughout the process.
PAYMENTS - I accept payment (U.S. Dollars) via PAYPAL through my website.
Q: TeMika, I love your work and I have a great story. How can I commission you to illustrate my book?
A: I love a great story! I also really enjoy helping people bring their personal projects to life (especially if I like the story and the intent). Below is what I have done in the past with my self-published authors.
CONTACT ME – Please review this FAQ sheet and become familiar with my style of art. Contact me by email or phone if you would like to send me your manuscript for review. If you need more adult work, please contact me directly....I have a separate website for that.
CONVERSATION – I like to talk with my authors to find out their project goals. I will ask you to tell me about your book to learn your vision for the book. We will have a nice little conversation. I will give you a general idea of what I can do based on my current schedule.
MY TOOLS – As you can see from my work, I really enjoy old fashioned paint, pencil and color that you can stick your fingers in! I do also use the computer (Wacom tablet, Photoshop and other digital art software) to manipulate, edit and finish my work.
AGREEMENT & ESTIMATE – I will provide you with a commission agreement based on our past conversation. The price will vary between projects depending on materials, level of detail, services and copyright required, additional scope, etc. You will be given an estimated price and schedule to deliver of work. Small projects (say cover art or minor illustrations) can be completed relatively quickly and will require a 50% deposit. Larger project (full book illustration) will require a 1/3 deposit to begin sketches (thumbnails included). The second payment will be due halfway through and final payment will be due upon completion.
THE SERVICE – I am able to create the illustrations and book design service including the preparation of high-resolution PDF book interior and cover files based on the publishing service chosen. I will create a PDF compilation of the book to submit for printing.
COST – Based on the service described above for complete illustrations and book design for a children’s book, you can expect a range of $3000 - $8000. The price depends on the manuscript that you submit, the number of pages, copyrights required, complexity of illustrations and book dimensions.
Typical Costs
Black & White Spot illustrations (single page) $75 each (min.)
One-page color illustration $250
Two-page spread $500
Book Cover Illustration & Design $250 - 500
Book Design without my Illustrations $25/page (Varies / project)
Novels Varies per project
At this time, I do not ask for a royalty on book sales from self-published authors. My fee is a one-time expense for the individual self-publisher.
COPYRIGHT – You will retain copyright of the manuscript you create. Under commissions for self-published authors we will enter into a work-for-hire one-time agreement. You are allowed to reproduce the images as you require for marketing and promotion of the book without royalty fees. However, the artist must be clearly identified as the illustrator on the cover or copyright page. If you intend to use the artwork for another purpose outside of the commission agreement, then a separate agreement must be negotiated and additional fees may apply.
PUBLISHING – The author is responsible for researching and choosing the Print-On-Demand service of their choice. You will retain control of the publishing process after I have completed my commission. In the past I have used CreateSpace, Blurb & Lulu. Please take the time to research your desired publisher based on your needs and budget. Have an idea of the book specifications to discuss with me. Doing your homework upfront will help you avoid lost time and the expense to redo a book does not meet the requirements.
EDITING – It is the author’s responsibility to edit the manuscript. I will make minor edits as needed, but I will not review and edit manuscripts that are unfinished or in their early stages of development.
COMMUNICATIONS – In today’s digital world, we can do many things online. I often use email and online file sharing sites to communicate and transfer files for review. You will have the opportunity to review the book in all phases of development, as well as, the final product before submission. Although we will communicate digitally, talking on the phone is beneficial to all parties so please contact me with any concerns. I always touch base with my clients throughout the process.
PAYMENTS - I accept payment (U.S. Dollars) via PAYPAL through my website.