Authors and aspiring authors-take note!
WHAT MADE
YOU DECIDE TO OPEN UP
SAHARA:
We both love art. We've both done covers, and Scott is the best there is. It
was a natural result of so many conversations about it over the years and also
mutual trust. You can’t start a company with someone unless you trust them
completely.
SCOTT:
Like Sahara said, we both love art. We talk all the time about it and I wanted
to have a place where people can get anything they want for their books.
Covers, promo, whatever they want, at a good price and with a personal touch.
It was the right time and the opportunity was there so we decided to go for it.
WHAT TYPES
OF SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE ON YOUR SITE?
SAHARA:
A little bit of everything, really. We don’t actually PRINT anything, though.
We do the designs only. We’re getting more and more requests for print flats as
authors decide to produce their own print books. Our personal experiences with
those places really helps.
SCOTT:
We do let people know if there is something they need that we can’t provide we
recommend someone that can. Like editing and a few other services. I do
shoulder and back rubs but that a different story.
IS YOUR SITE
ONLY FOR PUBLISHED AUTHORS?
SAHARA Nope. We’ll help anyone who needs some art. Bloggers, readers…whoever. Haven’t
designed a tattoo yet, but there’s always a first…
SCOTT:
We cater to anyone. Tattoos, hmm.... Have to try that.
DO YOU GET
MANY CLIENTS WHO ARE SELF-PUBLISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND NEED A COVER?
SAHARA: It’s hard to tell. So many of us are turning to self-publishing, either
re-releasing back list books or offering new ones. Our clientele seems spread
through those who are multi-published and new to SELF-publishing, those who
only self-publish, and a few small publishing companies who enjoy the
convenience of a central location for their art needs.
SCOTT: The growing number of self-pubbed authors is another reason we opened up. I wanted them to get professional looking covers and promo and not get hammered with the high costs. We self-pub also and I know the initial cost can really be a burden. So we try to keep those down.
DESCRIBE
BRIEFLY THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH A CLIENT TO PUT TOGETHER A COVER?
SAHARA: Since Scott is really the “heart of the art” at P and N, I’m going to let him take this question.
SCOTT:
Oh thanks, drop it on me. The main thing
is talking to the author to get a feel for what they want. We have a form on
our site for them to fill out and need as much info as possible. That’s the
key. I tend to be very personal and as an author know how the cover is
important to someone stopping to see what the book is. So if the author has
main elements I try to put everything in I can and make the author happy.
Sometimes it is completely different than what they envisioned but the main
thing is making the readers see the cover, get a feel for the book, and pick it
out of the others to read.
DO YOU
DESIGN GRAPHICS OTHER THAN BOOK COVERS? IF SO, WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
SAHARA: Absolutely. The process is 90% communication and 10% inspiration. We talk to
our clients, via email, work up some sample ideas to start with and go from
there. Logos, brands all that kind of stuff. So much fun!
SCOTT:
Like Sahara said, communication. The process itself is similar to covers and anything else graphically. Something appealing and represents the author. We
have done logos, websites, banners, the large freestanding banners at RT. I was
Art Director for Samhain Publishing for 6 years before starting our company, so
anything that goes with publishing, I’ve done, lol.
DO YOU
CONTINUE TO WRITE AS WELL AS DO DESIGN WORK?
SAHARA: Yes indeed. I HAVE to shout out about Scott’s latest release…FULL SERVICE It’s
the third book in the Working Stiffs series and just released over Easter Weekend. Wonderful characters, a lovely real
story about real people and – yeah – really steamy heat!! LOL
HOW DO YOU FEEL SITES LIKE YOURS CAN HELP AUTHORS IN THIS EVER-CHANGING INDUSTRY?
SAHARA: We like to think we provide a simple, reasonably-priced service that gives
authors what they want. Also a little bit more control. We’re authors
ourselves. It’s our strongest selling point, because we understand.
SCOTT:
You need to get noticed. There are a million people saying they do cover art
and take a simple picture and throw type on it and boom, you are exactly like
the other books and just blend in. I like to think we give authors a
professional looking cover that is theirs that they are proud to show. If the
author is happy, it comes through. The rest of the promo also helps but you
need to come across as the real-deal. Price is also important which is why we
try so hard to get low printing prices and low pricing for the art.
Until next time~
Amanda
DO YOU EVER
TAKE APPOINTMENTS AT CONFERENCES? IF SO, CAN YOU GIVE US AN ITINERARY OF WHERE
YOU’LL BE APPEARING?
Sahara:
We’re not really used to taking “appointments”. LOL But we love talking to
anyone at any time. At the bar, in the hallways, in the elevators…ask us a
question and we’re off and running. We
love that. And we hope to be doing a lot
of it at the RT Booklovers Convention in Kansas City. I’ll
be at the Authors After Dark event in Savannah come August, and Lora Leigh’s
RAW in September. Although those are author events for me, I will be available
for any and all P and N questions. October will be fun, because that’s when both
of us attend IndieCon (Tennessee), and after that, P and N is one of the
sponsors of Hot Mojave Knights, a couple of weeks later in Nevada. We’re working
on arrangements for that one right now, but I’m definitely going. Vegas, baby. LOL
SCOTT:
I’ll have my secretary get back to you. My office is anywhere you see me. Just
don’t follow me into the bathroom. Conferences are easily the best place to
catch us. We’re always around and Sahara calls me a social butterfly. I think
that’s cause I’m always flying around babbling on to anyone that will listen.
I
just go where Sahara tells me to go. Definitely RT and IndieCon but maybe a few other places also. I may go to Hot Mohave Nights since it’s close to me. I love
talking and helping people.
DO YOU HAVE
ANY ADVICE TO THE ASPIRING AUTHORS OUT THERE; WHO MAY NOT YET BE PUBLISHED
(EITHER TRADITIONALLY OR NON-TRADITIONALLY) IS IT WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY TO
INVEST IN PROMOTION?
Sahara:
Oh, tough question. You have to let people know about your books, certainly.
But how? I wouldn’t want to advise anyone on how to fulfill their own
promotional needs. We just give ‘em the tools and the designs. How they use
them after that? Up to them.
SCOTT:
The double edge here is that they do need to get out there. It’s easy to write your first book and assume everyone will want it. The reality is some will take
a chance but there are so many others out there.
I wouldn't recommend spending
a lot of money on everything all the other authors are doing. Some authors are
phenomenal at promoting their books and spend a lot of money doing it.
If
you are new you need to get something that is you. If you like bookmarks get one, but make it different than others with a rainbow tassel or something a
little different.
We
offer this little package that goes with all your electronic devices. It was Sahara’s brainchild and it is to promote the writer. Laptop, phone, all that.
Wherever you go, it’s there. That’s the kind of thing I think people see.
Have you ever wanted to have a brand for your writing, maybe you're looking for a professional look for your blog, website, or facebook page?
Be sure to check out their site at P and N Graphics
Today for those leaving a comment, P and Graphic's will give one lucky winner a personalized T-shirt!!
Have you ever wanted to have a brand for your writing, maybe you're looking for a professional look for your blog, website, or facebook page?
Be sure to check out their site at P and N Graphics
Today for those leaving a comment, P and Graphic's will give one lucky winner a personalized T-shirt!!
~*~
And thanks for their amazing graphic design on my new release RUGGED HEARTS, hitting the streets April 24, 2013!!Until next time~
Amanda
