Storyhound

Book Cover Design FAQs

Do you do children’s books?

Unfortunately no. We specialize in adult fiction and poetry.

What if I hate what you come up with?

We want to create a cover you’re proud of, so I don’t mind going back to the drawing board until we create something you love. At the start of the process, we’ll dive into ideas or inspiration, and we’ll usually come up with 3-4 different concepts to choose from.

What will I need to provide?

Your preferred book size, other book covers you like, potential cover ideas, About the Author blurb, and back cover description.

What if I don’t know how to upload to KDP?

I’d be happy to help with that for a nominal fee. If you need help formatting your manuscript, you can learn more about our KDP Formatting service here.

Is there a price difference between Gloss and Matte finishes?

No, that’s personal preference. (We prefer Matte.)

What percentage of royalties does Storyhound get from my book?

0%. My job is to get your book across the finish line. Once it’s published, you pay me and my job is done. (I’ll always be around for any questions!)

Do I pay upfront or at the end?

At the end. We want you to be really excited about your cover and happy with the job Storyhound did. We understand how big a moment this is for an author, so we don’t mind being paid at the end of a job well done.

Will there be a Storyhound Publishing logo on my book?

That’s totally up to you. We won’t force it on you. Obviously, it benefits us because it provides more exposure, but we also believe it provides a more professional look that will help you in promoting the book. However, including the logo is optional.

What versions will you be providing (hardcover, paperback, ebook)?

We recommend paperback over hardcover because of the printing costs, and it’s what we have the most experience with, but we can do hardcover, too. We can also do an ebook.

How long is the process?

Probably 1 week between you reaching out and us meeting to walk over things. Then, 1-2 weeks to create some front cover concepts for review. Once one is approved, 1 week to produce the back cover and spine.

Do I need an ISBN?

No. Amazon provides a free ISBN during the publishing process. You retain copyright and publishing rights, not Amazon. There are a few benefits to buying your own ISBN, but we’d recommend using the free one.

What if I need to make changes after my book has been published?

That’s common and one of the major benefits of publishing on KDP. We’d be happy to make any minor revisions at no additional cost, although more substantive changes would likely require a scope of work.

I’m in the Chicago area. Are you willing to meet in person to walk through major milestones?

Absolutely. I understand not everybody is super tech-savvy, so I’m more than happy to meet and walk through major steps in the process in person.

I’m not in the Chicago area. How would we meet?

Unless you’re up for paying for my travel and lodging, we’d either do it through a video conference of your choice (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) or even through an old-school phone call.