How can I contact you?
You can email me directly at sarahwaitestx @ gmail . com. If you want to follow me on social, I have a Facebook group, a Bluesky account, and a sporadically updated Instagram.
Maps
How soon are you available?
Please email me. I typically have at least one slot open within the next month.
How much does it cost to commission you for a map?
You can find my current pricing on my “Custom Maps” page. Prices as listed are all for black-and-white maps in the size of 6 by 9 inch (15.24 by 22.86 cm). For that size, color is an additional $150. For double-page spreads and poster sizes, please contact me directly with a description of the project and the size you have in mind for a quote.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. As of September 2023, my standard deposit is $50, to be paid at the time of booking. That amount is deducted from the overall price of the map. It is non-refundable if you cancel on me, but if for any reason I need to cancel a project, I will issue a refund on the deposit.
What is your average turn around time?
Turn around time depends on the complexity of the project, speed of communication, and the amount of revisions. My 6 by 9 inch page black-and-white maps typically take one to two weeks. If you’re doing a color map, then turnaround will be closer to two weeks.
I’m based in the US and am on variously CST or EST time. My office hours are roughly 9 AM to 5 PM. If you’re an author in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or anywhere else with a large time difference, you can expect the turn around time to be closer to two weeks, as I need to hear back from you about layout approvals and any questions I have about your locations.
Can you take my rough sketch on a napkin and turn into something that looks good?
Of course! That’s what my job is. When you hire me to make a map, I’ll ask you for a sketch (the exception here is floorplans — more on that later). The purpose of the sketch is just to show where things are located in relation to each other. I’ve gotten all sorts of sketches, made with everything from MS Paint to notebook paper.
For floorplans, I don’t ask for a sketch but instead a list of rooms on each floor. I’ll also ask you questions about things like staircases, chimneys, closets, special features, etc. A large part of the job with floorplan maps is laying out the building in a way that makes sense and ensuring that rooms have windows, the different floors line up, and that there’s enough room for things like bathrooms and staircases. So no need to send me a sketch!
If you have other reference material, such as Pinterest boards, mood boards, specific buildings that inspired you, Zillow listings, etc, then you’re welcome to send that along as well. None of that is required, but if it’s something you have, I’d love to see it!
How do you make your maps?
My maps are all hand drawn in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet. I don’t use pre-fabbed cartography brushes or cartography programs.
For maps involving floorplans with exterior views of buildings, I’ll use 3D software to create a reference image I can use for the sketch. I’ll build a rough base of the building in a program called MagicaVoxel, where my priority is making sure the dimensions of the model match the dimensions of the floorplan. I’ll then export that model to a second program, DAZ 3D studios for rendering.
What resources do you use in making your maps?
I use paid fonts for which I’ve purchased a commercial use license. If you want something specific for the font (either a font that’s legally available for free or a font that matches your book cover), please talk to me and I can make that happen! I’m also happy to provide links to purchase pages for fonts I use.
For frame decorations, I will use reference materials for objects, animals, etc. Those references are all legally sourced stock material which allows full commercial use. My references either come from Creative Fabrica, Turbo Squid’s 3D model collection, or 3D models I render myself in DAZ studios. For example, I’ve created a map that had a winged bicycle in the frame decoration. I made a reference for it by adding some angel wings to a 3D model of a bicycle inside DAZ studios!
Celtic knotwork in my maps is all made with the wonderful Celtic Knot Font from ClanBadge.
Do you use AI? Do you care if I use AI elsewhere in the book?
I do not use AI in my maps or book covers. I do not care if you are using AI elsewhere in the book or it’s promotion — it’s your book and your decision, hence none of my business.
What genres do you work with?
I make maps for all genres of stories. I’ve created maps for romance, sci-fi, mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. If you have an idea for a project that isn’t like something I’ve done before, I’m always happy to explore new genres!
Can I purchase the copyright to the map?
Ordinarily, I keep the copyright to map, as is the norm for illustration projects. I am open to selling copyright, but it would be at a much higher price than what is listed on my website — picture a number roughly double my base prices.
I’m an author. What can I use the map for?
You can use the map as a print insert for your entire series. You can also use it in commercial merchandise associated with the book series (swag in your author shop, part of a book box, Kickstarter rewards, etc). You can have the map as exclusive content for your author Patreon. You can have it on your website and social media. Basically, full commercial rights as long as it’s associated with the book.
The only thing I don’t want is for the map to be used for a different product entirely, such as stand-alone digital download aimed at the gaming market (so for sale on sites like Roll20, CartographyAssets, or DriveThruRPG). However, you’re welcome to send digital copies to newsletter subscribers, Patreon supporters, or Kickstarter backers.
What if I’m wanting a map for a tabletop role playing game?
Please contact me to talk about your requirements and how you plan to use the map (private use only, commercially, stand-alone digital download sales, etc), and I can give you a quote.
Custom Book Covers
How much does it cost to expand an ebook cover into a full paperback wrap (spine, back cover, formatting for print)?
My 2023 price for a paperback expansion is $50.
What are your custom cover packages?
Please see my page on custom covers.
What about sequels where I want the image to stay the same but want the type and color to change?
First, please discuss with me. Some of the boutique stock image licenses only allow for use on a single book cover.
If everything checks out with the licenses, then I charge $40 for the color change and new typography.
What’s the process for a fully custom cover package?
First, we will discuss what you are looking for and I will send you a questionnaire on your cover as well as a basic contract. Once that is clear, I will begin looking for stock images based on your description and send you an invoice for a down payment / booking fee of $50.
I will then contact you with an email of various stock image options and my notes on them. If you don’t like any of the stock images I find, I will go back and do a second round of stock hunting and send you a new selection. Stock images all come from Deposit Photos and their price is included in the package cost.
Once you’ve settled on stock images you like, I will create an initial mock-up of the cover’s layout. This stage involves laying the various elements in place and performing any necessary color changes. I’ll send you the layout and you can give your input on the direction the artwork is taking. I’ll take your feedback into account and continue working on the cover, sending you a new image. The first three rounds of revisions are included with the initial price. During this stage, each image will contain a watermark which I will remove when sending you the final cover.
Once you’re happy with the cover, I will send you an invoice. When I’ve received payment, I will send you a .jpg of the cover as well as other file types (.png, PDF) by requests (note, clients may not have the raw PSD file).
Can I have the PSD file?
Due to licensing constraints, I can’t share the PSD files with you.
When you say you work with LGBTQ+ covers, does that include…?
Yes! I am happy to work with stories and authors from any identity within the LGBTQIAP+ community (and my work isn’t limited to LGBTQ+ specific covers either). Most of my LGBTQ+ premade covers are f/f, but I have a few premades with solo shots of trans models and some with m/m couples. I’ve also done covers with ménage/polyamorous relationships with characters of a variety of genders, and I’ve had custom work where I was using color schemes drawn from pride flags.
What genres do you work with?
I work primarily in various fantasy subgenres including fantasy romance, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and more. I also work with historical romance and fantasy romance!
Can your covers be used for erotic literature and high heat romance?
I’ve worked with erotica before as custom cover projects where it crosses over with my regular genres (AKA fantasy, paranormal, historical). For my premades, it depends on the terms of the stock image sites. You can either ask me about a particular cover or check the product description, where I link to the stock image license terms! Anything using DepositPhotos, Evanto Elements, and/or Period Images should be fine.
Premade Book Covers
Prior to September 1st, 2023, I sold premade book covers. While I no longer sell premade covers, I am keeping this information on the site for authors who own premades by me.
How much does it cost to expand a pre-made cover into a series?
It varies depending on the pre-made. In general, each sequel will be more expensive than the pre-made itself, since I am making the covers especially for you and doing revisions and your request. In effect, sequels are closer to a custom cover than a pre-made.
What text changes do your pre-made covers come with?
All pre-mades come with one free change of the title. If you later change your mind about the title and want it changed for a second time, I will charge a $20 fee for the new typography work. Changes to the author name are free. Also free is placing simple text like bestselling status or praise quotes.
Will you change the art on a premade?
No, premade covers are text changes only. All premade book cover art is final.
Do I have to have a title for a pre-made cover right away? Do I have to have written the story already?
Nope! You can see a cover that inspires a story and go ahead and purchase it, even if you don’t have it written or even have a title yet. I’ll go ahead and send you the .jpg and .png images of the cover with your name on them, and you can contact me again whenever you’ve got a title ready. You can take as long as you’d like.