Estimating for Book Design & Layout

[Lisa Fish]

Have any of you worked for a publisher on a book design - cover &
inside pages, or know of someone I can talk to about pricing this out
that has experience doing this type of a thing? I am trying to figure
out the most fair way for both parties, considering this can be a
complex job since there can be different tiers -simple to more complex.

I'm working on pricing estimates for a publisher that publishes
motivational, inspirational & books - basically I need to give him
prices so he can set up pricing to propose to his client, which he'll
tie into his fee depending upon what the client wants, simple to
complex. Whatever I propose, he's willing to work w/me to let me know
if it's too high or low, etc. We discussed pricing it in 3 tiers,
simple to more complex/custom. I'd prefer to price slightly higher so
he can bring it down if it's too much.

Any input is greatly appreciated. This is what I've come up w/so far
- and it will be based upon an hourly fee.

INSIDE PAGES
This is based upon 1st round of design & setup. I can also do
something like for every 50 or 100 pages it will cost X amount, based
upon how entailed the book is. Here's what I've come up w/so far:

Text only pages - 1.5 hrs/page
Text pages w/tips and icons - 2.5 hrs/page plus fee for icons (see
below)
Text pages w/tips and/or photos/more complex - 3 hrs/page

Page icons - Set of 5 icons = 15 hrs

COVER:
Simple text treatment w/simple background (Includes 2 rounds
revisions)- 10 hrs
Text treatment w/more elaborate background (Includes 2 rounds
revisions) - 16-20 hrs
Text treatment w/more complex ideation & design, images & effects,
illustration (Includes 2 rounds revisions) - 24-26 hrs

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU -Lisa

[Raymond Powell]

Hi Lisa,

To provide an estimate on something as complex and variable as one
unseen and unknown book, much less several, is something I would not
want to do. I'd have the client provide a couple of sample books for
reference giving you some idea what he has envisioned so that you can
base your numbers on something tangible. Then I would agree to do the
first project only within a certain cost range -- or within a certain
maximum -- provided the project did not vary substantially from the
reference.

In addition to doing the work as you've very ably outlined below,
there's the issue of dealing with the other people involved; how
cooperative they are in getting information to you, how well they
understand the urgency of providing you with ALL you need to know to
do your best work, whether they drag out the project and leave you
stranded for days wondering when you'll hear from them again and then
have them pop up at the last minute and demand some outrageously quick
completion! These are problems that are totally separate from your
actual hands-on work, but that can make the project take far more time
than anticipated, and cause you much stress, anxiety, and financial
loss. And these factors are probably different in every business
relationship and work environment.

Dependent upon how well the first one goes you can decide whether to
do others -- and at what cost.

I doubt that I've told you anything you don't know already, but hope
I've helped somehow. I'd look online for publishers in Atlanta and
talk with one of them.

Best of luck, Raymond Powell (advertising Art Director working on
learning web stuff)

[Lisa Fish]

Ahaaa!

Thanks, Raymond. I appreciate your words of wisdom.

And absolutely. I do know exactly what you're talking about. This
publisher publishes motivational, inspirational & educational books,
as well as some novels - basically books that tell the individual's
story. It's mostly amateurs that have a story to tell and and this
husband and wife team (really cool peeps) help these people to write
and tell their story w/the tools whether it be online classes,
workshops, seminars, etc. as part of their service package. It just
so happens that it's usually people that are fairly wealthy and have
a story to tell, but they just don't know how to do it, so they help
them to and edit, etc. SO, I think they're good business people and
I'm about to find out if he accepts what I'm proposing. They seem to
be onto something great and very well organized, with the right
people in place. They're building their freelance team at the moment,
getting ready to do a 300 person seminar that will probably peak 50
people's interest in telling their stories. A friend/client
recommended we talk, so we shall see. And you're right, it could be
something I don't want to touch. It could also be very lucrative. No
idea yet. I will let you know how it turns out down the road, or keep
you posted - that is, if you're interested.

Did someone help you out w/your web questions the other day? I sure
hope so. Unfortunately I don't know much about web stuff like you're
learning. Perhaps in the future, but I prefer to remain doing what I
know well now, until the opportunity arises or until I feel I MUST
delve into the web side of things! How is it going so far? And where
did you begin? Any suggestions - I'm always inquiring but haven't
pulled the trigger. Kudos to you. I'm sure you'll do amazingly well
once you get the hang of it.

Thank you for your insight and for taking the time to care. I truly
appreciate it. Keep me posted on your end and I'd love to know how
things pan out!

Lisa Fish

[Lisa Fish]

Sorry everyone - I didn't mean to send that to ALL! I forget that it
automatically sends to everyone on the list automatically, even in
response.

[Kiki]

Hey y'all my MacBook power cable just burned!! On deadline of
course... Anyone got one I can borrow for today?

-Kiki
Sent from my iPhone

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recommendations, referrals, opportunities, and more.