You've spent months (or years) writing your story
And revising it countless times, working tirelessly to perfect the final product.
Finally, you're publishing that book. Your story is no longer just yours. It belongs to your readers.
And after months or years of dedication, you spend one afternoon creating a cover using Canva, choosing a photo you liked from the internet, and adding a title.
In fact, since you want it illustrated—because everything seems to have an illustration these days—you decide to use generative AI.
That's the gateway to your whole world.
What could go wrong?
✘ That the image you used isn't royalty-free.
✘ That your book gets punished for using AI.
✘ That the cover is too generic.
✘ That the title is difficult to read.
✘ Worst of all, may the cover doesn't resonate with your reader or fit the genre you write in.
A cover isn't just an image with your story's title
It has to identify the genre of the story and capture the reader's attention.
And that's much more than choosing a pretty picture and adding some text.
The process of creating a book cover involves as many phases as any design project:
〇 Analysis of the story's information and reading.
〇 Preliminary research into the genre, concepts, and formal aspects.
〇 Art direction and briefing.
〇 Ideation based on the conclusions.
〇 Sketching and development of concepts.
〇 Illustration process.
〇 Selection of typographies and layout.
〇 Preparation of the final files for printing.
Throughout this process, the author and designer must work closely together and listen to each other to ensure the final result is the most suitable for the story and the reader.
And what will the process be like?
It all starts with a message. You can send it directly to info@kalisdice.com or through the form below (I recommend the second option since there are guiding questions that will make the process easier).
You can tell me about yourself and what this novel means to you.
I will also need:
〇 The first chapters of your manuscript (as the best way to understand your story is to immerse myself in your universe)
〇 The complete synopsis of the story.
〇 The main topics.
〇 The target audience (age is enough!)
〇 The genre.
〇 The format in which you want to publish (paperback, ebook...)
〇 Your ideas and references (if you have any).
If you know them, also the publication date and approximate dimensions.
You might have no idea when to publish or what steps to take. Don't worry, most of the authors who contacted me don't know either.
After self-publishing my own book and publishing two others with publishers, I can help you make those decisions and guide you.
Throughout the process, you can ask any questions you have about self-publishing or traditional publishing
I'll help you as much as I can, sharing everything that worked for me
Your idea matters more than you believe
Maybe you have a clear idea in your head that you want to bring to life. Or on the contrary, you have no idea what would work for your book.
Whether you have a thousand ideas or none at all, I'll be there to guide you through the process and treat your story with the same care you've given it.
I've had the opportunity to work with more than 100 authors who came with brilliant ideas that worked very well from start to finish! On other occasions, they had a clear idea, but after seeing the different sketches, they preferred to pursue another compositon line.
In all cases, you will be the one making the decisions; I'll only act as a guide with a paintbrush.
➜ You'll receive initial sketches, along with my conclusions and explanations of my decisions. This will be the starting point for our work.
➜ During the rest of the process, you can suggest up to three changes per phase (lineart, color, rendering, etc.) and evaluate different typographic styles.
%20(6).png)
%20(8).png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
This is all you'll get:
〇 Final illustration (without the text)
〇 Cover in different formats
〇 PNG of the title only (useful for the inner layout)
〇 Video of the process
〇 Some mockups of the cover
〇 Non-exclusive commercial license (you can use the illustration for prints, both as gifts and for sale)
〇 10% discount on future orders
〇 Follow-up and updates if you need them!
This will be our process!
Start
⇣
Quote and information
⇣
Reading the first chapters
Book market and genre research
Particular Questions
⇣
Design Brief with conclusions
3-5 colored sketches with explanations
⇣
Detailed sketch after feedback
2-3 color variations
⇣
Lineart and base colors
⇣
Final illustration
3-5 typography options
⇣
Final layout
⇣
Delivery ready to print and extras
⇣
⇣
Spine width update
And also...
I’ll answer all your questions about the publishing process
Is this your first time self-publishing and you’re not familiar with the process?
Not sure which printer to use?
Don’t understand what you need to put on Amazon? What are ISBNs and legal deposit?
I’ve published twice with major publishers and self-published a third time, as well as having worked with dozens of authors with whom I’ve shared experiences.
So, you can ask me any questions you have about the publishing process or suppliers while we work together, to help make the whole process feel less overwhelming.
The most frequent questions:
➜ What if I don’t have a clear idea of what I want?
That’s what I’m here for! The cover design process includes art direction, which begins with me asking you a series of questions, reading the first few chapters of your manuscript, and researching bookshops and online catalogues to understand the genre and target audience of your story. Once this process is complete, I’ll present you with a series of sketches that suit your story and are in line with the publishing market. The cover strikes a balance between marketing and art.
➜ Can I commission the simplified cover design service even if I don’t have a clear idea of what I want?
In order to find the best option for your novel, I need to carry out an analysis and learn more about the story, reading it. That’s the kind of artistic direction I provide in the full process service. The simplified service is designed for authors or publishers who have a clear idea they want to bring to life and a defined brief. If you need help finding the best cover for your story, I recommend the full design service.
➜ How long does it take you to finish the cover?
I always work with illustration and adapt the style and type of cover to each story. I develop the initial sketches following an analysis of the publishing market to ensure they fit the genre.
➜ How far in advance do I need to place my order?
It really depends on the time of year and my workload! Generally, my waiting list is two or three months long, so if you get in touch, please bear in mind that it will take me this long to get started on your project.
➜ What if I’m not happy with the options in your sketches?
No problem! With the full cover service, we can produce more sketches and combine them with the existing ones. It’s important that you like the initial sketch because it’s harder to make changes in the later stages. Bear in mind, though, that additional rounds will affect the final delivery date. With the simplified process, extra rounds will be charged separately.
➜ How and when is payment made? Do I need to pay a deposit to secure the slot?
The first instalment is payable after you’ve seen the sketches! I like my artists to see their sketches before making payment, so they can see that work has begun. The same applies to the final payment: you’ll receive a screenshot of the result before making the second payment. The final files will be delivered after this.
Payment can be made by bank transfer or PayPal, always in euros (€).
And no! You won’t need to pay a deposit to secure your place – don’t worry!
➜ I don’t know what format the book will be in or the spine width. Is that a problem?
Not at all! When you don’t know what format the book will be in, I’ll suggest a standard one. We can adjust it later if you decide to change the dimensions.
The spine width is unknown if the book hasn’t been laid out yet, so we’ll adjust it once it has been laid out. There’s no rush!
Not sure yet?
Let me show you what it’s been like working with other authors before you, and the results we’ve achieved!
Simplified cover process
For those independent authors or indie publishers whose print runs are smaller and that they have a clear and very defined idea of what they want or the cover service is out of their budget.
The steps and options are reduced and more directed:
→ The author or publisher provides the brief and does the art direction
→ Two initial sketches to choose from with a typography suggestion
→ Final illustration after feedback (sketch to finish process)
Here are the differences!
Full process
Process:
✓ Q&A and advice on the editorial process, tools, suppliers, marketing...
✓ Art direction
✓ Genre and market analysis
✓ Partial reading of the manuscript
✓ Presentation of 3–5 concepts with explanations
✓ Various color and typography options
✓ Step-by-step process with continuous feedback
✓ Revisions and changes
✓ Full layout of text and elements
✓ Print-ready adaptations (including spine adjustment post-typesetting)
Deliverables:
✓ Print-ready PDF (to print specifications)
✓ Ebook cover
✓ PNG of the full design for social media
✓ JPEG adapted version for print or bookmark
✓ Process timelapse
✓ Mockup
✓ PNG of the title in black for interior layout
✓ Discount on additional book illustrations
Simplified process
Process:
✗ Q&A and advice on the editorial process, tools, suppliers, marketing...
✗ Art direction
✗ Genre and market analysis
✗ Partial reading of the manuscript
✓ Presentation of two concepts with explanations
✗ Various color and typography options
✓ Final piece after feedback and greenlight
✓ Up to two revisions and changes (more are charged)
✓ Full layout of text and elements
✓ Print-ready adaptations (including spine adjustment post-typesetting)
Deliverables:
✓ Print-ready PDF (to print specifications)
✓ Ebook cover
✓ PNG of the full design for social media
✗ JPEG adapted version for print or bookmark
✓ Process timelapse
✗ Mockup
✗ PNG of the title in black for interior layout
✓ Discount on additional book illustrations
Make your book even more special
Add extras to your book for a lower price than if you ordered them separately.
Promotional content on my social media
Need a little boost for your story? My social media accounts focus on books and art.
If you send me a physical copy of your book once the order is complete,
I will dedicate two posts to talking about it.
Only available for books written in Spanish
All in one project
Looking for different professionals for each part of the project can complicate the process, which is why I offer packages to bring the style together and get the most out of your novel.
If you are going to self-publish your story,
turn it into a work of art inside and out!
.png)
Take a look at these covers!
If there is one thing these authors have in common, it is that they all appreciated the art of their novels. You can add magic to your story too!
Reserve your spot for the next quarter of the year.
I don't work on more than three covers at the same time, to ensure that I dedicate the time they deserve to them, enjoying the story and being available to answer any questions.
To sum up...
This is what it would be like to work with me
if you allow me into your story:
〇 The whole art direction of the cover.
〇 Reading of the first chapters of the manuscript and research.
〇 Different sketches to choose from, with justifications for the conclusions drawn from the analysis and research.
〇 Step-by-step guidance and continuous feedback.
〇 Choice of different typographic options.
〇 Delivery of final files, including the illustration separately, the title in PNG format, and a video of the entire process.
〇 Spine adjustments after delivery (they always need to be made!).
〇 Process monitoring. You can ask any questions after delivery. I will be available to address any issues that may arise.
If you still have doubts, remember that my first message will only be to give you a quote tailored to your needs.
If you're not happy with it, you don't even have to reply!
I know how stressful it can be when a quote doesn't fit and you have to apologize and reject it, so if I don't hear from you after ten days, I'll consider it a no! So, take that pressure off yourself!
