Author's Tool Kit
AKW Books does not recommend anything on this page. The information is presented as a service to authors and writers in general. All contracts are strictly between you and the individuals or businesses mentioned here. AKW Books in no way benefits from any business you may do with any of these individuals or businesses. If you find that anyone here is misrepresented, please let us know.
Artwork
|
Hays Design. We're fairly inexpensive. A cover design can range from $200-$500, depending upon detail and work we need to perform. |
|
Duncan Long creates digital cover illustrations for HarperCollins, PS Publishing, Simon & Schuster, iBooks, Pocket Books, Delirium Books, Ballistic Media, and many small presses. Long generally creates covers for science fiction, fantasy, horror, and historic novels, but can handle a variety of other genres as well.
|
|
Henning Ludvigsen creates original artwork in digital format. He seems to specialize on fantasy work, but you may be able to talk him into working on your non-fantasy project. |
 |
Junior's Digital Designs. Focus is on digital cover art and design, mostly fantasy, sci-fi, and nature. Creates original art or works with existing elements. Reasonable rates. |
|
Kira Echo creates original artwork as well as working with a camera to produce covers and illustrations. She has a rather large set of portfolios:
Home site Presentation Brochures and Logos Public Gallery |
|
Cathy Scott is a graphic designer who designs book covers from stock
photography or your photos and artwork. Each cover she creates is a unique
design that effectively conveys your message and style. She also designs and
manages web sites for authors. |
|
Sarah Steever grew up in the digital age, has been an artist since childhood and is comfortable with digital and traditional medium. She's an award-winning Photoshop expert, style ranges from simple icons to painting and photo realism. Subject matter is limited only by imagination. |
 |
Steve Swayne creates original sci-fi and fantasy illustrations in a wide variety of genres. Imagery can include photographic elements supplied by the client. |
 |
Zane of Art Concepts is an old school artist. Doesn't work in digital format. However, she has associates who will convert her work to digital format. She also illustrates books. |
Help with the craft of writing
Our tips page
How to Get Published. Our blog for new and experienced writers. Tips on all phases of writing to sell.
 |
Barbara McNichol Editorial edits nonfiction manuscripts and marketing materials. In planning the editing phase of your book, you’ll find it helpful to complete “Getting to the Results You Want” a free questionnaire. Request it from Barbara McNichol with an email to: editor [at] barbaramcnichol.com or 887-696-4899 (toll free). To help perfect your writing, sign up for her Word Tripper of the Week. |
Diane O'Connel Literary Services. Diane's specialty is working with first-time authors. A former editor with Random House, Diane has worked in the NY Publishing business for over 25 years. She has helped numerous first-time authors achieve their dreams of publication, including Cody McFadyen, now an international bestselling author of three books.
She teaches a popular online class on Point of View. For more information, visit her website.
Hays Editorial Service: We provide a full array of editorial services. We've worked with
several publishers and ezine editors, building an impressive portfolio.
Our editors have more than 20 years of combined experience in
proofreading, content editing, technical writing, and book doctoring.
Victory Page for Fiction Writers from Victory Crayne has links to many resources for novel and memoir writers, including a descriptive list of resources for writing, publishers, agents, etc., and free articles on writing. Crayne is an editor and writing coach, and can help prepare your book for publication.
Writers Readers created by Jerry Simmons. Jerry retired from Time Warner Book Group in 2003 after a career in sales for two of the "big" houses (the other one was Random House). He now offers help for new authors. Much of the stuff on his site is free. Some costs. He'll also mentor for a fee.
Publications
Industry books by Jerry D. Simmons
Books of interest to Science Fiction writers
Workshops for writers and authors
Look for a workshop in your area. Libraries are a good place to ask since many workshops meet in libraries. Check the bulletin board.
Do a search engine lookup for writer workshop using Google or some other search engine. You should be able to find one that fits your needs. You'll get over 4 million "hits", but only a small number will be for peer writing clubs; most will be for classes in one format or another. Unless you want to plunk down a hunk of cash for what may or may not be a quick boost to your skills, stick with the peer groups. I'm not putting down the others. Some have excellent reputations (such as Clarion), but the peer groups are in it for the long haul.
Here's how most of the peer groups work:
- You may pay a small membership fee to help defray costs (such as the web site).
- You'll have to critique other people's submissions to earn "credits" that allow you to submit portions of your own work for critique by others.
- The quality of the "crits" will depend upon the experience and skill of the other members who chose to critique your work.
- You'll learn from those "crits" and you'll be surprised how much you learn by giving "crits".
A few examples of on-line groups:
|
