ROBUST discussion

Having spent so long on the cover for Treespeaker and then earning some money designing another for a Sydney children's writer, I thought I'd add a page to my website. Most people baulk at the price, which is way under the ASA recommended rate, but if I can pick up a little extra from doing covers, why not?

http://www.katiewstewart.com/book-cov...

It's okay...I'm still writing!

It's only fair that designers and illustrators should be paid more than writers. After all, it is much more skilled work.

I'm not sure I agree with that, Andre. I think a well-written book requires every bit as much skill as designing or illustrating. It's just doing it with words instead of with shape, line and colour.

All right, but design and illustration is a rarer skill. As a matter of economics, supply and demand, it should be more highly rewarded. And is. If you had jacket design work for all the time you spent on writing a book, it would add up to several multiples of the income from even a bestseller.

Cool, Katie. Good luck!

Thanks, Sharon.

Andre, that's a good point. Maybe I wouldn't be rich at the rates I charge, but at ASA cover design rates for the hours I put into writing, I'd be living the high life!

They are all lovely!

You have a great style.

Thanks, Kat. Even better, I REALLY enjoy doing them!

I just gotta say, I love your new website. I hadn't gotten around to checking it out until just now, but very accessible and I love the new covers you're doing.