terms and conditions

This is a brief example of what working with Tall Story might be like...

Once you've checked out my work and have decide my vibe is for you, you can contact me via email at ben@pilcrow.design, on Facebook Messenger at www.m.me/pilcrowdesignstudio, or via the contact form HERE. It's a good idea to have a think about what date you'd like to begin your project, and also if you have a publication date I should be aware of.

I will get back to you when I receive your expression of interest, with any answers to your questions and advise of calendar availability. My availability can vary greatly. Sometimes, I am available immediately and sometimes I'm booked out for a few months. If your project is urgent, please ask if I have availability or a fit-in booking, I provide these where humanly possible. This may incur an extra fee as I may work late into the night/morning to get your project done.

What I will then ask of you is a detailed description of your project. For example, if you require a book cover, I would ask for any plot lines that are of import, what genre your novel (mostly) fits in, character physical descriptions, story locations, etc. Some clients like to do a mood board on apps like Pinterest. Pinning things like colours, places, people, and symbols as a source of inspiration for the creation of the cover. Others like to send just a few pictures along with the book information via email. I will also need to know what things to avoid. For example, if you HATE green, I would avoid using that colour. Whatever process works for you is fine by me, we all work in different ways and I really appreciate that. Some people are very visual, so pin boards work well and others are more information inspired, so email is more their thing.

Some clients also like to select the image for their cover from their own stock image subscription service, or work closely with a photographer on their available images, or even a custom photo shoot. Others are happy for me to be inspired by their descriptions and find the images myself. Again, I am very happy either way. ☺

Please note that I don't need your final blurb for the project. This will only be required to complete your paperback file, at a later date.

Once I have all the information I need, we have agreed on a project start date, and we know where we are headed in regard to cover image/s. Then creativity takes over! I'm like a man possessed!

As soon as I have a first draft ready for you, I'll email (usually, unless you message the Pilcrow Facebook Messenger account or friend my personal Facebook account) the draft off to you.

Please be aware that this is just that, a first draft. This is in no way a final design. It is more a jumping off point. It may be quite a way from what your vision was, and instead is my best interpretation of your requirements. Together, and with further edits, we would refine draft after draft until we get to something that both you and I love! I generally don't charge for revisions, but if we get to a point that I believe I need to begin charging a $20 per revision fee, I will let you know.

Once the final design is agreed upon, I take time to create your final digital files. Promotional images and social media images, as well as your final eCopy files for Amazon (Kindle/KDP), Smashwords, Google Play, Rakuten Kobo, Draft2Digital, iBooks, and Barnes and Noble Nook (.jpg file format). For logo/branding design this includes final transparent logo files in .png and colour codes.

Upon completion of your digital files, I will invoice you. If you purchase the eCopy and Paperback package, your invoice will state that your paperback file is to follow, pending the preparation of your interior file. Once you've made payment, I supply you a link to a Google Drive folder where your files can be downloaded. Your files will sit on my Drive for one month only so please download your files well before this time. If you get past the month and realise you didn't download you files, it's no trouble for me to add them to the drive again for you and supply you a new link for download.

If you purchase the eCopy and Paperback package, it will then be up to you to supply me with a final formatted interior page count, a final size requirement (e.g. 5x8), and what paper you like to print your books on (cream or white). Please be aware that the package price is for ONE paperback supplier only. I can create files for further suppliers at a cost of $50 per file.

Once your full wrap file has been supplied, this will be the end of the project. I of course would hope that you enjoyed your experience with Pilcrow and that we have the opportunity to work together again! ❤

If you have any questions about working with Pilcrow, or my creative process, get in touch!

Ben

Payment

Payment is to be received immediately upon agreement of final look and once your invoice has been received. Please see pricing HERE, and please have your payment ready to go for your booking. Late payment may result in a termination of service and/or refusal of future projects.

All prices charged are in Australian dollar value (AUD). If you would like to be invoiced in an alternative currency, please let me know when you book. Final figure will depend on the dollar conversion at the time of processing. All invoicing is via PayPal, but direct banking can be arranged upon request. Please contact me for additional information.

Files

Logo designs will be supplied in transparent png. Source files can be provided at an additional fee for rights ownership.

Full book cover wrap will be supplied in print-ready pdf and a promotional jpg if required but you will already have this as a final draft version.

Please see the list items HERE for description of files provided upon completion of various jobs.

Source files (Adobe psd and ai) will be kept for 5 years prior to deletion.

Your use of the work (Licence)

Fees paid for Pilcrow's services are for license only, with lifetime rights to use my work. As with all graphic designers, at no stage do you own the images or full rights to the design/s. Please contact ben@pilcrow.design regarding an extended licensing fee if you would like to own the full rights in perpetuity.

From time to time, traditional publishers may wish to use the book design (or part of, elements) in their own publications, this is possible but they will need to contact me directly at ben@pilcrow.design as a fee is involved. Negotiations will not be made through the author.

You can use the artwork supplied to you for promotion in print, web, and merchandise, but you cannot sell the artwork or promote it as your own.

Pilcrow can use the artwork  for promotion in web or print, but cannot resell the design or close derivatives. I will do my absolute best to be aware of any reveal of your designs and will not post to social media or my website until you have made your announcement. @pilcrowdesignstudio should be tagged in your cover reveal posts to Facebook and Instagram (business name 'Pilcrow') and credited with creation.

In the event of termination of this agreement or lack of payment, I own the design and reserve the right to complete, exhibit, and/or resell the design if I choose. I own all design concepts, elements, and final images created during the project. You are not authorised to alter the artwork in any way. If you would like alterations, please consult me as I would like the option to make alterations to my own work where possible. It may require additional payment to make these changes once final files have been supplied. All artwork created is owned by Pilcrow (Ben Ellis) and is protected by copyright law which is bound by worldwide laws in force. No title to or intellectual property rights to the artwork is transferred to you. Pilcrow (Ben Ellis) retains all rights not expressly granted by this license agreement. This agreement does not grant you any intellectual property rights. Unpublished rights are reserved.

All efforts will be made to remove any copyrighted material from stock images (e.g. brand names). The only item to be aware of is tattooed models. In reality, tattoo artists hold copyright on the tattoos they create and by featuring them on book covers we are creating derivative works featuring the design (tattoo/s).  This is a highly contentious subject in legal terms and there is certainly no firm legal stance. The risk of litigation is considered incredibly low (if not zero) but it's worth being aware of the risk involved. Discussing this issue with your photographer may be appropriate, as they may be able to shoot around some tattoos, or use lighting effects to disguise body art.

For paperback cover designs, your preferred printer (e.g. Amazon KDP, Ingram Spark, Kaligraphic Print), final blurb, trim size (e.g. 5" x 8"), page count, and paper colour must be provided before final paperback wrap can be sent (.pdf). Paperback cover licencing is for a single retailer only. $50 per retailer above this.

Booking a minimum 8 weeks is recommended for book covers. ©Pilcrow must be printed in your book's bibliographic information,  in reference to the book cover design. For example-

Book cover design ©Pilcrow

Notes

Draft images are supplied for client eyes only and are not to be shared with others without Pilcrow's explicit permission. Please ask before sharing with friends, family, peers, other designers (yes, it happens! 😲), anyone.

All stock images used are not owned by either Pilcrow, nor the client. They are licenced for use on your project, but never owned. They are not exclusive and can be used by others to create their own works. Exclusive images must be purchased by the client, under an agreement with the photographer/graphic artist/illustrator. It is assumed when you supply an image that it is done so with rights cleared permission. Pilcrow may or may not ask to see official permissions. No fault is accepted by Pilcrow for inaccurate or misleading information. Please make sure your photographer is aware of your intention to have Pilcrow alter their work. Pilcrow will do our best to remove any trademark/licenced logos and branding from a photograph when we find them. This can include things like tattoos of brand names and visible brand names on clothing and accessories. Please point these out prior to your project start date, in case we don't spot them. It's often harder to remove these things when images have been altered and your project is nearing completion.

If your project goes over more than three revisions. I may begin to charge $40 per revision. This will be at my own discretion and may not be discussed with you, but appear as a line item on your invoice.

By engaging my services you agree to the above terms and conditions.

Pilcrow is an AI-free zone.
We rely on sheer artistic talent and the Adobe suite of applications.
We will always do our best to avoid using AI generated images in your designs. Sometimes AI generated images are difficult to identify, and aren't flagged correctly on stock image websites.