We’re indie romance co-authors looking for a talented illustrator to help create character-driven artwork for special edition copies of our cowboy romance book series. As independent creatives ourselves, we love supporting talented artists in the publishing community and value true collaboration, originality, and great storytelling. We’re looking for a creative partner who’s excited to help bring these special editions to life.
There are two options for this role:
1. Character Illustration Only
(Create original character artwork for our cover design team)
2. Full Cover Design + Illustration
(Character art, typography, layout, and print-ready cover production)
Please specify which services you offer in your proposal. If you offer both please specific rates for each. The rate we have listed on the job post is a place holder.
About the Project
We are producing special editions for our 4-book cowboy romance series to use on our audiobook Kickstarter and we’re looking for an artist/designer we can build a long-term working relationship with over the next several months.
We’ll begin with Book 1 immediately, then continue through the remaining covers.
Our goal is emotionally compelling, character-focused artwork with a premium collector’s-edition feel.
Visual reference / desired vibe:
Here is a series we love the vibe of and how the covers flow together really well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NR29PV5?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1777670282&sr=8-1
Important — Original Human-Created Artwork Only (No AI)
We are not accepting AI-generated artwork or AI-assisted artwork of any kind.
To be considered, you must:
- Be the artist personally creating the work
- Create all artwork by hand (digital or traditional-to-digital is fine)
- Be willing to share work-in-progress updates throughout the project
- Be willing to provide proof of process if requested (such as sketches, linework, layers, timelapse, screen captures, or progress files)
Any use of AI-generated imagery, AI paintovers, AI composites, or outsourced artwork will result in immediate termination of the contract.
What We Need
Option A — Character Illustrator
- Original character illustration of the couple for cover use
- Strong anatomy, emotion, facial expression, and storytelling
- Ability to create romantic tension, chemistry, and cinematic compositions
- Experience with romance character art and collector-edition publishing preferred
- Deliver layered, high-resolution files suitable for print production
Option B — Full Cover Designer + Illustrator
Everything above, plus:
- Complete front / spine / back cover design
- Typography and layout
- Print-ready production files
- Experience designing special editions, including:
Foil stamping
Sprayed edges
Decorative endpapers
Premium print finishes
Series Planning & Creative Direction (4-Book Collection)
This is not a one-off cover project—we are building a 4-book special edition series that needs to feel cohesive, intentional, and collectible as a complete set.
Before beginning the final artwork for Book 1, we need the full series creative direction mapped out so all four covers feel connected and visually flow together.
This planning phase should include:
- Overall series concept and visual direction
- Character placement and composition concepts across all 4 covers
- Planned color palette progression for each book
- Typography and design consistency (if providing full cover design)
- Spine/back continuity and collector-shelf presentation (if designing full covers)
We do not need all four covers fully illustrated upfront, but we do need a clear creative roadmap for the entire series before final production begins on Book 1.
Please share examples of any previous series branding, multi-book cover design, or cohesive collection work in your portfolio if available.
Desired Illustration Style
We are looking for original, human-created character artwork in the following style:
- First preference: Painterly semi-realistic digital illustration with cinematic lighting and emotionally expressive characters, similar to premium collector-edition romance covers. Similar to the example shared above.
- Second preference: Hyper-Realistic Digital Painting. More detailed, almost film-poster quality.
We are NOT looking for:
- AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork
- Anime / manga style
- Comic book / graphic novel style
- Cartoon or overly stylized illustration
- Vector artwork
- Photo manipulation / photo-bashing
- Stock-image composites
Timeline
- Book 1 and series concept must be completed by July 1
- Remaining covers will follow over the next several months
To Apply
Please include:
- Your portfolio (book covers, romance character art, collector editions preferred)
- Which role you’re applying for:
Character Illustration Only
Full Cover Design + Illustration
- Your pricing for:
Character Illustration Only
One Full Cover Design + Illustration
Full 4-cover series
- Your estimated turnaround for Book 1
- Your experience with specialty print production (foils, sprayed edges, embossing, etc. if applying for full cover)
- Examples of your process work (sketches, WIPs, layered files, timelapses, etc.)
Thank you!
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