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Just in case you have questions about my qualifications.


Let's connect!

I design books for self-publishing authors and independent publishers.

My offer is clear and simple - a flat rate for the covers and promo materials, including a custom illustration, a photo shoot, or whatever is required.

I've designed more than a thousand titles, and I know how to create a cover that stands out. By the way, I've never missed a deadline. Well, one or two, but that's nothing to write home about :)

Recently my cover has been featured in the Jacket Museum — along with Chip Kidd, Isaac Tobin, Ben Wiseman and others. Oh, I'm flattered.

Promo package.
George Beck, "Trounce": cover, poster, sell-sheet, postcard, business card and bookmark.

The cost

Joel Friedlander has formulated it a lot better than I ever could:

«Competitive Self-Publishers make a big leap in this category. They realize that competing toe-to-toe with books from major publishers requires them to turn the design of their book over to professionals. Both the product — the book’s interior — and it’s packaging — the cover — will receive the attention they deserve to fulfill the Competitive Self-Publisher’s aspirations for their book. He will rely on these professionals to take care of the myriad tasks in book production such as dealing with printers and preparing files for reproduction.»

Read the rest of the article «What Does Self-Publishing Cost: Competitive Self-Publisher». Don't forget to compare the price range.

The process

To start working on your book cover I need the following information:

• Brief synopsis or a few key chapters of the book.
• Final title of the book and author's name.
• Any other text or logos that appear on the cover.
• Cover size and spine width.
• ISBN or barcode.
  
• Links to the book covers you like and, probably, don't like (check Amazon or Barnes & Noble ). Along with the links, an explanation of what you like or don't like can be very clarifying.
  
• Your suggestions or ideas. Please note, it's not always possible to implement your ideas literally but I'll do what's possible.
  
• Your photo and back cover copy. I'll retouch the photo if it's required (an example of retouching and color correction).
  
• Deadline.
  

Then I'll research how the competing books look like, find the right imagery and fonts, do some sketching and scribbling, photo manipulation, color correction and all that design stuff. Within a week I'll provide up to 3 front cover concepts . One of it is often accepted with some revisions, but you are welcome to ask for as many revisions as you like or even a totally new concept. Take a look.

Once your front cover is approved, the back cover and spine follow within a few days. With your approval of the back cover, we are ready to go to press.

The payment

I can be paid online directly to my Payoneer MasterCard. No heavy bank fees. No delays. No hassles. It's easy and secure.

Upfront payment for the project is 30%.
The rest is due upon your approval of the design.

After the payment I'll provide ready-to-print digital files to you or directly to your printer, according to the specifications.

My clients...

Éditions Kéruss (Canada), ARTE books (Korea), EKSMO (#1 publisher in Russia, one of the biggest in Europe), Atticus Publishing, Popular Literature, Facultet (Moscow State University Press).
Also I've been working for advertising agencies, such as DDB Russia Group, and Ogilvy & Mather.

...and what they say

The Russian cover for "The Dante Club" is absolutely one of my favorites from the more than 30 countries that published my novel. Creative, stylish and unique. I always show it at lectures as an example. Thank you!

Matthew Pearl, author of the novel
"The Dante Club". His books have been New York Times bestsellers and international bestsellers translated into more than 30 languages.

...I showed your cover to my agent and my American editor and they both pronounced it "extremely cool".

Matt Ruff, author of "Sewer, Gas & Electric: The Public Works Trilogy".

Love the cover, including the Uzi submachine gun.

Graeme Davidson, author of "7Q"

Thank you for all your efforts!
I'm completely content.

Cho Dong-shin, ARTE Books, Seoul, Korea.

Hi, I'm Anton
Khodakovsky

       I live in Moscow, Russia, with my wife and our little daughter. My experience in graphic design is more than 15 years, and I've been designing book covers for over 6 years.
With the career of web design, creative design/illustration for advertising and press,
I've finally found my favorite field, book design. I just love it.

Contact me

All your emails will be answered within
12 hours. As a rule I answer in an hour.