A Book Designer Takes Stock

December 7th, 2009

I sometimes think that I lead kind of a remarkable life. But then it occurs to me that it likely seems remarkable only to me.

This line of thought popped into my head again this morning, a little after 6 a.m., as I was running. No denials now, I am 56 years old. I was running with my iPod Touch clipped to the middle layer of sweatshirts I wear when it’s around freezing, AC/DC blaring “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” through my earbuds, and I was considering what I might do to pick up my next book design and layout project.

Just a couple of days ago I had begun one of my twice-yearly efforts to email every publisher in the current year’s Writer’s Market with an inquiry about their potential need for a freelance book designer/typesetter and links to sample of my work. And I about decided to follow up with a promotional postcard after New Year’s.

And gradually I began to feel better. See, lately it’s bothered me that my voice has changed. Oh, I never mustered the nerve to sing publicly, but I should have. I was always able to go note-for-note singing along with Lou Christie on “Lightning Strikes” or “Two Faces Have I,” as well as Lou Gramm on “Urgent” or “Long, Long Way from Home.” Then, a few months ago, I could no longer hit the notes I used to. Mind you, this is just singing along with the car radio or the iPod. Still, it was a bit of a reminder that everything changes.

Then Saturday I sent off  what are likely the last corrections on my 62nd book project. Now, I realize that considering these were all done in addition to my full-time, 9-to-5 civil service job, that’s not too shabby a body of book design and/or layout work. But it also means I’ve only average about four books yearly since 1993. That doesn’t make me feel so accomplished. So another year draws to a close and I begin my marketing season, waiting for number 63 to arrive. That’s the interior page textfiles; I sent off the cover almost three months ago, so the client could get it in their new catalog.

The truest thing I was ever told by an experienced freelancer when I started out was a reply posted to a query of mine on the old Freelancers Online forum. Expect to spend fully half your time lining up paying work—as a beginner for sure, and from time to time afterwards, as the economy or just the publishing season ebbs and flows.

Entry Filed under: freelancing

2 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Joel Friedlander  |  December 11th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    Steve, lovely post. For many years making a living as a self-employed book designer/producer I’ve tried to stick to the guideline I learned years ago that you should spend 15% of your time marketing. That’s 6 hours in a 40 hour week, and if you can keep that up month after month it does add up.

    Have you found your mass mailings produce actual jobs?

  • 2. admin  |  December 20th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    Thanks, Joel.

    Yes, I’ve found the emailings work. Sometimes, it takes a while. One publisher I emailed for 5 or 6 years, before they responded. I did layout–no design–on about 8 books for them over a coupla years. Things slowed and we–the publishing and myself–are hoping they’ll pick up again in 2010. And, yes, I’ve gotten a number of other clients that way, as well.

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