graphic design

LV Book Design - what's been going on

Last year, I realized that I really wanted to focus my design expertise on book design. I decided to start by opening up LV Book Design. I created this design business with the hopes of provided self-publishing and indie authors with professional designs that they may not be able to get since they are not going through a publishing company that has designers either on contract or in-house to work on their books.

I'll be honest, it's been a slow process. I worked for a long time on developing and designing my brand, then designing and building my website. I had to write base contracts for each design package I offered, set up an email account, develop a newsletter and figure out how to reach the self-publishing/indie authors. I've been working on blog content over there, in addition to my more regular blog content over here. I also did some "cold calling" by scouring the internet forums and groups for authors and writers, and would just send the ones who seemed to be looking for design help emails offering my services. At the same time, I decided to design and offer pre-made covers to help authors with even tighter budgets (because self-publishing can be quite expensive).

I was hesitant to put up pre-made covers at first. A lot of the ones out there on the internet are, to be honest, horrible. They are amateur at best and completely illegible most of the time. I did not want my work and expertise to be lumped in with this group. Then I had to just step out of my designer-snob moment and ask myself "why, if these are so bad, do they sell?" The answer was because sometimes that's the best a self-publishing author can afford. If you are trying to go the indie route, it's a real struggle–not only for money, but for other resources as well, like time, energy and courage. I created LV Book Design to help these writers, and it would be a disservice to them if I just left them with these options in this price range to choose from when I could just as easily spend time developing some products to help their chances once they publish.

So far, I've sold one of my pre-made covers with that leading to possibly more work from that author. It's a small victory, but I definitely celebrated it. It also made me feel like I really made the right choice offering pre-made designs on my site. 

I'm still learning how to run an online design business. Mainly, I'm trying my best to figure out how to get it to those who need it. But I do what I know best. I blog, and over there I try to write posts that writers will find helpful. I want to encourage authors to keep going with their craft as I try to push forward with my own.

So, that's just an update on my adventures in opening a business. I'm still the senior designer at my day job (well, I'm the Assistant Production Director now, but most people who don't have any clue about publication design don't know what that means and it basically boils down to "Senior Designer"), but I dream of doing LV Book Design full time, some day.

Running on fumes

The past two weeks have been crazy for me. Over the weekend I finally had a moment to just breath and plan, and that's when it hit me. I'm over doing it; and if I keep this up, I'll be running on fumes in no time.

I really looked at what I have going on in my life:

  • Full time graphic design job that has me working OT every week and where my responsibilities and work load is increasing constantly
  • Lazy Lady, which I have been slowly cutting back from the 5-6 posts-a-week
  • Books, Booze + Bajingos Podcast, and granted, it is a once a month deal, but it is a very time consuming once a month project
  • LV Book Design, which is in its baby phases – I worry I'm not spending enough time and effort on my side hustle to get it truly going
  • Trying to spend as much time as possible with my husband, who is also working side jobs in addition to his full time job – this makes our "free" time very precious to both of us
  • Giving all our fur-babies the attention and play time they need
  • It's getting into the holiday season which means family obligations on both my side and Mr. LL's side of the family
  • Trying to not live in a dump because both Mr. LL and I are so busy
  • Oh and I have a big project I'm working on for Lazy Lady that will, hopefully, launch in December

My problem is, I WANT TO DO IT ALL. There isn't one thing on the list that I don't want to do. I am just becoming aware that I mentally/physically can't do it all. 😞Now I'm having to make some tough decisions. I know that it's going to be Lazy Lady that is going to see the first cuts in an effort to save my sanity. I just don't know from where...

BIG Announcement! And also, I'm not dead.

First, let me apologize for my disappearance from the blog since last Friday. I am alive and well, just busy. This weekend, I just flat out dropped the ball and forgot to do Sunday's Goal Getter post. Then Monday, my computer was running super slow, so I went through and cleared out some programs and files I didn't need anymore; when I emptied my Trash, there were over 26,000 files to delete. So, my computer was out of commission for the day. I didn't waste that day though! I tried my had at freezer cooking and I'll be doing a post about it in the near future! Yesterday, I spent all day working on and finalizing my secret project. I actually started writing this blog post last evening, but then my iPad (that I was writing on at the time) crashed and I lost the entire post. So, yeah. This week on the blog was a bit of a wash, so I apologize for my poor time management!

On to happier topics, the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

I've been talking about starting a new side hustle venture on the blog for a hot minute now (just check out the recent Goal Getters and this post), and I'm finally ready to share it with the world!

LV Book Design is open for business!!

That's right! I've opened my own book design studio! I have put a lot of hard work into the passion project of mine, and I hope you will take a minute to check it out. As you, my lovely readers, are well aware of, I LOVE books. I am an avid reader and have been since I was a little girl. I am also an expert in my field, graphic design. I have a decade of experience under my belt and I am an excellent designer. I've worked hard to get to this level of expertise and skill, and I have complete confidence in my ability to make LV Book Design a success.


If you would like to help support my dream, please take one of these badges to share on your blogs/websites! Or just spread the word!

LVBookDesign-100x100

(150x150)

Link back to:
http://www.lvbookdesign.com

Or use this code:
<a href="http://www.lvbookdesign.com"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/681/21471878115_d6760a83dd_q.jpg"/></a>
LVBookDesign-250x250

(240x240)

Link back to: http://www.lvbookdesign.com

Or use this code:
<a href="http://www.lvbookdesign.com"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/759/21471878095_1ce494d74f_m.jpg"/></a>


LVBookDesign-300x150

(300x150)

Link back to: http://www.lvbookdesign.com

Or use this code:
<a href="http://www.lvbookdesign.com"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5813/20850788153_cd22696525_n.jpg"/></a>

I really appreciate any and all support as I get LV Book Design up and running!