Fanfare! Map contract

[David Steele]

Just when I least expected it, I've been approached by a client who is writing a book about WW1 and asked to produce five maps based on Ypres.
I was just thinking the other day that I might start approaching literary agents and offering bespoke maps to publishers. Could be a good pocket money job? I only tart this stuff out at below National Minimum Wage, but it adds up. If I got more requests I might be able to ask for a fair rate...
My mapping page is a bit broken at the moment. I messed about with the style sheets and I need to fix it! If anyone knows a good way to approach publishers with this type of service, I'd be grateful to learn more.

 

[Karen Gray]

Just when I least expected it, I've been approached by a client who is writing a book about WW1 and asked to produce five maps based on Ypres.
I was just thinking the other day that I might start approaching literary agents and offering bespoke maps to publishers. Could be a good pocket money job? I only tart this stuff out at below National Minimum Wage, but it adds up. If I got more requests I might be able to ask for a fair rate...
My mapping page is a bit broken at the moment. I messed about with the style sheets and I need to fix it! If anyone knows a good way to approach publishers with this type of service, I'd be grateful to learn more.

I think this is a brilliant idea. I know I for one would be really interested in having maps drawn for my books. I love looking at maps of fantasy worlds. And I am sure I'm not the first person who has spent a long time looking into how to have it done and coming up blank. It is another reason,. besides cover art that I wanted to learn my design skills. That to me says there is a gap in the market for you... On how to approach publishers with the idea, I'm clueless other than in a similar way to a query we would send for a manuscript, only look for the design team maybe?

EDIT - OH! and congratulations on the new contract

 

[Jennifer Stone]

Well done, David. Any news is good for us creative types, with a resurgence in world building books of epic proportions, I'm sure your skills could be in demand. If I could afford your rates, I'd love you to draw mine. I've tried to DIY, but it doesn't quite look like a proper map.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Just when I least expected it, I've been approached by a client who is writing a book about WW1 and asked to produce five maps based on Ypres.
I was just thinking the other day that I might start approaching literary agents and offering bespoke maps to publishers. Could be a good pocket money job? I only tart this stuff out at below National Minimum Wage, but it adds up. If I got more requests I might be able to ask for a fair rate...
My mapping page is a bit broken at the moment. I messed about with the style sheets and I need to fix it! If anyone knows a good way to approach publishers with this type of service, I'd be grateful to learn more.

I don't know anything helpful exactly, David, but my Matrimonio is, like so many, really into WW1 history and has taken friends to the Somme, escorting them with the benefit of his knowledge. He's not a professional but I see there are a lot of professional bespoke tour operators, who may represent a target market for your cartography, who might not want maps you can just get anywhere.

 

[David Steele]

When I developed the concept of bespoke cartography I really thought I'd come up with a great idea for a business. I didn't stop to think that, if a map took me twenty hours to produce, then I would need to be paid for twenty hours of my time if I was going to make a living from it!

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Really interesting work. Umbrella companies using freelancers? http://www.cartography.org.uk/?contentID=613

 

[David Steele]

Some really excellent people in that directory. I considered joining the BCS but made the switch from mapping to writing . If it wasn't for the pesky day job I could manage both!

 

[Marc Joan]

Congratulations. I'd say the critical issue is one of marketing - i.e. ensuring that the people who might need maps know that you do them and do them well. I suspect that there is enough demand out there for you to get a nice little revenue stream, as a second string to your bow, if only you can identify and talk to the potential clients.

 

[David Steele]

I suspect that there is enough demand out there for you to get a nice little revenue stream, as a second string to your bow, .

I've kind of promised myself that any money I make from mapping will go to fund editorial services for my writing!

 

[Karen Gray]

I've kind of promised myself that any money I make from mapping will go to fund editorial services for my writing!

That seems like a sound strategy to me