KDante, what are your goals in publishing? You need to establish those right now. Do you just want to say 'I have been published', and know it's okay if you sell no more than a dozen copies a year? Do you want to aggressively market your self-published work,in hopes of being the next Konrath or Hocking?
Because you're going to have to do everything a 'trade' publisher would do for you, by yourself, and at least as competently - if not more.
Why do you think a publisher's art department WOULDN'T work with you, to a reasonable point? If your cover ideas work, they'd probably be high on the department's wish list. Even if they aren't 100% effective, elements and ideas can be adapted.
If you've been following Tor.com at all recently, there's been a lovely series of articles about cover art inspiring short stories, and about the cover evolution of new Jordan/Sanderson Wheel of Time books. And let me tell ya, I'd love to have Tor's art department and Michael Whelan on my side!
I like self-publishing...done right, it's as valid a platform as any. But it is a really harsh environment for the millions of titles released to fend for themselves.
I don't know you. I don't know your art skills. But for the sake of your future earning power, I'd humbly beg you to undergo an honest, objective review of your art design background. If you can create covers that compare favorably to the best of the elegant indies and the Big Six, then go for it.
Because you're going to have to do everything a 'trade' publisher would do for you, by yourself, and at least as competently - if not more.
Why do you think a publisher's art department WOULDN'T work with you, to a reasonable point? If your cover ideas work, they'd probably be high on the department's wish list. Even if they aren't 100% effective, elements and ideas can be adapted.
If you've been following Tor.com at all recently, there's been a lovely series of articles about cover art inspiring short stories, and about the cover evolution of new Jordan/Sanderson Wheel of Time books. And let me tell ya, I'd love to have Tor's art department and Michael Whelan on my side!
I like self-publishing...done right, it's as valid a platform as any. But it is a really harsh environment for the millions of titles released to fend for themselves.
I don't know you. I don't know your art skills. But for the sake of your future earning power, I'd humbly beg you to undergo an honest, objective review of your art design background. If you can create covers that compare favorably to the best of the elegant indies and the Big Six, then go for it.