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Sorry you are having to go through this Alex. It has to be incredibly frustrating. I know I wouldn't have the patience to wait for 7 months! On the plus side - if this company is so busy, that means they must do quality work. On the down side, it screws with your schedule. Lets hope this company values your custom enough to bump you to the top of the wait list or that, through this thread, you get a brilliant suggestion for an alternative.

Crossing fingers on your behalf! :-)

Argh. This was a similar reason why I mangled a cover myself. Either they wanted hundreds of pounds for a cover-money as you know I don't have. The ones I could afford didn't fit what I wanted. And a lot of them weren't taking any new work on. I hope they come through for you. That cover is great work.

Everything happens for a reason. You will have the best launch when it all comes together.

On the bright side-how many books have you got ready to go? At least 4? That's amazing. Even if your covers aren't ready at least your words are.

That's mind-bogglingly impressive! Youre a writing machine Alex...I take it writers block doesnt visit your house!

That's an enormous YAY.

I've probably got about 2! I haven't read them in ages, so I don't know what stage of editing they are in.

I feel kinda ashamed of my procrastination issues now Alex! I actually have no excuse as to why I havent started the second draft of book 2 except perhaps that my time is stretched over a million different things, but.... nah...I have no excuse...nada...zilch...not a one. seriously though Alex, bravo! Thats inspiring!

Yep all of that can scupper plans to get on with things. I drifted for a couple of years after I had a mini stroke. It wasn't even a serious one, but I lost all energy for ages after that and couldn't get anything done.

I wouldn't say "capable" Alex, winging it maybe lol.

I was lucky I got away with no major lasting physical things. I merely slur my speech when I'm tired and sometimes struggle to find the right words when I'm speaking, also when I'm tired. My memory might have suffered. And of course I'm still very tired. Dad had a mini stroke and lost the sight in one eye. He never really recovered from that.

Wow it's great that you have that many books! Not sure if you would be open to pre-designed covers, but that is how I got all of mine and they are quite affordable http://selfpubbookcovers.com/ . Also, no wait time :).

Marie wrote: "Wow it's great that you have that many books! Not sure if you would be open to pre-designed covers, but that is how I got all of mine and they are quite affordable http://selfpubbookcovers.com/ . A..."

That's one of the sites I looked at. I really liked them. But I couldn't find one that spanned my two genres (plus my husband said it was too much money for a cover that might not recoup its cost.)

Alex wrote: "Well in all fairness, I had a couple of years without technology because of financial problems so all I had was writing paper and pens and not much else to do but write.
I should actually done bett..."

You're a rock star! Hugs!!!

I think that if you got a decent cover designer they could come up with something similar enough to your first book that you wouldn't have to change it, but not so similar that they'd be infringing on another designer's work.

Also, I can't imagine any design company being that successful with a seven-month lag. That just sounds inefficient for all concerned. No one would be worth that. Your covers are really good, but honestly I'm not convinced that they are so unique that it would be worth waiting that long.

The woman that does my covers has never had more than a four-day waiting period. And I'm very happy with my covers!

Either way, I hope it works out for you!

Yeah, exactly. It seems weird.

If you are interested in the woman that does my covers, her name is Tatiana and she's very nice. Here's her website: https://www.viladesign.net/

ARGH because I don't have control over the cover, the cover is doing my head in. What if I ask for too many revisions when it says unlimited eBook revisions? What if she says no she's not doing any more? (I suffer from anxiety btw, irrational ranting is quite normal.) ARGH. I. Don't. Do. People. And I've got another cold.

Hang in there, Alex, it gets so frustrating at times.

If you decide to look somewhere else, I'd like to add the girl I used. She's very patient, she LISTENS, and when she says unlimited revisions, she means it, she's that nice! I don't use her anymore because I discovered Canva.com and I really love doing it myself:)

It's http://www.ebook-coverdesigns.com/ and her name is Brandi.

Sorry to hear about your cold, Amy. Get better!

Thanks Groovy. (These cover people are soooo talented)

Well now that's a relief.

lol I know. One thing at a time though.

Good to hear, Alex:)

Alex wrote: "Groovy wrote: "Good to hear, Alex:)"

Thanks"

Dude. Go to sleep.

Its 7am here in SA. I keep forgetting that most people on this group are in the states and fast asleep by now.

Ruth wrote: "Its 7am here in SA. I keep forgetting that most people on this group are in the states and fast asleep by now."

6:11 am here. I've been awake all night. I need to fix this. :(

Where in the world are you Alexis? Europe?

Whaaat? Alexis! You have to SLEEP!

Ruth wrote: "Where in the world are you Alexis? Europe?"

Yes! The Netherlands. :)

Alex wrote: "5:16 here in the UK. Sounds like you're doing worse than me, Alexis, I hope you're managing to get some sleep."

I nap in the afternoons. I'm going to try not to nap today. I'm going to the city and to the park. Anywhere where I won't be near a bed!

The Netherlands...one of my favourite places! Visited Amsterdam in 2012 and fell in love with the place. Could have pitched a tent in the Rijk Museum and stayed there

Ruth wrote: "The Netherlands...one of my favourite places! Visited Amsterdam in 2012 and fell in love with the place. Could have pitched a tent in the Rijk Museum and stayed there"

Ah but did you go to the red light district? :p Lol. Just kidding, please don't take me seriously lol!! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. I love Amsterdam, but Rotterdam is my favorite NL city. I'm biased cause I live there lol.

Alexis wrote: "Ruth wrote: "The Netherlands...one of my favourite places! Visited Amsterdam in 2012 and fell in love with the place. Could have pitched a tent in the Rijk Museum and stayed there"

Ah but did you ..."

Actually no, I didn't, but I did accidently end up in some rather dodgy coffee shops! lol

Alex wrote: "5:16 here in the UK. Sounds like you're doing worse than me, Alexis, I hope you're managing to get some sleep."

which part of the UK are you from Alex? I am british born, and lived there for a couple of years, although I haven't been back for about 25 years.

Alex wrote: "Bristol, Ruth, though I've lived a few places.

Alexis, I have to nap in the afternoons as well if I want to get through the day. I've tried not napping in the hopes of being tired enough to sleep

Insomnia is awful - I hope the both of you get some zzzz's tonight. I get bouts of it from time to time, and it's not fun. I find it works for me if I just get up and do something else. There's nothing worse than lying awake stressing about not sleeping. Anyhoooo, I'm off to the quack (feeling like death on toast this morning), after which I'll probably take a nap. Will catch up with you all soon.

Afternoon naps are eminently sensible. I look back and wonder how I got through 12 hour + work days.

Mind you as I live in the land of the siesta …

I think you guys were just sympatheticly awake for me- I was up at 3.30am for work ;)

Alex wrote: "Kay wrote: "I think you guys were just sympatheticly awake for me- I was up at 3.30am for work ;)"

That doesn't sound like fun, I hope you like the job."

I'm actually fine with starting early :D a lot of days I finish at 10pm so I love that I get to go home at lunch time today!

I used to like to get in and out early. I'm self employed now within reason I have to try to work whenever I'm needed.

Feel better Ruth.

Alex try some yoga breathing and stretching. It really works.

Alexis- how can I help with the work??

Well, it looks like I'll live to write another book no-one will read! lol. Now Im just feeling maudlin as I just bingewatched Broadchurch Season 1 all morning and cried buckets at the end. Hope you all got some nap time in Alex and Alexa and that youre feeling better Amy!

Seen season 1 need to watch Broadchurch 2 and 3.

Yoga is awesome, had to give up the exercise part because of EDS/HMS whatever we're calling it this week, but still do some of the breathing stuff, bit of stretching-carefully!

Apparently the urge to write hits me at the same time I'm supposed to be cooking family dinner. Useful.

Alex wrote: "I hope the family understands that writing is more important than cooking. "

hahahah

Alexis, you live in a beautiful country. I have a friend from the Netherlands!!!!

Well, it's 3 in the afternoon here in bland old US--bland compared to the Netherlands. I love that country.

Moaning...I can't bring myself to go yay over the 8 or 9 downloads I had on Smashwords last week because the book was free for that duration. In the 4 months it's been up there I think I've sold 3 copies.

(plus all of my client list for my other business cancelled yesterday so things are going to be very tight money wise this week. And I've got to pay a solicitor £53 to cover my third of the probate application for my Dad's will-forcing myself further into debt to do so.)

I am extremely tired.

Thanks. I think I require nothing short of a lottery win to put everything right at the moment. A list of things need fixing at home. My main income didn't ever recover from the recession and the kids constantly need things bought for them. Go back a few years and I was a totally different person economically.

Amy wrote: "Thanks. I think I require nothing short of a lottery win to put everything right at the moment. A list of things need fixing at home. My main income didn't ever recover from the recession and the k..."

Hi Amy, if it makes you less alone in your situation, I really can empathize. I had to start from scratch (and I really mean from scratch) three times in my life. Am still trying to recover and just as I think things are coming right, the universe kicks my feet out from under me again. But I will not EVER give up (and you shouldn't either). Tough times don't last forever - try to keep your chin up and things will turn soon enough, I promise. I'm also getting discouraged with book sales, but I try to look at it from the point of view that the right people will buy the book when they most need to read it, so am practising patience (sometimes unsuccessfully). So basically, what Im trying to say is I hear you, Ive been in that situation and I know it sucks, but it WILL turn. Sending hugs.

Ruth wrote: "Amy wrote: "Thanks. I think I require nothing short of a lottery win to put everything right at the moment. A list of things need fixing at home. My main income didn't ever recover from the recessi..."

Thanks Ruth. Hopefully things will pick up for everyone.

Alex wrote: "Maybe something will turn up, your book could suddenly explode into the top 100 on Amazon and solve all your problems."

Alex I really want to use the phrase "Meanwhile in the real world..."

I can't even get onto an author list on Amazon. I still don't know how that works. Or even if it's anything to be concerned with.

Amy wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Amy wrote: "Thanks. I think I require nothing short of a lottery win to put everything right at the moment. A list of things need fixing at home. My main income didn't ever recover fro..."

They will Amy, you'll see. We Hamiltons dont give up easy (we aren't related are we?) :-)