Meet the Book Nerds: Jane Smith and Merrill Rainey! Longtime kidlit friends, former art rep siblings and current critique partners, Jane and Merrill each have over 20+ years experience in the children’s book publishing industry. Their experience ranges from writing and illustration to design and art direction.Together they specialize in children’s books—both traditionally and self-published—from picture books to board books to novelty books and more!
Book a Children’s Book Consultation:
Includes a one hour phone call or video chat to discuss either a specific children’s book project,
the business of children’s book publishing and/or pick our brains on the kidlit topic of your choice.
• Price for picture books, board books, early readers or general inquiries: $150
• Price for graphic novels or illustrated novels: $250
Payment accepted via PayPal and Zelle.
Choose your Book Nerd & Email to Arrange Consultation:
Jane Smith, aka Super Jane, is the award-winning author-illustrator of eight traditionally published picture books, including the popular Chloe Zoe series, and two self-published picture books with three more releasing in 2025. Jane initially began her career as an art director and designer of children’s novelty books at Intervisual Books, working with such luminaries as Jill McDonald and Amy Schimler.
You can learn more about her work at www.superjane.com.
• Contact Jane at jane@superjane.com.
Merrill Rainey is a celebrated picture-book-creator and paper-toy-maker. His nine published children’s books include award-winning picture books, board books and paper toy novelty books. His Color, Cut, Create series was originally self-published before being picked up by the Odd Dot imprint of Macmillan. Merrill is also an accomplished children’s magazine illustrator and comics creator. You can learn more his work at www.littlerainey.com.
• Contact Merrill at merrillr@littlerainey.com
Design services offered*:
Book layout and type setting
Cover design (chapter books, novels, etc.)
Sell sheets
Activity pages
Promotional postcards, bookmarks and business cards
Art direction consultation
*All services include one round of revisions. Additional revisions will be billed at an hourly rate of $20/hour.
Basic Book Design (Picture Book)—includes layout and type setting for one book.
Price: $500
Basic Book Design (Chapter Book or Novel)—includes layout and type setting for one book.
Price: $800
Basic Book Design (Book Cover Only) — includes layout of the front and back cover and interior jacket flaps, type setting and custom title treatment.
Price: $500.00
Add ons:
E-book Design—includes adaptation of print book to an e-book.
Price: $250
Sell Sheet: Price: $50
Activity Pages
Price x1: $50
Price of each additional: $40
Single Promotional Item (choice one: postcard, bookmark or business card)
Price: $50
Art Direction Consultation—includes a one hour phone call or video chat
Price: $100
Materials required from client to engage book design services:
Manuscript in Microsoft Word or Adobe Pages
Artwork conforming to the following specs:
• JPGs
• CMYK preferred (RGB files will be converted for print)
• desired trim size + a minimum 1/2 inch bleed at 300 dpi
3) Barcode (if using)
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Website needs:
Name of business/URL
What content do we need on our page.
Cost for what we provide