I used Stuart's services several years ago. The book cover he designed for me was beautiful, but he acted like an ass. He said he was so busy, he'd finish it during the Christmas holiday. I didn't hear from him so at the beginning of the year, I contacted him. He had forgotten to do it. I waited some more and eventually he sent the cover but it wouldn't download onto Createspace no matter how hard I tried. I called the Createspace company several times and the tech support there couldn't figure out what was wrong. I couldn't get ahold of Stuart. He didn't have his own phone and when I used the number I finally found for him, it was actually his girlfriend's cell phone.
I never did get him by phone, but I did get in touch by email. He tried and tried and didn't know why I couldn't send the cover. Eventually, he figured out that he'd sent the cover in a zip case that needed to be opened first. I had never heard of it.
I did get the cover sent to Creatspace and when I needed a second cover, I pondered whether or not to go with Stuart. The cover was lovely and I might have had more trouble with someone else, so I sent an email asking for him to design another cover. I never heard from him. Ironically, after the beginning of the year, I saw that his prices on his website had risen dramatically. I personally didn't think he was worth that much.
I was also left with the impression that he thought I was too much trouble to work for. and wasn't going to bother with me again. What a joke! I had been very patient and never lost my cool.
I had better luck when I advertised for graphic designers on Craigslist. I had hundreds of responses and found one that gave me no trouble. I would recommend going in that direction. You don't have to take anyone's baloney. There is too much competition out there. read more