This is how I had a fantasy map created

So you did a book and now you need to create a fantasy map.  This is how I hade a fantasy map created for me.

Well, I have written the first installment in the Tale of Marilia series and I am really pleased with how the book has gone.

It’s gone off to the publishers and they’re also happy with the book .  After some editing, it’s off out into the world in Kindle format on Amazon.  Best of all its getting good sales so I should be over the moon.

Getting a fantasy map created is a big thing for a book.  Take a look at all the other leading authors in this sector.  Tolkien and Feist etc all have a wealth of information around for fan’s to indulge in, if  you want to make it do the same.  Give the audience the escapism they want.  This is how I had a fantasy map created and I am really pleased with the results.

It all started when the publishers asked for a map to go with the book.  Lucky for me I did one with my expensive map making software a few years ago when I first started the book.  Sadly, I would have bet my house that I had backed it up on an external drive but the problem is, where did I put the drive!

I remember spending about a week doing the map the first time around and I cannot seem to find it anywhere, I eventually calm down and set about redoing it.  To be honest I quickly gave up on it as learning how to use the software again was trouble enough so I set about getting a plan B.

We needed a map so I started doing some research on how I could go about getting one made for us.  I needed to look at all the things, ownership of the rights to the map, the ability to use it as we see fit etc but also something that will really do the world and it’s readers justice. 

Lucky for me it’s my call how the map looks so I now need someone to get their head around how I see the map being.  Prior to my time writing I had strong project management skills and I felt this would help a lot.  These things happen by design not just luck and thankfully the person I appointed did a great jon on it.  

So if your thinking of doing something like this, this is how I did it.

The Start

I went to the Cartographers Guild website and put up a post asking for help, someone kindly sent me there early into the process.  After a few days some interest came in on the project – you can list free or paid for commissions on this site and as we had a budget I suspect that prompted a quicker response.

I selected someone whose examples I liked, Tom Fayern from Statarealm seemed interested in what I wanted to do (a big point). 

Ideally you need someone who is interested in the project and will work on it in a timely fashion. The price was set and Tom was happy to listen to what I needed the map.

Tom was great, a sponge that did exactly as asked and never tried to alter things at all.  Best of all 99% of the time what I asked for was what I got first time around.  Not something I have to say you always get from technical or art’y type people so a BIG thanks Tom!

The Design Phase

Having done the map before, I had a clear idea on key landmarks for the map.  I knew where towns and cities should be and this saved me a lot of time in doing a rough sketch. 

I went back to the story to ensure the route the book took is the same as what the map shows. (In short east in the book matches east on the map).

With this all done I was asked to draw and scan a hand drawing of the map shape and notes then to send it to Tom.  Tom was very good here to say it can be really basis and he will do the rest.  Just give him a key to work off and he will be fine.  The sketch was done and the key was sent over separately as an Excel document to give him more to go on.

As you can see its really basic…..Being honest the finished article vs how it started is really something, this is how I had a fantasy map created

My very basic free hand drawing

The Editing Phases

This is an ongoing process really and there was a bit of backwards and forward between the designers and me.  It was a good experience for me though as at every step of the way alterations were made as needed.

The time difference did affect things a bit (he is in the USA and I am in England) but to be honest there were no real mixed messages and what I asked for was what was delivered to me.

Below are some examples of the differing stages.

This was the first bit I got back from the designers showing the overlay of my original drawing

Next was to add the sea depth to the map which was done well.

The Sea Depth is Added

 Some stronger early stage detail is now added to the below image, the map starts to take shape now.

Early detail is put on the map, some greenery is starting to appear

Mountains and Forests are added.

The greenery starts to come through as does the Raddadas Mountains in the South

More layers of depth and further detail to the design.  It is starting to look more as it should.

The desert and other parts are added including more mountain ranges

A big feature is added – The Elven Woods and at last some place names as well appear below.

The Elven Woods come to life and at last some place names appear

The Final Few Edits

As you see your world literally come to life, your excitement grows and it is great knowing what bits of the map come into play in later books.  It is really important to have a clear vision by this stage of what you want.  That vision has to be almost as clear at the start though or it means more work for all parties.  Getting a good plan in place early saves time, stress and money.

Below shows the place names coming up

Almost all place names are added now - almost at the finish line

As you can see a big change has come in from the original and and fairly poor freehand drawing I did.

It may not look like much but a lot was changed in this and the last the first pic to this one.  Many of the changes were small but it all adds up to getting the vision just right.

This is almost the finished article, place names have come up, spellings checked and their exact location is nailed down.

The Finished Thing

See below – I hope you enjoy.

Almost the final design, a key needed to be added and one small chance then its finished.

A few notes:

The map designers have a lot of experience; let them do their jobs as much as possible.
Give clear instructions as to what you want.  There were times when I needed a river moved a little to the left and nothing was an issue.
Snagging list – wait till you get a few things you need doing and try to do bulk changes.  It enables things to move quicker and the changes come through well.
Have a very clear idea of what you want, make some basic sketches and ideally I would suggest doing this as you are writing the book.  Yes it sounds like double work (you’re doing the book and a map) but your map work does not have to be anything special.  Just enough to mean you don’t need to reread your book as you do the map (I did).
Black and white, get a B&W version of your map as some forms of Kindle only show colour maps in this format and you want to know what it will look like.
Enjoy it, this is a good time and you want to see things coming to life.

I hope this helps and anyone with any questions feel free to get in touch as it’s your book and you deserve to get what you want.