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Archived Author Help > Map creation

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message 1: by A.J. (new)

A.J. Norfield (ajnorfield) | 37 comments Any authors here that have experience with creating maps for fantasy worlds? Do you outsource? Make it yourself? Any special techniques that are useful.

I have a map sketched out, but trying to determine how to proceed with my next steps.

- A.J. Norfield


message 2: by Suzanne (new)

Suzanne Rosenwasser (suzanne_rosenwasser) | 2 comments I am currently drawing a map for the novel that will follow, DON'T YA KNOW. It's about a fictional island off the coast of LI, NY. I am keeping it simple, having referred to maps in many other books -just went to the library one day and pulled them off the shelves. Think of works you know of that contain maps and follow suit. As to who draws the final copy, well, I have an artist friend, but I still have to provide the complete visual (no matter how crude). Hope this helps a bit. Good luck!


message 3: by Joe (new)

Joe Jackson (shoelessauthor) No, and I really need to do maps for mine. I had hoped there would be some program or app out there that lets you do Middle Earth-style maps that you can customize, but if there is one, I have yet to find it.

MS Paint just doesn't do the trick.


message 4: by Ian (new)

Ian Bott (iansbott) | 269 comments I create lots of maps and plans, but so far only for worldbuilding, not to include in the published book. All my working notes are hand-drawn and sketchy, but last year I bought iDraw (I use a Mac) in order to render drawings good enough to publish on my website as background material. So far I've attempted ship plans and architectural drawings, not yet tried a map, but now I've got experience with the software I am confident it could make a good job of it.


message 5: by Ashley (new)

Ashley Capes | 90 comments I used to use AutoRealm (not sure if it still works)

http://sourceforge.net/projects/autor...

But I'm too lazy now to put the detail in - now I sketch then commission an artist to do the real work - got this done and was very happy:

http://www.cityofmasks.com/uploads/2/...


message 6: by A.J. (new)

A.J. Norfield (ajnorfield) | 37 comments Nice map! What were the costs involved?


message 7: by Missy (new)

Missy Sheldrake (missysheldrake) | 252 comments I drew my own maps.
The first one was done by hand and scanned and manipulated in Photoshop.
http://missysheldrake.com/data/imageg...

The second one was drawn with the Procreate app on iPad:
http://missysheldrake.com/data/imageg...

I'm an artist and do illustrations for my books, too.

If anyone needs a hand or a walk through using either method, I'll be happy to help you out. :)


message 8: by Ashley (new)

Ashley Capes | 90 comments A.J. wrote: "Nice map! What were the costs involved?"

Hi AJ - thanks!

I found an illustrator on Fiverr - Ren was great to work with, I think the custom map was around $40:

https://www.fiverr.com/renflowergrapx


message 9: by Caroline (new)

Caroline | 1 comments I only have tips for drawing maps traditionally, sorry! >.<

I saw one post somewhere where somebody took macaroni and traced around it to make a map. (warning: there is some cursing in the post): http://therealladyhawkins.tumblr.com/...

Um, I don't really have any other tips for it. Use graph paper and set units. It sounds like an awful lot of work, but if your map is going to be complicated, setting a scale is very important. Also, scan your map in so that if you lose the piece of paper, you have it on your computer?


message 10: by A.J. (new)

A.J. Norfield (ajnorfield) | 37 comments Ashley wrote: "A.J. wrote: "Nice map! What were the costs involved?"

Hi AJ - thanks!

I found an illustrator on Fiverr - Ren was great to work with, I think the custom map was around $40:

https://www.fiverr.com..."


That is a fair price for the quality of that map I think!


message 11: by Ashley (new)

Ashley Capes | 90 comments A.J. wrote: "Ashley wrote: "A.J. wrote: "Nice map! What were the costs involved?"

Hi AJ - thanks!

I found an illustrator on Fiverr - Ren was great to work with, I think the custom map was around $40:

https:/..."


I was thrilled! :)

(Although, I didn't sketch or request mine against a scale; I was more after a visual representation for myself and readers - which I am awfully happy with)


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