I ask because I think that the book probably needs a map of the city and environs, as well as a map of the country. My wife thinks that it does not, given that the locations were all set pieces. I do see her point, but I also see mine. And on the gripping hand, people who make maps for fantasy novels gotta eat, too*.
Thoughts? Also, where do I go to get maps made that aren’t crap? Is there a standard industry price? I’m gonna need somebody who can hit a deadline.
Moe Lane
*I think my philosophy here is that I will be on a budget, but I’m not gonna be cheap.
Unhelpfully, “it depends”.
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If this is the Cin City one… a “hand drawn” map may be more in keeping than a “motor club” or “official city” or “guide to the stars homes” map … your call obviously.
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Unless Cin City is built on an existing place, it’s a modified graphic design gig, you (Moe) provide a back-of-napkin design, and ask the designer/ artist to “make it look like…”. ….
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Price is probably gonna be less than a cover since you’re looking at black and white.
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Maybe ask the same artist doing the cover for a consistent feel?
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Mew
It’s based on a real location, sort of. As to the artist: I’m still waiting to hear back from the one artist of the three I contacted who actually does do maps.
I like a good map in a book. It can capture the imagination in a way that kind of primes the pump for the adventure ahead.
I love maps. They’re helpful, and if you feel like you need maps, then by all means, get yourself some maps.
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And now I will gripe here, to people who haven’t heard it, about the lack of maps in Princess Principal or any of its ancillary published material that I know of, which I think really needs maps and didn’t provide them.
Maps are awesome, but then I’m a map geek. One of the things that got me into LotR as a kid was the epic maps, and that remains a criteria when I consider other fantasy series. I will still throw money at you for *your* book of course.
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There are may excellent freelance map-makers out there. I enjoy Reddit’s r/ImaginaryMaps or r/FantasyMaps.
Map and Tolkien geek here, as well. I like maps because they help me visualize where things are in the book world.
Maps are good.
Footnotes are better.
Maps with Footnotes are best.
When including a map, particularly if it is an area map and not a location one, please don’t fall for the folly of completeness. With far too many maps in modern publications every single place that is labeled is used. For those following along that can be a bit of a downer since it spoils the tale: i.e. only two locations left, guess where the action is going.
Given that you are notably uncertain as to the necessity, and your wife is absolutely certain as to the lack thereof, I suggest that you’re asking the wrong question. The right question is:
Will inclusion of maps sell enough additional copies to increase your income by more than the price of the artwork commission? Alternatively, will the inclusion of a map make the average buyer more likely to buy the next book you publish?
Then answer to the first question is almost certainly “no”. If the answer to the second question is “yes”, that means your wife is wrong.
The only works of fiction that I can think of off the top of my head that are improved by maps are historical military fiction a la Flashman at the Charge. Tolkien’s maps weren’t really necessary. They were beautiful in and of themselves, but I don’t think they were needed by most readers. The Earthsea cycle isn’t improved by maps.
For what it’s worth.
Terrain dictates.
Mostly, they’re just kind of there.
Sometimes they add to the story (but not often), sometimes they detract from the story (but again, not often).
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Most are like Cook’s Black Company. The map doesn’t add anything, doesn’t take away anything, it just kind of is.
Some are like Tolkien’s The Hobbit. It gives a sense of the wider world, and is a prop from the book itself.
Some are like the map of Ankh-Morpork, and no matter how beautiful, they can’t help but pale in comparison to what you’ve imagined.
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How to get one done depends on if you want an actual map, or an artist’s rendering of what a map *should* look like.
Joe Abercrombie used to loath putting actual maps in his books (he did have map, but it’s not in useful form as it’s the book cover). He has since changed his mind, since it does allow the readers to actually get a better picture of the world he’s building. Albeit, his original hand drawn map are more akin to a RPG map than cartography map.
Unless your world has dwarves pulling chain and toting transits, the RPG campaign map is likely more useful.
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If I have time later tonight, I’ll write up a bit about that, and some cartography basics.