[BettyCross]

I have decided to include a map of my imaginary world in my novel MS when I submit it. Is this generally accepted practice? If not, how do maps get into the fantasy books?

Betty Cross

[Jon Sprunk]

If you have a map, I don't think it hurts to include it with your submission.

[KatG]

You can submit it with the ms. if you want, but they aren't interested in it for the submission. Maps for actual publication are usually supplied by the author after the publisher agrees to include or asks for a map.

[Jennifer P]

If the publisher asks ME for a map, I'm going to be hiring somebody to make one ;).

[Liane Merciel]

You can submit it with the ms. if you want, but they aren't interested in it for the submission. Maps for actual publication are usually supplied by the author after the publisher agrees to include or asks for a map.

Yup, and professional-quality maps are not cheap. I would have had to spend a few hundred dollars to get one drawn up; therefore my book went to the printer without one. Between paying for a wedding and a first home, there just weren't a lot of pennies left over for a cartographer. ;)

I used to think that the publisher had someone from the art department draw up their maps, just like they have contacts for the cover art, but at least in my experience this is not the case. It's up to the author to get that done.

[BettyCross]

I used to think that the publisher had someone from the art department draw up their maps, just like they have contacts for the cover art, but at least in my experience this is not the case. It's up to the author to get that done.
I suspected as much. That's why I'm planning to purchase Campaign Cartographer.

http://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp

I intend to deduct the purchase price from my income tax for this year.

Betty Cross

[Laer Carroll]

I never look at maps. I'm too lazy. And anyway they are boring.

I think maps are useful to the author, to help visualize distances and directions and construct reasonably realistic geography so that your readers feel it is convincing.

But leave the map for your use alone. All the work and money you use to make it good enough to go in a book you could better use on something else.

[Taramoc]

I have to disagree. To this day, I still remember fondly the map of my first Lord of the Rings.

I love maps, they drop me in the world in seconds. I love looking for cities barely mentioned in the book. I love maps as much as I love list of characters.

If I grab a book of an author I don't know in my local bookstore, if there is a good looking map, he or she stands a much better chance that I buy the book.

Taramoc

[goldhawk]

I love maps too. But whether you include one depends on you. If you love maps, you probably already have one long before the novel is finished. If not, don't worry about them.

[Nex]

I have to disagree. To this day, I still remember fondly the map of my first Lord of the Rings.

I love maps, they drop me in the world in seconds. I love looking for cities barely mentioned in the book. I love maps as much as I love list of characters.

If I grab a book of an author I don't know in my local bookstore, if there is a good looking map, he or she stands a much better chance that I buy the book.

Taramoc


I am exactly the same, A good detailed map is a massive plus for me. Like you I was probably addicted with a LotR map, my dad has an expensive set of it with really large detailed fold out maps in the back. They even have contours.