carter norman phillips

fantasy maps for authors

Custom medieval-inspired cartography tailored for your story and your needs.

Cartography! Something I have loved since before I learned to read. I used to pour over the historic maps in encyclopedias, tracing my fingers over the borders and rivers that make the countries we have today. I love the maps in the beginnings of books like Lord of the Rings and Narnia and it saddens me to see many historical and fantasy books published today with no maps. It is a tragedy when I pick up a new book to find either no map, or a map that looks so modern it pulls me out of the story. 

So it is a great joy to create fantasy maps for authors or anyone else who needs them, striving for excellence, creativity, and atmospheric style. I want you to have a map that readers won't look at because they have to, but because they can't help it. If you want a map that is handcrafted with care and love for your story, not just a few generic stamps or something churned out of a generator, you are in the right place. 

 

Medieval Map of Brynmor. An island in the Eifion archipelago.
Get your custom quote

I create custom fantasy and medieval-style maps primarily for authors. Each map is handmade and tailored to your specific world—whether historic, fantastical, or somewhere in between. I work primarily in Procreate and can offer a wide range of styles, from the historic examples found in early maps of Europe to the classic Tolkien style. Occasionally I work with ink and paper and then transform the piece into a digital copy, though this costs significantly more.

My maps are formatted to fit perfectly into your paperback and hardback books, as well as ebooks, and I can deliver almost any file type and size you need.

I have worked for over 90 happy clients and will work in close communication with you from the first sketch to the finished map, so that what you receive accurately reflects your vision.

 

How it works

 

  1. Reach out
    Send a short description of your world, any sketches or notes you already have, the style you’re aiming for, and your preferred timeline. You can use the form below or email me directly.
  2. Custom quote
    I review the details, ask any clarifying questions, and send a written quote that covers scope, style, timeline, revision limits, and total price. The published packages are only starting points—most maps are quoted custom to fit the specific project.
  3. Deposit and start
    Once you approve the quote, a 50% deposit secures the project and places it on my schedule. Work begins after the deposit is received.
  4. Sketch and development
    I create an initial sketch for your feedback, then continue refining the map with you until it matches your vision. These iterations are not considered revisions.
  5. Final delivery and balance
    When the map is approved, you pay the remaining 50%. High-resolution, print-ready files (and source files if included) are released as soon as the balance clears.

Payment terms

Payment is handled privately by PayPal or another third part vendor. A 50% deposit of the agreed custom price is required before detailed work begins. The remaining balance is due on final approval, at which point the finished files are delivered. Commercial use rights for your novel and related marketing are always included. Final files and source files (when applicable) transfer after full payment.

 

what's included

 

 

Typical projects include:

  • High-resolution files suitable for print and digital use
  • Commercial use rights for your novel, marketing, and related materials
  • Formatting appropriate for paperback, hardback, or ebook interiors
  • Revisions as needed to get the map right

Please reach out before we begin so we can make sure you get the best product and pricing for your specific project.

Pricing

These package prices are a starting point and may vary depending on the size, complexity, and specific details of your project (extra hand-drawn elements such as dragons, monsters, highly detailed cities, etc. will increase both cost and time). Please reach out before ordering so we can make sure the final price and timeline fit your map perfectly.

Basic — $115
Fantasy map of your story world
Map of one country or region with minimal details, needed labels, and dots for locations with terrain.

Standard — $190
Fantasy map of your story world
More details, individual location icons, compass rose, scale, banners, torn edges, and borders.

Premium — $250
Fantasy map of your story world
Unlimited revisions, extensive details, and pretty much whatever you want to include.

Feature Basic Standard Premium
Source file ✓
High resolution ✓ ✓ ✓
Color ✓ ✓ ✓
Commercial use ✓ ✓ ✓
Revisions 3 4 Unlimited
Delivery time 10 days 14 days 21 days
(5 days +$20) (5 days +$50) (5 days +$100)
Total $115 $190 $250

 

Portfolio

Here are samples of maps I have created for authors and other clients. Each one was made specifically for its story world.

Fantasy map
Map of Medieval Wales
Fantasy map
Fantasy map of Dorgan
Fantasy map of the great divide basin in wyoming.

Client Testimonials

“Carter was great to work with. He paid attention to detail and understood what kind of world my novel needed… Most of all, I love the map! It’s going to look great at the beginning of my novel.”

— Fantasy author, United Kingdom

“Thank you so much for the map you created, it matched my brief and expectations perfectly for my dark fantasy novel. Quick to respond and collaborative during the process.”

— Indie fantasy author, Austria

“This is the first time I’ve ever commissioned someone on Fiverr… Carter helped me every step of the way. He answered all of my questions before I even made the payment.”

— First-time client, Canada

“I had a very unique type of challenge for my world… Mr. Phillips helped me figure it out and went through quite a lot of revision and testing ideas.”

— Fantasy author, United States

 

“Carter did a great job at bringing my idea to life… He designed exactly what we sent over, and was very fast with communication and delivery. Highly recommend!”

— Client, United States

You can read all 90+ five-star reviews here:

Fiver reviews

F. A. Q.

I specialize in fantasy and medieval-style maps for novels, but I can also create more purely historical or real-world maps in a medieval aesthetic, as well as property maps. city maps, and other designs/artwork

Historic early-European map styles, classic Tolkien-inspired maps, and custom variations in between. Pretty much whatever you want. We can discuss references so the finished piece matches the tone of your story.

Yes. Commercial use for your novel and related marketing is included in every order.  I retain no rights other than usage In my portfolio. 

Usually around two weeks, though It depends on complexity. Simpler maps are faster; highly detailed worlds with many custom elements take longer. I’ll give you a realistic timeline once we discuss the project, and if you need a rush order we can negotiate a price. 

No. A rough sketch, a written description, or even just a list of places and features is enough to begin. I prefer rough sketches to ensure I match your vision but can work off of whatever you have. 

High-resolution PNG, JPEG, and PDF suitable for print and digital use. I can also provide additional formats and source files as needed.

No. Packages are starting points only. Most clients receive a custom quote based on the specific details of their world and the level of complexity required.

A 50% deposit of the agreed quote is required to begin. The remaining balance is paid on final approval before the finished files are released.

Yes. If at anytime before the order's final approval you feel that the map is not going in the direction you want, or you are not satisfied with my service, you can verbally cancel and I will refund the deposit. However, after the final files are approved, I can no longer refund the deposit or final payment.

Start your custom map!

Get your custom quote