Hi. My name is Alexis. I'm a fantasy mapmaker and cartographer.
You know those cool maps you see at the front of fantasy books? Or those vintage-looking maps hanging on your friend's wall? That's what I create!
What Tools Do I Use?
Software
I use Adobe Illustrator with an installed brush pack to illustrate my maps. I create them in layers, starting with the exterior borders and working my way into closer and closer details.
Drawing Tablet
I use the XP-Pen Artist 15.6 Pro Graphics Drawing Tablet and I love it. It stays plugged into my computer and it's stuck to an on-desk setup, which works for me, but might not be the best option for everybody.
Selling Platforms
I used to primarily sell my maps on Etsy, but with their skyrocketing fees, lack of seller support and worsening policies, I have shifted my attention to hosting my own website. I use Wix for my website, and it works fairly well, although it's a challenge starting out and trying to reach new customers. The internet is a big place!
Email List
I use Mailchimp for my monthly newsletters. Those newsletters are where I send my followers discounts, coupons, giveaway announcements and sometimes, free downloads! Mailchimp is fairly useful for a small audience, but as soon as you reach more than 500 people it's no longer free (very few things are nowadays). It's expensive running a small business!
P.S. You can sign up for my newsletter here.
Social Media
My primary focus is on Instagram, but I am also occasionally present on Twitter and TikTok. All of my social channels are posted on my Linktree.
What's the Hardest Part About Fantasy Cartography?
Honestly? Spellchecking!
I'm a recovering English Major, so you'd think I would be immune to typos, but YOU try writing out wacky fantasy names and see if you don't need to triple-check them to make sure you've added the appropriate apostrophes.
The second most difficult part is getting audience reach, as with anything. It's slow going (Unless you're an impressive influencer, which I am not).
How Can I Get Started Making Fantasy Maps?
I have a few blogs on this very topic! Check them out:
About Me As a Human Person
I was born and raised in Alberta, Canada, on a farm in the middle of nowhere, where the winters could get as cold as minus forty celcius (sometimes colder with windchill). From a young age, I always loved crafting and writing stories.
When I was seventeen, I moved south and went to the University of Lethbridge for a degree in English Literature. After graduating, I got married to my wonderful spouse. We lived in Lethbridge together for five years with our cat Pippin before moving to the Netherlands.
We lived in the Netherlands for three years, enduring the pandemic whilst I wrote my fantasy books and drew maps and my spouse did space stuff. Then, we moved to Wales in the UK, where we have lived for the past two-and-a-half years.
I have too many hobbies to list them all, but among the major ones are reading, writing, crocheting, and playing D&D.
We now have a cat named Navi, we travel when we can, and we enjoy every castle Wales has to offer.
THE END!
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