Looking for Help with Prequel Fantasy Novella (Editing & Cover Design)

Hello everyone,

I’m currently about halfway through the first draft of a novella that serves as the prequel to my fantasy trilogy. My plan is to offer it for free to introduce readers to the world and characters, but I need it to be edited and to have a professional-quality cover before release.

Here’s where I could use some help: having just invested all my savings into bringing my debut children’s picture book, Good Pixie Bad Pixie (and its Spanish edition Pixie Buena Pixie Mala), to market, I don’t currently have the budget to hire an editor and designer at full rates.

I’m looking for:

• An editor who might be open to working in exchange for credit and/or delayed payment.

• A cover designer who might be willing to do the same.

I want to be clear: I won’t be making any money from the novella. It’s going to be my free reader magnet, but I want it to shine because it’s the foundation for the trilogy. If you’re open to collaborating on this, please know that when the trilogy is ready, I fully intend to hire and pay professionals properly, so this could lead to future paid work together.

Thank you so much for considering, and for any advice or connections you can share.

Warmly,
Simona