I have been creating images for a number of years. Only recently started to promote myself. I am achieving a great following, since in the last few months of promoting i have now created 8 cover images, mostly for digital Ebook covers and one full print cover.
I use 3d imaging, with the program called Daz studio. Once i have rendered the images i need, i take these into other art programs like psp12, ps-cs3, vue 7, painter x for the final touches of the whole image.
I like to work very closely with the Author, it helps if the Author has an idea of what type of image they want, it is usually a special scene in the novel, i then do my best everytime to create that image.
It's always nice to allow the Author 'sneek peeks' just to make sure the image is going how they like it. I am always willing to listen to the Author, changing details as we go along.
As for fees, i like to ask the Author what their budget may be for the cover they require, i then work this out as best i can and see if the payable amount is acceptable to the amount of work i would be doing. So i would say the fee would be Project dependent and i am willing to negotiate.