In reply to Seeking a designer for my book, Typophile. :
> with no images in the manuscript itself
I would think that some photos of your wife's injuries and her recover would be very appropriate and would add to the book's impact, especially if placed near the text describing those events.
> for both print publishing ...[and] eBook
Make sure that the portfolios of the designers you talk to include examples of both print books and ebooks that they've designed. Ask for references so you can contact some of their previous clients to ask how the jobs went. Be sure your contract includes at least a general timeframe.
And be aware that most design jobs go through several rounds of revisions, which may be additional charges unless the original estimate includes a certain number of rounds of revisions.
