Welcome, I'm a newbie and writing my first book too. There are some really good tutorials, and even if you don't follow them to the letter and only use part of the guidance there, you can start coming out with good looking maps. I have a work in progress at the minute, which so far I'm really happy with. There are a couple of changes I want to make following some excellent comments and guidance, but I've achieved about 10 times more than I thought I'd be able to.

Of course, if you do want someone else to do your map for you, I've got to say you couldn't be in a better place, there is some real talent here.

Tyo