Being an author is in some ways like entering a lucky dip contest. I'm talking covers of course. Those wonderful glossy images that attract readers to our stories and, hopefully, persuade them to pick up the paperback or click on the link to buy.
Many readers don't know that authors don't usually design their covers. Finding a new cover for an upcoming book on a bookstore site, or being sent it by a helpful member of editorial staff is the point where I hold my breath, cross my fingers and toes and hope for great things. I have to say I've been extremely lucky. Some of my covers are stunning. Some fit the story perfectly. Others make me wonder. Occasionally a reader will comment on hair colour or looks of a character on the cover as opposed to what they read in the book. But you can't have everything.
For quite a few books I had no input to the cover at all. More recently I've been asked to provide some suggested scenes which might be used on a cover. Occasionally I get something that matches the scene. Other times not. Here are a selection.
The exotic and mysterious. With a location shot as well!
The very, very basic. Argh!
The downright confusing.
On the bed.
In the sunken bath.
In/on the swimming pool.
The location shot.
The hero shot. And no, I don't know why he has worry beads when he's an English businessman.
The baby bulge.
The embrace.
After years waiting to see what the cover gods had in store for me, it was an exciting and slightly anxious time when I finally got to choose my own cover. I'm publishing a novella next month (BACK IN THE ITALIAN'S BED is out on Friday 2nd May if you're interested) and this time I worked with a designer to choose what I wanted, from the picture to the wording and layout. Should I go for a clinch cover, something very sexy, or something tantalising? Should I have bold colours and a location shot? It was potentially daunting till a friend on Facebook found the perfect photo (at least I think it is).
I admit the power to decide my own cover was fantastic! On the negative side, I could see myself spending ages browsing for photos and ruminating on script and design if I had to do it too often. But the cover suits the story and it makes me smile, so hopefully that's a plus with readers too.
So, if you had the power to create your ultimate book cover, what would it feature? Brooding landscape with a gothic theme? Bare abs? A tantalising close up? A bedroom scene? Something restrained? Something dynamic and bold?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. They may help me next time I wield the power over my own cover!
Oh Annie
ReplyDeleteI do love this cover and can't wait to read it :) and I am probably not going to be any help sorry because I kinda like most covers and what type for me depends on the story line of course there are alwyas covers that will jump out and some not so but if the cover suits the title then I read the blurb then I am in :)
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, you're a heaven sent book buyer in that case. Sounds like there are lots and lots of covers that would appeal. That's what I found - it's hard to choose one type that is a favourite. I do have several types that I'm not keen on but I'd rather dwell on the positive (most of the time! There is occasional gnashing of teeth).
DeleteAnnie, I love that top cover for 'Girl in a Bedouin Tent', loathe the hero shot with the worry beads (is he supposed to be sexy?!), and I think your novella cover for 'Back in the Italian's Bed' is perfect. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to find your own cover. I think my fave cover (for my stories) would be a couple casually dressed in jeans, leaning against each other, laughing (with her glancing up at him and him glancing down at her). That said, I love that there's such a variety in cover world. I can't wait to read your novella!
Michelle, that's interesting about your favourite cover. Some of the ones I've liked best have had real intensity between the couple. That always speaks to me more than anything else.
DeleteIsn't the cover for 'Girl in the Bedouin Tent' great? The Aussie version of that won an award. As for the guy with the worry beads - he's not my cup of tea. I think of him as my demon princeling and really, I could imagine horns. But he's got an air of self satisfaction about trouble about him that fit the story and I know some readers love him.
So glad you like the cover for the novella! yay! Did I say already how chuffed I am with the look of it?
Great cover, Annie. Is that Venice I see in the background - one of my all time favourite cities!!
ReplyDeleteThe sales of my books all seem to relate to one thing on the cover - how hot my hero is. My latest cover has the hottest guy and thus the hottest sales!
Isn't Venice a great place, Jenn? So atmospheric!
DeleteHow interesting about the heat meter on your hero equating to sales. I can't say that's been the case with mine so far but who knows what the future will bring? I could have got with the bare ab look but I so loved this one that seemed to capture the essence of the story.
I think your novella cover is the best of the lot. It's beautiful! Good luck with its upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteThat hero with the worry beads looks more like a gangster than a business man!
Oh, Claire, thanks for the vote of confidence!
DeleteLaughing at the gangster. Maybe there's an idea in there for a story.
Wonderful smooch on your gorgeous cover, Annie! Love it! Great job for your first foray into design! So... marking 2 May as your release date on my calendar!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to see some of the covers that have been designed for you books - some of them are absolutely smashing! Girl in a Bedouin Tent is fabulous with those vibrant colours. But the one with the furniture and no people... yeah, confusing!
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm glad you like the smooch cover. I'm really chuffed about it, and both excited and nervous about the novella coming out.
Isn't it interesting, seeing a range of covers? Some of the foreign language editions have been gorgeous. My least favourite ones have been the plain colours and text without the pics.
Annie, what fun to see so many of your covers lined up like that. You really have had some beauties. Love in particular GIRL IN THE BEDOUIN TENT and IMPRISONED BY A VOW. I think both of those are stunning. And congratulations on your new novella! Love the cover - think that cover is so atmospheric! By the way, I don't think they're worry beads, I think they're meant to be black pearls. Or perhaps I just wish someone would GIVE me some black pearls!
ReplyDeleteAnna, that's you and me both, wishing for black pearls. The necklace Leila wears in Imprisoned by a Vow has black pearls and I'm sure I wrote that because I wanted some for myself!
DeleteYes, I've been very lucky with some of the covers, haven't I? Still, it's such fun to have the power to control the cover yourself for a change.
My brain is still ???????? on that one with the furniture shot. Otherwise, I'm with Anna - love the Girl in the Bedouin Tent and Imprisoned by a Vow. And your new one too - hot kiss and glorious Venice in the background...perfect.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to my covers, it's too early to say. I've only had 2 novels out, and both the covers feature mostly my heroine. I do like them for their brooding, dark feel - relevant to both books. I would like to see a hot guy on the cover - I think Jen is right there. Some nice pecs, abs and good shoulders and a brooding look (but not like the guy with the worry beeds, gangster indeed, LOL) certainly seem to draw many readers to pick up that book. But overall, I think anything that is a true reflection of my books will always be good.
Leisl, that Korean cover had me stumped. On the upside it's absolutely gorgeous when you open it, even down to the quality of the paper which is like cream. I've got another Korean cover which is a collection of tea light candles in the dark and I really like it, though I don't know what it has to do with the story.
DeleteI suspect you're right about the most important thing being that it relates to the story (and that it's appealing)!
Friday 2nd May! Check! So excited about your Back in the Italian's Bed, Annie, and loving the cover. Isn't it so lovely to have some input and control rather than waiting to see what kind of mood the cover gods are in? Have to say, I love "For the Sheikh's Pleasure" though - because the cover pic kind of suggests it's going to be her pleasure, and I do love that :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your novella's upcoming release. Can't wait!
Trishx
Trish, I agree, it's so wonderful to have input to the cover. No nail biting waits and no moments of wondering what happened (G)!
ReplyDeleteThank you - I'm excited too. I know you understand exactly how I feel about Back in the Italian's Bed.
You're so right about the Sheikh's Pleasure. Definitely it was hers too. Ah, that Arik knows how to show a girl a good time!
Annie I freaking love that novella cover!! Love it! And, like Jen, Venice is one of my fav places in the world so already you have me :-) Just skipped across to Amazon to pre-order but noticed its not up yet :-(
ReplyDeleteCovers.....sheesh.... so many awful or meh ones. A couple that I really love. I love when a cover captures the essence of the story. Which doesn't really happen that often.... I think Driving Her Crazy was the one book that seemed blessed by the cover fairies in every incantation.
Ah, sorry to disappoint, Amy. It will hopefully be loaded soon. I'm wearing a huge grin knowing you like it so much.
DeleteYes, Driving Her Crazy was a corker. So disappointing when the cover doesn't live up to what you'd hoped for, but when they come through - fabulous!
I love your novella cover, Annie! It's simply perfect! I must admit that when I first looked at this blog I skimmed the pictures (I'm a visual person I think!) and wondered if they were all for the same story! LOL! It's fascinating to see what the cover gods come up with, isn't it. Fascinating, but not always…logical!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what my ultimate cover would be- but it would definitely have popping colours like yours, a couple, and …hawt!
Louisa, I'm a visual person too. Actually that would make an interesting post - the variations on a book cover from location to location.
DeleteFunny how we talk about the 'cover gods', isn't it? It's like that, waiting for the cover to arrive.
Chuffed that you like the cover.
Love the cover for Back in the Italian's Bed, Annie. That's the kind of cover I'd like to have on my books. Instead I get stethoscopes or babies even when the so called baby is five.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteLaughing at the 5 year old baby. Obviously babies sell stories! And perhaps stethoscopes do too? Glad you like my new cover, Sue. I confess I don't tire of looking at it.
I'd have a cover just like the one you chose, Annie! I love that it's sexy but subtle at the same time.Thanks so much for showing us a selection of your covers.
ReplyDelete