Louisa Cornell, ladydawgfan, KateS and Kelly Ryan are the winners of Fun Contest Saturday!
Lori Austin's (aka Lori Handeland) An Outlaw in Wonderland has been named one of Publisher Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013!!
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
Sign up for our newsletter by filling out the JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER form in the right column of this page!
I’m often asked how I create the covers for my books. As many of you know the author doesn’t create them, the publisher does. The author’s input can go from nothing at all (the cover shows up in the mail, or e-mail these days) to cover approval, which means the cover must be approved by the author before it goes on the book. In the latter case, the publisher usually tries to get the author involved from the beginning.
Some publishers have cover art forms. They can be anywhere from 10 plus pages long to a page. I’ve been asked to write a paragraph description about each main character or to send pictures of settings, models and other covers I’ve seen that have a similar style or theme to my book. Once the publisher even sent modeling composites and let me pick the models we would use on the cover. That was fun.
What happens most often these days is I’m sent an early version of the cover, after I’ve sent ideas or descriptions, then I get to tweak. My agent gets involved. Sometimes the final product is far from the original. The most obvious example of this was for the cover of my Nightcreature Novel, MIDNIGHT MOON.
The first pass of the cover looked like this:
I said, hmmm. Historical? Not really. My agent’s assistant sent some suggestions.
One had a more contemporary look.
I liked this one a lot. I received a cover flat of this instead.
This appeared in the Doubleday Book Club catalog.
Which was minutely better than this:
In the meantime, I pointed out that the book takes place in the jungle. There is no beach. My editor asked if I could add a beach. Hmm.
I do so with a pretty darn good dream sequence that begins like this:
Last night I dreamed of the beach in Haiti. The rolling waves, the smooth, warm sand, turned white beneath the light of a glistening silver moon. The dream continues to haunt me because on that beach I said goodbye to everything I’d been and welcomed the woman I would become.
Then I received another cover flat. They’d decided the book was a “jungle” book after all.
But what about my fabulous beach sequence? My editor agreed that the beach prologue was too good to lose, so it stayed. So did this cover, though I wasn’t sure up until the books came to my door what, exactly, might appear.
And there you have the birth of a cover. Thankfully most deliveries are not this excruciating.
Does it bother you if a cover doesn’t match the book, or does it just need to be appealing? Do you prefer concept covers (landscapes, flowers, beaches or jungles) to people covers or vice versa? Beach book or jungle book?
And in a completely random aside, my alter ego, Lori Austin is giving away a free download of the first book in the Rock Creek Six series, REESE. Just go to:
http://tinyurl.com/7sozgtg
Sometimes the covers are annoying.
Sometimes I wonder what the title has to do with the story.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:13 am.
Sometimes nothing.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:57 am.
I love cover art, if it is good I don’t care if there are people or not. I do however want the cover to be indicative of the contents.I had some covers I really loved, the original cover of Tender Is The Storm by Johanna Lindsay.First time there was a beautiful male butt on a cover, next printing they obscured the buns.I always loved Bob McGinnis’ work; his women were always beautiful but guys not so much, spectacular bodies though. Alan Kass, Walter Popp & Elaine Duillo were great also; she really loved using Fabio for her heroes.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:32 am.
Some of the older covers are gorgeous.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:58 am.
You know, I’m not really bothered about the covers of books. I have taken to heart the old adage of never judging a book by its cover.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 4:55 am.
How true.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:58 am.
I loved that story. It is always interesting to me to hear an authors writing process, or in this case, cover process. I have to admit, if I’m looking for something new most times its the cover that catches my eye. Then I’ll pick it up and read the info. I like for the cover to at least be close to the story. I like landscape covers, but that’s because I’m a landscape person! Again, as long as its close to the story. I like how you tied in beach with jungle. So dang creative!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:56 am.
I was pretty proud of myself for that too!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:58 am.
I like the covers to match both the character’s description in the book and the story’s location.
I prefer people on the cover to inanimate objects. I’m not a fan of pets on the cover or babies.
I’m unable to get to your free copy of REESE via http://tinyurl.com/7sozgtg ????
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:44 am.
I’m always confused when the cover doesn’t match the story too.
When you hit the link you have to fill out the form and a code and URL will be sent to you by email.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:59 am.
What a process! How do you keep your cool when it’s clear the art dept isn’t even referencing a summary of the book? And having to reframe your work to accommodate the design – tail wagging the dog. Unless the tell you beaches equals better sales.
since going to e readers, I rarely remember the title of what I’m reading – so the cover doesn’t stand much of a chance of sticking with me.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:03 am.
Agreed! I rarely remember the title anymore–just the author. Which got me in to trouble last week, when I bought the same dang book twice within a matter of months!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:53 am.
Done that too, Haley. Especially now that I have an ereader.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:17 am.
That happens to me with the ereader too, Fresh. Sometimes I have to hit the info button to get the title or I’m lost.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:00 am.
It upsets me when the covers don’t match the story. The cover is a blonde wearing a red dress and the story’s heroine is a red dress wearing a green dress. It makes you wonder why the author was asked the details if they aren’t going to read them.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:12 am.
I never even got to the part where the first cover had long white hair and the heroine of the book has short dark hair with a white streak . . .
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:02 am.
Morning Lori! Honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to covers anymore. They distract me (mainly because they are so far off from what someone looks like, or a scene in the story). If I do take a look at the cover, the ones without naked people tend to appeal to me more.
Not that I mind naked men…I just like me to be the only one seeing him at that time.
Beach book–although the jungle has it’s appeal too!
Have a good day!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:52 am.
I’m usually draw in to a cover if it’s a new author I guess. Otherwise it doesn’t matter.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:03 am.
Thanks for sharing your process. It sounds like it can be very frustrating at times. If I were an author, I think I would have a hard time letting someone else pick the cover of my book.
I don’t usually pay attention to covers, but sometimes I will buy a new author by the cover art on the book. If it’s bright and pretty, it usually grabs my attention. It does rub me the wrong way when the discription of the Hero or heroine doesn’t match the stills on the cover. I have also read books where the title didn’t really match the story. It was like they took popular words and put them in the title to draw readers. In this instance it was the word Rake, but the hero was no where close to being a rake.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:20 am.
Sometimes I wonder if there’s a list of great “words” that can be put together to form a “great” title.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:31 am.
I love book covers where the hero/heroine are together on the cover.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:22 am.
Some of them can be very appealing.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:33 am.
For me, if it’s an author that I already like and I’m planning to read anyway, the cover doesn’t really matter. However, if it’s an author that I’m unfamiliar with, if the cover grabs me, I’ll pick it up to see what it’s about. I’m currently reading The Last Mermaid by Shana Abe, and the reason I picked it up is because of the beautiful cover. I had never even heard of her before, but so far I like her writing style and will likely read more of her books since she blends fantasy and romance so well…all because I liked the cover first and picked it up.
I like concept and models. Nora Roberts has had some beautiful concept covers lately with her recent trilogies and quartets. The bridal series was gorgeous and I’m loving the Inn Boonsboro series covers right now, also. I have to say though, I love her stories so much, they could be in a plain brown cover with the name of the book and ‘by Nora Roberts’ written in Sharpie, and I’d buy them.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:29 am.
I’m the same way with authors I love. The only reason I look at the cover is to make sure it’s a new book and not one I already have. Otherwise, doesn’t matter.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:34 am.
Oh, I’ve been suckered by that on occasion…I’ve bought several different books that I would swear I’ve never read, then get home and realize I do have it, it just has a different cover.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:41 am.
It really depends. If the cover is so far off of what the book is like or what the characters are like then I get annoyed. Sometimes the cover is actually what grabs my attention (If I’m actually IN a real life book store that is). I’m currently reading a book that is a series with the same main character. The fist 2 books they did a great job matching the cover to the character. I’m on the 3rd one now and they changed the cover model and the new model doesn’t have the right hairstyle, hair color or anything. The ONLY thing they have right is the outfit. I find that REALLY annoying.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:42 am.
When I’m actually IN a bookstore–hardly ever these days, so sad-I spend a lot of time looking at covers. That’s fun.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:06 am.
I love the first couple of versions of that cover, but the final is pretty good ,too.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:59 am.
Thanks, Barbara. By the time I was done I didn’t know what I liked any more.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:06 am.
Covers for me are similar to porn – you know it when you see it. I can’t tell you what draws me in. I have been staring at the “on the shelf” covers on TGB and they all have that special something. I think it might be the more intense colors. I enjoy all types of covers with or without people on them. The final cover for MIDNIGHT MOON is my favorite of those shown.
I can say for sure that I do want the cover to reflect the tone of the book. I am half way through Susan’s BAREFOOT SEASON and due to the cover colors I expected a lighter beach read. It is so much more than that. The character development and pain aren’t adequately reflected in that bright happy cover. Don’t ask me what should be there.
Very interesting topic for our Friday!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:25 am.
I like intense colors too.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:31 am.
I did like the beach one, in the gray and the blue, and I like the jungle one. I’m not fond of the red or purple! And I do like concept covers. I think covers that just have the title and author name and maybe a flower or something, are fairly boring. They don’t grab me. I like historicals, they have fun and bold colors lately. Especially Avon. Their covers are very striking, although sometimes the color can be a bit much when it’s ALL blue or pink or yellow. But, it does catch the eye.
And yes, it drives me slightly bonkers when there is a black haired hero on the cover and I start reading and the hero is blond! OMG, that just kills me. I don’t know why it bugs me so much, but it’s very distracting.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:26 am.
I’ve heard that blond is a hard color to do on covers. Though I’ve had a few blond hero covers and they aren’t too bad.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:32 am.
Sheeze! That’s enough to make your head spin. I can’t believe that had you go back and write a beach scene to match the cover.
I personally like people on the covers. It doesn’t even need to show the whole person – a nicely sculptured chest will do nicely.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:31 am.
My head was spinning that’s for sure.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:33 am.
It does bother me when the cover doesn’t match the book. I used to absolutely hate buying a book that showed a pirate looking hero with a blonde in an embrace and then the story is about some Duke with a brunette. Uh…no…I want my pirate and the blonde? Where did they go? I was like Christmas morning all over when your mom reused the boxes from the year before so instead of getting the expensive gift, you open it and inside is some cheap stuffed animal. Though…I am no longer all that interested in covers since I have my kindle. I find so long as the cover suggests “Historical Romance” or “Contemporary Romance” and NOT erotica, I’m okay…though I have been burned a few times with those nicy, pleasant covers only to find the pages burning beneath!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:50 am.
It’s like a broken promise, isn’t it?
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:58 am.
I have a lot of opinions about the various kinds of covers out there in the marketplace. I hate the trend intensiveness of it all. I have always had input in mine, but no real control, and while for the most part I have been either happy or okay with them, at times I have not. I have also never filled out a form like you did, although my editors did I think. I have sometimes sent pics and links to “help” and that may have avoided some really outrageously wrong details, but I’m not sure. Only twice have I really fought for a change in a cover. It is one of those “pick your battles” situations, I have concluded. I do think the basics should be accurate—no blonde heroine if in the book she has raven locks.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:18 am.
Sometimes you wonder what the art dept is getting for info. I think sending pics is probably the best bet.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:28 am.
Madeline- Your Rarest Blooms covers were gorgeous. 4 of my favourites.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:40 am.
I like the cover to at least reflect a little bit of what the book is about so if it’s a romance – then I would like to see cover models that at least match the hero/heroines general description (Like if the character is blond – then I really would like a blond cover model on the cover). If there is a lot of action in the book then I would like an action type cover for it too….
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:22 am.
It’s interesting how one little thing can change an entire cover. Once for my urban fantasy series they had the heroine just standing there. I had them add a knife. Changed the whole thing.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:29 am.
I don’t care for romance book covers that I would be embarrassed to read in the presence of my very prudish MIL.
Now, if a panting semi-naked couple is depicted entwined on a book’s inner flap I might spare a glance or 2, depending on the artist’s talent, but it has no bearing at all on my choices.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:44 am.
That’s what nice about an e-reader . . . No blazing pecs and abs and . . . for the world to see.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:09 am.
Ah, Lori, your post made me giggle. I think you’ve had some marvelous covers. But the entire process (coming from an author and a graphic designer–that’s me) is frustrating. If you look at the covers of my books you would think they are about cats and puppies. Yes, they are cute. And yes, they do convey an animal character in the story. But there isn’t a human in sight on the covers. I’m starting a new series and I’m praying to the cover god for something maybe just a little hotter. And I don’t mean a fire ant!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:55 am.
Ah, yes, the cover gods. They don’t listen very well.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:10 am.
Thanks for the laugh. This is soooo how the process works. I’ve been asked to add a dog to the book because “dogs on covers are selling.” I’ve have covers come to me with women in wedding dresses. I point out that there isn’t a wedding in the book. The response, “Bride covers are selling.”
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:09 am.
I had a friend who received a cover with a dog on it who pointed out there was no dog. She was asked to add one. She added a dead one. As in, the heroine’s dog had died and she was very sad about it. I thought that was priceless.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:12 am.
Ha! That’s brilliant. Funny how marketing = manipulation.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:46 pm.
I like covers that are good.. designed well, easy to read, fits the mood. I have liked all types of covers.. and turned my nose up at all types as well.
I love illustrated covers, though they are not terribly common. Rachel Gibson had a lot of fun covers years ago. Shanna Swendson also has great illustrated covers.
I think it’s the bright colors – they look happy
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 12:57 pm.
I think you’re right.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 1:19 pm.
I think its annoying when the cover doesn’t match the story. Although I don’t buy books based on their covers. I like people covers without the face
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 1:25 pm.
Me too! Wait until you see my western cover! Best no head cover EVER.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:56 pm.
It is irritating when a cover has little relevance to the story. I recall one where it was central to the story that the heroine was a redhead; on the cover was a blonde…
I’ve stopped worrying about it. Now I glance at the cover and the clothes to see if it’s historical / contemporary / paranormal / etc. If it’s not what I’m looking for I don’t even read the plot summary on the back. (Life is too short).
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 1:39 pm.
I’ve had some that looked historical and weren’t and vice versa. See above.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:57 pm.
Lori, I can SO sympathize. I once wrote a book where the heroine made a big point of saying she hated wearing pink because it made her feel like a big, fat cherub. I made a note of that when the publisher requested cover ideas. Then I get the cover flat. Yep, the heroine’s in a big pink dress. Sigh.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 1:59 pm.
But of course . . .
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:57 pm.
Oh, yeah, it bugs me when the cover and the content don’t match. I keep reading, waiting for the scene on the cover to appear. A good cover is So Important! Some covers pull you in and others leave you cold. A book seems better when it has a good cover!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
I’m trying to think of a book I wrote where there was actually a scene from it on the cover.
Once! The Farmer’s Wife. Loved that cover!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:58 pm.
Hmm, the birth of cover looks to be painful and frustrating. It’s like my dh’s job of making an animated feature – 3-5 years, tons of screenings, input, story changes, and frequently director changes. It’s crazy, but the process makes for great stories.
Personally, I find it distracting when the covers don’t match the story. With one particular story I remember reading about the hero’s black, black hair, and flipping back to the cover where the hero has a head of beautiful blond hair. It doesn’t work for me. With an e-reader, now, I don’t really notice the covers and definitely not the titles.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:17 pm.
I can’t imagine all the work it takes to do an animated movie. Very cool.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:00 pm.
For me, the answer is a resounding YES!
Many moons ago, an author I enjoyed wrote a medieval series. I loved the first two book and anxiously awaited the third. While waiting, another of her books graced the shelves, but I wanted to finish the series, and this book showed a woman’s lower body, calf-length dress, strappy sandals in hand as she walked a beach. Circa 1940s, I thought, and passed it by—again, and again, and again.
When I finally picked it up and read the blurb, I cussed. I bought the book because I really wanted to finish the series, but I didn’t buy that author again for years. (This was before the internet became a major presence, and I learned a great deal more about the process.)
These days, the cover may not have the import it enjoyed during the “browse the shelves” era, but it’s still the first thing you see. First impressions are lasting impressions.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:23 pm.
And that author probably had a stroke when she saw it.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:01 pm.
For me the cover is the draw to the book. It gives me a snapshot of what the book is about. If it doesn’t fit the story I get annoyed. I’m VERY visual as I am an artist/crafter by gifting. I remember books by their cover and story. Also I’m very author loyal so after I’m sold on an author it’s not so discordant if they don’t match although I’m disappointed in the publisher (I know most authors have very little or no say in the covers). If it’s a new author to me the cover is the FIRST DRAW. I am specific in what kind of story appeals to me and it has to be a BIG DRAW to get me to add to my author list (I follow over 150 authors). If the cover doesn’t fit or is unappealing I won’t pick up the book therefore will never buy it.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:54 pm.
I’m the same way about the cover and story, can never remember titles. So I’ll say “the orange book that was about the war vet who etc etc etc”
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:02 pm.
I really love the way the two Os interlock! I’m glad they kept that part in every incarnation of your cover! Very cool. The font is super, too!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:11 pm.
I always liked the interlocked Os too. I just noticed that they didn’t do that on the last three covers in the series. Hmmm.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 3:39 pm.
I love covers and cover art. I always have. Before the internet, Amazon and e-readers, I browsed bookstores by looking at all the cover art. I also like to read fantasy and sci-fi and some of my very favorite pieces of artwork (some still hanging on my wall to this day) are paintings that were done for fantasy or sci-fi book covers.
Even now, with my Kindle and Amazon, if I buy it from Amazon, I look at the cover. I even click the image to make it bigger so that I can look at it more! If I don’t like the cover, I won’t even consider buying it. Heck, I won’t download a free book if I don’t like the cover.
And by don’t like the cover, I mean… if the photoshop job is amateur, if the color design or composition is bad, if it’s boring, if the font looks stupid… Anything. But to be fair, I spent several years as a web and graphic designer, so that should explain that!
And yes, I hate when the cover doesn’t match the story. I think that it is entirely possible for publishers and their art departments to create fantastic, visually stimulating covers that will sell a book that ALSO include aspects of the story. It’s not that hard. Fantasy books do it all the time. Romance books should have them, too!
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 4:27 pm.
I have one piece of artwork from one of my earlier books that is gorgeous. I still haven’t gotten it framed though. Sigh.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:02 pm.
WOW Lori! I have never had that many cover versions! I love the final version. Isn’t it amazing how much goes into a cover?
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 4:51 pm.
And I didn’t even share all of them because I thought my head might explode.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:02 pm.
Just be glad your hero doesn’t look bald.
Just sayin’.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:31 pm.
Snort. Mm-hmm.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:53 pm.
It SO bothers me when a cover doesn’t match up with the book. Though I DO admit, if it is appealing, I can (most of the time) get over the mismatched cover.
I usually prefer the concept covers, though some of the people covers are HOTT. I do think that showing anything below the head is a good cover. Though I guess, usually a combination of the people and concept covers would make a great cover for a book.
That also pertains to a beach/jungle book. I think a combination of some water and the jungle makes a great cover.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:41 pm.
Yes! Jungle and beach. Perfect.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:54 pm.
It bothers me if the cover has absolutely nothing to do with the characters. She was a raven haired beauty on the cover, and a titian goddess inside…what the????
And bless their little hearts, can we just discuss the self enterprising best selling author who had a fight with her publisher and now does ebooks and well…her heroes on the covers are badly rendered and no matter how good the book is the cover makes me cringe and feel bad for the book, and the characters in it. So I look away, and don’t read the book….
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 5:52 pm.
Gotta get good covers. I had some of my ebooks redone because they just weren’t right.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 6:55 pm.
I prefer it if the cover matches the book. It actually bothers me when the people on the covers have different hair colour, etc. than described in the book.
I like the covers that have a landscape or estate picture on the front, but they have the front flap revealing a risque picture on the inside flap… or what I like to call the “second–fun–front cover”.
I find that I’m less inclined to read in public if the book I’m reading has a half-undressed couple on the front. I still enjoy the book, mind you, but those would be reserved for home reading.
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:21 pm.
The inside cover is called a step-back. I like those too.
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 7:38 am.
Please, I beg of you….give me a cover that goes with the book’s story! A cover is very important to me, it tends to be one of the first thing that might attract me to a new author. It can equally turn me away. If there is going to be a guy on the cover, he needs to be hot, otherwise don’t bother. If it looks like paranormal, the story should match. And it there is a beach pictured, then some of the story should be on the beach! Some covers are just crazy these days and seem to have nothing to do with the story inside and they’re always a disappointment. On the other hand a good looking cover that depicts something of the story can linger in my mind…..
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 8:40 pm.
A good cover definitely lingers with a good story.
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 7:38 am.
If the cover sucks me in it has to be in line with what the book is about, otherwise what is the point? I’m just sayin….
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 3:01 pm.