We all know that covers matter. I’ve seen ones at the book store which have made me wrinkle my nose in disgust (too much pink, strange lettering, a photograph or a drawing that is just too much). And then there are the ones whose images promised such wonderful stories that I felt compelled to go right over and pick up the book. The real trick for a writer is to get the second kind of cover.
I was so relieved when I got my own cover for Posed for Murder from St. Martin’s Press. My first thought was that they understood the book completely. The photo was evocative, just the kind of thing that my main character might take. It reminded me of The Black Dahlia, a mystery classic by James Ellroy. I started marketing my book with renewed vigor. I was happy to have the image on my marketing materials, and got nice comments from people about the cover.
So what happens when the cover on your wonderful book that you spent so much time writing is terrible? I’d heard such horror stories from other authors. They got book covers that were inappropriate for their book. It was a nightmare, and they blamed it directly for their terrible sales.
Can you get a cover changed? I think it depends on who is publishing your book. I have a friend also at St. Martin’s who gave feedback on her cover when they asked. They listened to her comments and made the changes. But, unfortunately, not every publishing house is that responsive. And they have a different idea than you what genre your book is or what the tone should be.
I guess knowing what I do now about how covers are chosen, I should try out books no matter what the cover is like. I certainly did as a kid. But I also remember puzzling over the Nancy Drew book images, confused because her hair color was different in each book, but never seemed to match the cover either. And I was glad in the end that I read them anyway.
Your book cover looks fantastic, M — just the kind an author wants. All the best, and I’ll see you at the New York Library in May.
I love your cover, too, Meredith. It’s creepy without being ghoulish, and it’s beautiful in a sad kind of way which fits Lydia’s pictures perfectly. I wonder if they had this photo lying around, or if they did a photo shoot just for your book! I never thought about the “how” of creating covers until GalleyCat started pointing out cases where multiple books used the same stock photography with only slight tweaks.
Thanks! I love the cover, too. I don’t know if they shot it just for the book or not, but I imagine it was an embellished stock photo.
I had a photographer friend who provided stock photos for books, and she showed me proudly two different books with photos of her cat on them! Funny.
This cover has intrigued me too with its sophistication yet deadly angle. I’d pick it up in a second, Meredith…but Amazon will deliver in less than a month!
Thanks, Larramie! My release date is getting close, isn’t it? I’ve been busily inviting everyone to my book launch and starting to get excited. I can’t wait to hold the “real book” in my hand.
Your cover is good, but the pages are wonderful, too! I’m starting to get so excited for you! Your launch is just around the corner. Put on your party boots and get ready!
Your cover is very evocative, and very “Lydia”!
I can’t believe your launch is just a few weeks away!