The Dark One
Auror
I am absolutely blown away by my new cover. So much so I wrote a blog about it...
Don’t Judge a Book…
Don’t Judge a Book…
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Welcome to Ord City - cover
- Thread starter The Dark One
- Start date
Za'dok Khoal
Scribe
The cover is catching and makes the imagination work. I like the color and the artistic detail.
- Thread starter
- #3
The Dark One
Auror
Thanks Za'dok!
Vicki27
Minstrel
Yep I like it too. It is eye-catching and a bit out of the ordinary. Do you get a book cover illustrated before you find a publisher? If not, do you find the illustrator, or does the publisher recommend anyone?
- Thread starter
- #5
The Dark One
Auror
I found an old retro postcard which I knew was just perfect for the cover and gave it to the person who did my last few covers. She came up with the design (which suits the story perfectly) inspired by the postcard and after reading the ms. That's part of why she's so good - I doubt whether many designers actually read the story first.
I've only ever worked with small publishers so I've always had a big say in the cover. I understand the author has far less control in the big houses where cover design is a major part of the process. In this case, I'm doing it myself for the first ever time (after having the book accepted and then dropped due to the publisher's financial problems). That means it's even more critical I get the cover right to convince purchasers and bookstores that they're looking at trade level quality.
I've only ever worked with small publishers so I've always had a big say in the cover. I understand the author has far less control in the big houses where cover design is a major part of the process. In this case, I'm doing it myself for the first ever time (after having the book accepted and then dropped due to the publisher's financial problems). That means it's even more critical I get the cover right to convince purchasers and bookstores that they're looking at trade level quality.
Vicki27
Minstrel
Thanks dark one, it's one of those things you don't know until you've been there. I'm guessing it's a big learning curve doing it yourself. I hope all goes well for you.
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- #7
The Dark One
Auror
Cheers Vickers. I'm trying to do things as professionally as possibly but marketing and distribution are the biggest challenge.
I am at least getting my website completely rebuilt to properly focus on the books.
I am at least getting my website completely rebuilt to properly focus on the books.
Night Gardener
Inkling
Love it!
If I was still working at my much beloved (and dearly missed) indie bookshop from a lifetime ago, this is the exact kind of book (and bookcover) that we would have given the full "must-display" treatment- because it is both a little tongue-in-cheek and very eyecatching. ( Probably would have merited an employee review, too. )
Sorry to hear about issues with your publisher, but glad to hear you are moving forward on your own.
If I was still working at my much beloved (and dearly missed) indie bookshop from a lifetime ago, this is the exact kind of book (and bookcover) that we would have given the full "must-display" treatment- because it is both a little tongue-in-cheek and very eyecatching. ( Probably would have merited an employee review, too. )
Sorry to hear about issues with your publisher, but glad to hear you are moving forward on your own.
- Thread starter
- #9
The Dark One
Auror
Thanks NG, can I talk you into going back there?
My local bookstore will definitely make a big fuss (and the local library) but it gets hard after that. I am certainly hoping to interest some independent stores.
Hope you're well.
My local bookstore will definitely make a big fuss (and the local library) but it gets hard after that. I am certainly hoping to interest some independent stores.
Hope you're well.
Marta Taylor
Acolyte
I love this cover! It's super interesting and original, quite different to the usual book covers. It's really eye catching which is great! You must be so proud!
- Thread starter
- #11
The Dark One
Auror
Thanks Marta, very proud.
The cover works on so many levels and is deeply indicative of the story within. Mind you, like all my work it's a little confronting so I'm getting a range of reviews. I expected that but anticipated people being upset by the politics. Instead they seem to be more upset with the behaviour of the characters, which surprised me. This is the first of my books to be marketed outside Australia so I suspect people outside Australia judge behaviour very differently.
The cover works on so many levels and is deeply indicative of the story within. Mind you, like all my work it's a little confronting so I'm getting a range of reviews. I expected that but anticipated people being upset by the politics. Instead they seem to be more upset with the behaviour of the characters, which surprised me. This is the first of my books to be marketed outside Australia so I suspect people outside Australia judge behaviour very differently.
