Hearts, Another Pre-Publication Update
The Intro: A book’s cover is important. Whether it’s hatchet carrying gnomes,
or dead diamonds, 
(Both very cool covers by the way.) a cover is important; it drives sales.
The Setup: The cover sends a message about your book. For little known…hmmm… make that Unknown authors, like me, a snazzy cover might be the only reason a book gets picked up. That’s true for store shelves and personal appearances.
Old Hearts Cover
I had a great cover the first time around. At book signings, people would do a double-take, stop, and pick up the book. Most assuredly, they didn’t pick it up because I was standing behind the table. Yep, it pretty much all starts with the cover.
Think about it. You’re in a store. You see a cover. It’s…interesting in some way. It has visual appeal. What are you likely to do? Yeah, same as me, pick it up.
The Lesson: A couple of weeks ago, my editor sent me a draft of the new cover for Hearts. I liked it…but, I asked for a couple of changes. I got them, but only in a minimal way. When I asked for more changes of the same type. I heard nothing back.
Last week, during edits, I casually asked how the cover was coming along. Finished, I was told. Hmmm. What about my changes? I didn’t ask. Apparently, I’m gonna get what I’m gonna get. Now, I don’t know this for a fact. Maybe the cover will come out exactly as I requested—but I doubt it.
I got the clear impression that I’d be humored for one change. They didn’t want to get into a game of, “Can you change this? Can you change that?” Well, that’s fair enough.
The takeaway: Many authors get NO say in what the cover will be. If you get any, be glad. Publishers realize covers are a key component of successful sales. Publishers are all about sales…and, by the way, if you don’t recognize and understand that cruel factoid, please do so right away. If you do, your published author life will be much simpler. Most publishers reserve the right to make the cover what they please. Yeah, you’re stuck with it, but, that’s the way it is. It may be your book content….but it’s their book cover. Just sayin’, be ready for it.
The End: Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again on Friday.
Themocracy
And that is the reality most first time authors need to realize. The bigger the publisher, the less say, if any. they have in their cover art.
Hope yours turns out for the better!
Wow, thanks for the visual plug!
Covers are really incredibly important. For the last 2 books, I’ve been politely asked how I liked the cover after it was drafted. I had a very small change request for one of them, but I wasn’t at all sure I was going to get it. I did, and I was really appreciative. And you’re so right–it’s the marketing and art department’s decision. The editor doesn’t even get that much say in it, either!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I find this fascinating because I know from a marketing point of view, covers are extremely important, but from a personal reader’s point of view I simply don’t care. If I’m interested in the book it’s not going to be because of its cover. However, first impressions are important…
Yeah, I probably won’t get much say in mine.
Hope your cover doesn’t suck!
You speak the truth, Galen. When it comes to covers and titles, authors can offer their suggestions, but then it’s up to the wise folks in marketing, and art, and sales to come up with stuff that’s going to SELL!
And I’m very grateful, because, at least in my case, they seem to know what they are doing!
I like the “old Hearts” cover. If they improve upon that, I think you’ll have a winner!
And, as Elizabeth said, thanks for the visual plug!
Yup. That’s one of the trade-offs. With the smaller presses, you don’t get big advances or huge marketing budgets to help you drive sales, but you usually have anywhere from some to a lot of say in the cover and layout of front and back matter. With the BIGS you get the front bucks and the marketing push, but almost NO say in those other matters.
The Old Silly
Your old cover was very good. It’s hard to give up control and trust that cover artists and marketing people know what they’re doing.
When I received an email from the publisher with cover art in the subject, it took me hours before I worked up the nerve to open it and take a look. Fortunately, I ended up liking it. I hope you’re pleased with yours, too.
Great reminders to those trying to get into that “published” category. It is a business and, theoretically, you’re in business to make money (publishers included). I really hope your cover turns out how you like it – heard so many stories from authors who wind up cringing when they see it.
Five Star asked for author suggestions for covers in the package of stuff we send back after the first round of editing. In both my cases, the artist took elements of what I suggested and then put his own spin on it — I loved both covers. When the Books in Motion version and the Harlequin paperback version came out, the covers were a complete surprise (but they definitely followed the theme of the hardcover copy). I know some authors are horrified when they first see their art, but I’ve been very lucky.