In the
past eighteen months, my understanding of the world of publishing has undergone
a massive learning curve. So many things I never knew even existed have now
become familiar as I’ve been stretched (and stressed!) beyond my snug little
writerly world of pre-contract / pre-published days. Today I'd thought I'd
share a little about some of the behind-the-scenes development of a book,
particularly in regards to marketing and cover design.
For each
of my books, my publisher's marketing team have sent a questionnaire about what
sorts of things I would like to see incorporated into the design direction of
my Regency-era novels. These questions relate to title, tone of book,
elevator pitch, back cover, target audience and cover direction. Having said
this, my publishers are very aware of the market where they are trying to
promote my books (the US Christian market), and have years of experience in
design and promotion, which means my ideas may simply remain my ideas. In
addition, there are certain constraints because my books are part of a 3-book series,
so particular efforts have been made to keep the style familiar for readers to
identify each book as one written by ‘Carolyn Miller’ 😀 But for each book I’ve
been really pleased with the way my answers to their questions have been
interpreted in the final covers.
So what
are those cover related questions, I hear you ask? Have a read of the following,
and consider how they might relate to your work in progress, or perhaps a
recent book you’ve read.
1.
Symbols/Themes - Please list and describe any
objects, visuals, Bible verses, or themes that illustrate or clarify the book’s
objectives and would be appropriate for cover art.
2.
Competing Titles - Please list any books that have been published within the last two
years that might compete with or target the same audience as your book and/or
has cover design elements that you like (or don’t like). Paste links to covers
you do/don’t like.
3.
Cover
Direction - While we
can’t promise we can/will incorporate every suggestion, we do want to consider
your design direction. Please feel free to share your cover suggestions.
For my first novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison, I had found an image on Pinterest I thought suited - it’s amazing what you can find when googling
‘Regency gown’! On the right is the original image:
In my notes in response to the above
questions I wrote:
I’d really like to see
the protagonist (Miss Ellison) on the front cover, dressed in a Regency-appropriate
gown, walking away (face not seen), holding a basket, which alludes to her
interests and her ‘elusiveness’. In the book she is depicted as slender, fair,
copper-blonde hair, grey eyes, wears shapeless grey gowns (which points to her
lack of vanity).
Compare the original image with the one near the top of the article - I think the tweaks the designers did fit the brief perfectly!
For my
second novel, The Captivating Lady
Charlotte, I again found an image on Pinterest that I loved. I included the following in my answers
to the questionnaire:
I thought I’d send a pic
of the image I think best epitomises the novel. It’s proved my most
repinned image on Pinterest, and to me sums up both the character description
and setting…and implies big house, money, the feeling of being trapped, and
pensive choice making…
For my
third novel, The Dishonorable Miss
DeLancey, out in October, the designers had a bit more work to do to pull
off my ideas, but still managed to create something that fitted the look of the
previous two books, while also hinting something of what the novel might be
about.
My comments
to the designers:
I would love to see Miss
DeLancey standing at a cliff top, facing the sea, while a glorious sunset gilds
the sea. This alludes to several significant clifftop moments that occur in the
novel, and the sunset references the global phenomena caused by the 1815 Mt
Tambora eruption. It is set near Brighton, so the cliffs should look somewhat
chalky...This novel is a little darker in some ways, but the depiction of light
symbolizes hope…
Again, I
think the designers succeeded – but maybe I’m a little biased! ;)
So, over to
you. Have you thought about what you do and don’t like about covers? What
images would best portray your WIP? Why?
Carolyn
Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia,
with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has
pastored a church for ten years, and worked part-time as a public high school
English and Learning and Support teacher.
A
longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s
Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing
readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her
debut Regency The Elusive Miss Ellison released in February 2017, and her next,
The Captivating Lady Charlotte released June 27, with The Dishonorable Miss Delancey releasing October 24. All are available from Amazon, Book Depository, Koorong and more.
