covers

Straka · Jan 5, 2008

How much say do authors have on what their book cover looks like?

On a side note I actually was looking at a few books at barnes and noble, reprints, and I didn't buy them because the cover was so ugly to me. A voice in my head said I'd find earlier additions. Crazy maybe.

cethklein · Jan 5, 2008

It all depends on the contract. Asking for control of cover treatment is a debatable issue. I've heard agents go both ways, either saying it's ok or saying it's not ok.

Will Lavender · Jan 5, 2008

I'd say it depends upon the publishing house, your editor, etc.

My editor asked me if I had any ideas before they began to design. Thought it was a nice gesture, though they would have probably gone a different way once it was said and done. I really hadn't even thought of any cover ideas for my book. Not something I'm good at (I couldn't draw a stick man if you held a gun to my head), so I just passed.

I do have a funny story about my cover. Long story short, Crown came up with a cover, the Barnes & Noble and Borders people didn't like it, and they totally changed it to what you see in the avatar. It's all about selling books, and these people often have a much better idea on how to do that than an author does.

ORION · Jan 5, 2008

Normally not much. I was asked for my input- (Marketing and the art department actually know what sells.)
I was also asked what I thought- I loved my cover right off...The foreign publishers don't even ask- I didn't see my swedish cover until it was in the catalogue.

johnzakour · Jan 5, 2008

I have very little say which isn't bad I'm a writer not a designer.

Claudia Gray · Jan 5, 2008

They asked me for thoughts, and then promptly did their own thing -- which is really much better than what I'd had in mind.

Only very, very big-name authors get cover approval. The rest of us get cover consult, which means they DO talk to you and hear your thoughts, but trust their own art departments (and, as Will points out, the talent at the big booksellers).

Best not to get too hung up on the cover. Our responsibility is what goes on the pages between.

Cassidy · Jan 5, 2008

Same as most people here really... didn't have much input and was okay with that as I really wouldn't have a clue what to suggest. I was nervous about what the covers would look like, but I've liked all of them so far.

Straka · Jan 5, 2008

thanks for the replies, I was curious. I've been doing graphic design for the past 5 years so I know what I like, but still I don't know the business as well as others so it makes sense to let them call the shots.

But that's getting ahead of myself, first thing to do is get published.

Stijn Hommes · Jan 6, 2008

Will Lavender said:
I'd say it depends upon the publishing house, your editor, etc.

My editor asked me if I had any ideas before they began to design. Thought it was a nice gesture, though they would have probably gone a different way once it was said and done. I really hadn't even thought of any cover ideas for my book. Not something I'm good at (I couldn't draw a stick man if you held a gun to my head), so I just passed.

I do have a funny story about my cover. Long story short, Crown came up with a cover, the Barnes & Noble and Borders people didn't like it, and they totally changed it to what you see in the avatar. It's all about selling books, and these people often have a much better idea on how to do that than an author does.

Did you have anything to do with it, or was that David Baldacci blurb something the publisher did on their own?

covers

Straka

Bored Fanatic

cethklein

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

ORION

Sailed away years ago

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

Claudia Gray

Cassidy

writing for kids and teens

Straka

Bored Fanatic

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...