I love book covers. I love to look at them. I love to study
them. I love how some make me want to read the book in the future and how some
make me want to read the book NOW.
But I never knew how hard it would be to decide on a cover
until I was responsible for choosing one for my latest novella, A Love Most Worthy.
I’d hoped to find a premade and save a little money. This was
my first indie-published book and, honestly, the budget was a little tight. I
scoured the internet for cover designers, then scoured their sites for a
premade that would be appropriate. No go.
I played around with doing something myself. Clearly, I am
no graphic designer.
I considered hiring someone on Fiverr, but changed my mind.
A book cover, like the story inside, is too important to take shortcuts.
Then, I found a designer who created book covers reminiscent
of some of my favorites from Bethany House and Revell books. She also had
premades! Unfortunately, none of them fit my book either. Believing I wouldn’t be
happy with anything else, I decided to splurge and hire her for a custom design,
then gave her all the pertinent information I thought she needed.
Boy, I was on pins and needles, waiting to see what she
would create from the descriptions I gave her. And then it came, the email that
brought goosebumps. Was the design perfect? No. Was it what I had envisioned?
Actually, I had no vision of what would be good. But she got it. She got Hallie
and the setting. She got that I wanted well-blended images that looked like
they were one. We went back and forth with the changes: colors, fonts, lighten
it, enlarge this, full face or partial.
Those were tough decisions for someone who takes forever to
make a decision. Turns out, the easiest choice I made was in the designer and
to go with the custom order. Variations came to me, then went straight to my
advisers (my crit partner, husband, and daughter).
But I learned some things:
Don’t scimp.
Those in the know will always tell you to avoid the DIY approach and hire
someone worthy of your book. Listen to them.
Take your time.
Find that person whose work best suits what you have in mind for your book.
Don’t be afraid to
ask for revisions. The designer wants you to be as happy with the work as
you want your readers to be. Reputations are on the line.
Get input from others.
Don’t be shy about asking someone else what they think. They might point out
something you hadn’t noticed or even considered. I’m pretty sure not everyone
will like your decisions, but in the end, it’s your book and your need to be
satisfied.
Have you been responsible for making the decision about a book cover? What did you learn from it?
When it came time to reveal my new cover, I created a short
video, unable to resist teasing the viewer.
~~~~~~
As an author of heartwarming and award-winning historical romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.
Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Connect with her on BookBub, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
As a gift for her newsletter subscribers, Sandra wrote a short story to accompany A Love Most Worthy—a “prelude.” It provides some insight into Hallie’s story, something those who read only the novella won’t receive. So, join the Love and Faith in Fiction community and keep up with what’s new, discover what’s upcoming, and learn of specials and giveaways.
She didn't know which was colder, an Arctic winter or her new
husband’s heart.
Hallie
Russell believes life should be lived to the fullest. For that reason, she
sails to the gold
Tragedy led Rance Preston to
repent of his rowdy ways and open a general store for the miners in Nome. He’s content in his bachelorhood, but his two
orphaned nephews deserve a proper and serious-minded mother. Duped once by a
vivacious female, he’s determined to never again let his heart overrule his
head…until the high spirits of his new bride threaten his resolve.
