A Cover Story
I spent several hours tonight filling in a very complex form for the artist to use to design the cover for the third Quilts of Lancaster County series (Abingdon Press).
Readers often ask authors how much they get to say about covers and as with so many things in publishing -- and life -- there is no one answer. Every publishing house has their own way of doing things although there are some constants. Authors are asked questions like, "What is the mood you want the cover to convey?" and "Describe a key scene" and "What do you think is the most important element on the cover -- the title or the author's name?" and "What do the characters look like?"
The cover artist will work on the design well ahead of the printing schedule so sometimes the author is still working on the book and doesn't know everything about it yet.
After the design is done, it's sent to us for approval. Then the suggestions we make are considered. When I showed my very first cover to my dad, a professional, award-winning artist and illustrator, I said I didn't like the square of color around the picture of the hero and heroine. I swear, the color was that of split pea soup. Dad used a magnet to put the cover on the refrigerator and made me stand back a little, about where he said potential readers would see it on a bookstore shelf. Then he asked how I felt about it. Well, the cover really caught my attention with the unusual color which made a frame around the couple. And the most important thing he said was to not tell the professionals what they should do -- that they knew how to design covers that readers would buy on my book. Wise man, my dad. Now I trust those professionals (my editor, Barbara Scott, and her title committee changed the Quilt titles based on reading the first book and they were SO RIGHT!).
I have felt blessed by some great covers...I loved the one for An Amish Christmas probably because it has a beautiful dusky blue/aquamarine color that is my favorite color. (By the way, AAC is being re-released with an additional story in August.) And I feel exceptionally happy with the covers that have been designed for my Quilts of Lancaster series (the first book is out in September and is available to pre-order). The artist obviously did research to understand what a true Amish quilt designed for use in their homes looks like as compared to the ones the Amish sew to sell to the Englisch. I decided during the writing of Book 2 to have the heroine sew a particular quilt for the hero and without us discussing it, the artist did that very quilt on the cover!
So I'm very interested in seeing what the cover for Book 3 will look like. I promise to post it here as soon as I get it!
Changing subjects, I left out an ingredient for the Amish Macaroni Salad last week. (I really have to stop writing my blog late at night!) A reader asked if the recipe should have included mayonnaise. Yes! How could I leave that out? The recipe I was given calls for 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise OR you can use Miracle Whip if you wish. I start with one cup and keep adding a little until I get the consistency I like. I hope you'll try the recipe and let me know how you like it.
Do you have a question about the process of writing or producing a book, particularly an Amish one? Leave it for me on the comments and I'll be happy to answer it in a future blog.
Have a great weekend!
Barbara
Readers often ask authors how much they get to say about covers and as with so many things in publishing -- and life -- there is no one answer. Every publishing house has their own way of doing things although there are some constants. Authors are asked questions like, "What is the mood you want the cover to convey?" and "Describe a key scene" and "What do you think is the most important element on the cover -- the title or the author's name?" and "What do the characters look like?"
The cover artist will work on the design well ahead of the printing schedule so sometimes the author is still working on the book and doesn't know everything about it yet.
After the design is done, it's sent to us for approval. Then the suggestions we make are considered. When I showed my very first cover to my dad, a professional, award-winning artist and illustrator, I said I didn't like the square of color around the picture of the hero and heroine. I swear, the color was that of split pea soup. Dad used a magnet to put the cover on the refrigerator and made me stand back a little, about where he said potential readers would see it on a bookstore shelf. Then he asked how I felt about it. Well, the cover really caught my attention with the unusual color which made a frame around the couple. And the most important thing he said was to not tell the professionals what they should do -- that they knew how to design covers that readers would buy on my book. Wise man, my dad. Now I trust those professionals (my editor, Barbara Scott, and her title committee changed the Quilt titles based on reading the first book and they were SO RIGHT!).
I have felt blessed by some great covers...I loved the one for An Amish Christmas probably because it has a beautiful dusky blue/aquamarine color that is my favorite color. (By the way, AAC is being re-released with an additional story in August.) And I feel exceptionally happy with the covers that have been designed for my Quilts of Lancaster series (the first book is out in September and is available to pre-order). The artist obviously did research to understand what a true Amish quilt designed for use in their homes looks like as compared to the ones the Amish sew to sell to the Englisch. I decided during the writing of Book 2 to have the heroine sew a particular quilt for the hero and without us discussing it, the artist did that very quilt on the cover!
So I'm very interested in seeing what the cover for Book 3 will look like. I promise to post it here as soon as I get it!
Changing subjects, I left out an ingredient for the Amish Macaroni Salad last week. (I really have to stop writing my blog late at night!) A reader asked if the recipe should have included mayonnaise. Yes! How could I leave that out? The recipe I was given calls for 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise OR you can use Miracle Whip if you wish. I start with one cup and keep adding a little until I get the consistency I like. I hope you'll try the recipe and let me know how you like it.
Do you have a question about the process of writing or producing a book, particularly an Amish one? Leave it for me on the comments and I'll be happy to answer it in a future blog.
Have a great weekend!
Barbara
Covers are so important! i have one book published and it's dedicated to my Amish heritage. The Cover is of a vision given me by the Angel of the Lord who protects me in spiritual warfare..... take a look...it's on amazon.com the title is "God is Coming" published in 1998.
Enjoyed your book, An Amish Christmas; just finished reading it; am just starting "An Honest Love." My Dad was raised Amish, his mother was shunned; her father kept my dad from his mother. So, Amish values carried over into my life; even tho i wasn't raised on the old Amish farm in Pennsylvania. Therefore, i am really enjoying your books. Love your Amish recipes, i have a few oldies but goodies too.
Thanks to all of you for giving the "English" a peek of the Amish way of life through your books.
janet
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Hi Barbara It's always good to read your articles and thanks for adding the mayo in. Barbara, Is'nt God good how he wor's with others in our life there you were working on your quilts book and your artist painted the very same quilt you emagined WOW!!! . Thanks for your books and God's blessings to you.
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I just love the cover!! Since I have learned to quilt, although, I am still a beginner, anything with quilt patches on it, attracts my eye- and of course, any Amish fiction also gets a second look- SO you have done it well!! I can hardly wait for this book!!
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