Yesterday, Troll-y Yours, Book 2 in the Centaur series, was published and is now available on Amazon, Smashwords, and soon Barnes & Noble.
It got me thinking about my cover…and how HOT it is. So I asked my cover artist Carey Abbott to stop by.
Take it away, Carey!
Sheri was kind enough to ask me to be on her blog. Thanks
Sheri, it is really nice to be here. I hope I can help new authors understand
the process of the cover art business. I
recently had the pleasure of making two of Sheri’s covers. One for Troll-y
Yours (above) and Portals of Oz (below).
Sheri, it is really nice to be here. I hope I can help new authors understand
the process of the cover art business. I
recently had the pleasure of making two of Sheri’s covers. One for Troll-y
Yours (above) and Portals of Oz (below).
Both turned out amazing and hopefully Sheri will be
kind enough to share them with you today.
kind enough to share them with you today.
But I’m going to take a slightly different approach.
Originally, I was going to walk you through my process but I didn’t think that
would really be much help for the newbie author having a cover made for the
first time. You can get all that info in a few clicks on my website. The real
question is what to expect as a first timer.
Originally, I was going to walk you through my process but I didn’t think that
would really be much help for the newbie author having a cover made for the
first time. You can get all that info in a few clicks on my website. The real
question is what to expect as a first timer.
I will walk you through the four steps to making a beautiful
cover.
cover.
1) The
Vision
Vision
Writers, cover artists need a very detailed account of your
story. Giving your cover artist as much info as possible makes the process
easier on you both. I don’t believe you can give too much info. The more info, the easier it is to create the perfect cover.
story. Giving your cover artist as much info as possible makes the process
easier on you both. I don’t believe you can give too much info. The more info, the easier it is to create the perfect cover.
As a cover artist, we–in most cases–are working blind, and it
is up to the author to fill in the blanks. Without author provided details, we
don’t know where to start.
is up to the author to fill in the blanks. Without author provided details, we
don’t know where to start.
Don’t expect your cover artist to read your book to make
your cover. If I read every book I created covers for, I would be doing more
reading than cover art. It would just be way too time consuming.
your cover. If I read every book I created covers for, I would be doing more
reading than cover art. It would just be way too time consuming.
So, it is left up to the author to provide all the details
and it is up to the cover artist to listen very carefully.
and it is up to the cover artist to listen very carefully.
But the author also needs to be flexible and take the cover
artist’s opinions seriously. We aren’t trying to blow your vision to bit and
pieces. But for the most part, the cover artist knows what will and won’t
work. Through trial and error we have
learned the good, the bad, and the ugly.
artist’s opinions seriously. We aren’t trying to blow your vision to bit and
pieces. But for the most part, the cover artist knows what will and won’t
work. Through trial and error we have
learned the good, the bad, and the ugly.
2) Pictures
The right picture can make or break a cover. The best
pictures have bright eye catching colors. This is what you want. Make the
reader stop and take notice.
pictures have bright eye catching colors. This is what you want. Make the
reader stop and take notice.
But there is a fine line between eye catching and just too busy.
Simple and straight to the point is the best plan of action.
I don’t recommend black and white pictures because they tend
to fade out when in thumbnail.
to fade out when in thumbnail.
Remember: you don’t need every aspect of your story to be
present on your cover. That’s what we have blurbs for.
present on your cover. That’s what we have blurbs for.
My opinion on pictures is to pick one aspect of your story that
is important and stick with that.
is important and stick with that.
3) Font
Your font needs to be clean and readable. Not just in full
size, but in thumbnail as well.
size, but in thumbnail as well.
Sometimes bold block letters are the best option, but it all
depends on the cover. I have used all types of fonts. But listen to your cover
artist if they tell you the fonts just aren’t working. Most cover artists know the font needs to be
readable. Remember, we have the author’s
best interest at heart while making a cover.
depends on the cover. I have used all types of fonts. But listen to your cover
artist if they tell you the fonts just aren’t working. Most cover artists know the font needs to be
readable. Remember, we have the author’s
best interest at heart while making a cover.
I just can’t stress how important readable font in smaller
size is.
size is.
4) Final
Product
Product
The author should love their cover and be jumping for joy
when it is done. If not, then something along the way went wrong.
when it is done. If not, then something along the way went wrong.
If you feel the cover needs to be tweaked, then tell your
cover artist. This is the cover that will garner you sales or get you passed over.
cover artist. This is the cover that will garner you sales or get you passed over.
A good cover artist will listen to the author and make the
changes they are asked to, or explain why they think the changes won’t
work. But even when an author has asked me to make changes, I usually
just show them and we both have peace of mind.
changes they are asked to, or explain why they think the changes won’t
work. But even when an author has asked me to make changes, I usually
just show them and we both have peace of mind.
Remember: the cover artist works for you. You should be
treated with respect and kindness during the cover making process.
treated with respect and kindness during the cover making process.
5) Final Thought
You really have to trust your cover artist to give you a
beautiful cover that reflects the story you have poured blood, sweat and tears
into.
beautiful cover that reflects the story you have poured blood, sweat and tears
into.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I will try
to answer any questions anyone might have.
to answer any questions anyone might have.
Below you will find links to check out my work, both pre-made and personalized. I make covers for all genres. From horror to
children’s books.
children’s books.
Pre-Made Covers (Right now I’m having a huge sale on all
Pre-Mades.)
Pre-Mades.)
Sold Cover Art
Thanks Sheri for having me! It was a blast!
Wow – fantastic job on the cover. You and Sheri must be ecstatic!
It is so exciting to see my authors get their babies out to the public. It takes a team to get a book ready for publication. I'm so excited when my authors get to share their stories with the world. You would think they are my stories. LOL!
Carey's covers are awesome!!! She made one for my short story and I LOVE it!!! Here's the link if you want to check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Chances-short-story-ebook/dp/B00A1PAJ0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369070020&sr=8-1&keywords=taking+chances+by+jennifer+lowery
Highly recommend buying your next cover from Carey! She's the best!!
Thanks bunches Jen! I want all my author's to fall madly in love with their covers. It means I did my job well.
Carey, you are a true master. Your talent blows my mind. You have a knack for knowing what will work and what won't.
Bravo, my friend!
It makes my heart swell that you have such kind words for me. I try to use being an author myself as a starting point when I"m making a cover. Thanks bunches sweetie!
You do such a fantastic job!!! I love my covers!
You guys are going to give me a big head. LOL! But truly it means the world to me. To hear I'm able to bring your vision to life. That is a very fulfilling feeling. Thanks so much!
You do such a great job, Carey! I love my covers!
Great insight, Carey. You brought my vision to life with my first book and I couldn't have been more ecstatic! It fit the mood and theme so well, and I still get compliments on it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I can't wait to be able to get a cover for the Secret Santa sequel. I know it'll but amazing!
Oh the just warms my heart for you to say that Nikki. Can't wait to do the next cover for you!
I want to thank everyone that has come by. I had a really crazy day! Got a new baby kitty last night. Had a doctors appointment today. Then was shocked when I got home and saw the devastation in Oklahoma. I pray for all those poor people. My heart goes out to them all.
Those are awesome covers, Carey! Congrats again on Troll-y Yours releasing, Sheri-poo! 🙂
Thanks Melissa! I have to say I have one if the best job. Not many people can say they love their job!