Book covers – ever wonder what goes into them? Ever thought about the the time spent searching for an appropriate background, about whether to have figures or symbols? About what can go on the cover that will give the reader an idea of the story inside?
Graphic designers get a brief from the publisher about the book contents and what they think will work and try to come up with something they hope the publisher likes. But it’s not easy. Sometimes a cover hits the right note, is eye-catching, draws the reader in, gives a good indication of what type of story is between the covers. I’ve had a couple of those in the past. But I’ve also had some that fell flatter than my first attempts at making gluten free scones (even the dog wouldn’t eat them – the scones, that is, not the covers).
With my current publisher, Clan Destine Press, I’m lucky to have a fair bit of say in the cover content. This is wonderful, but it can also be frustrating in that I get to experience the limitations that can sometimes happen for the graphic designer when trying to mould several disparate pieces into a cohesive whole.
Lots of head scratching has been happening with the Grievous Harm cover. Several potentials have been slaved over only to be discarded because they just didn’t “work”. And now we’re down to a great background, with good colouring and scene composition, but needing that particular element that makes the reader want to pick up the book.
So I’m asking all those readers of romantic suspense, or crime and romance, or thriller with a love story, what do you think that element is? What is it about a cover that makes you pick up the book?