I had a dream last night that my cover for CREEP was pink. Not hot pink, like our signature color on Killer Chicks, but pale pink. Soft pink. Girly pink. I also dreamed it had curly letters that said CREEP: A NOVEL, and that there was a misty, blurry picture of a white flower (yes, flower). My name was also in curly letters, but the font was so small it was barely readable.
It looked like a wedding invitation.
I woke up sweating. Please God. NO.
My subconscious mind is an evil, scary place, and clearly it’s in overdrive at the moment to torment and terrorize me more than usual. My editor at Gallery let me know last week that they were having a meeting to discuss the cover concept for my book, and of course that’s all I’ve been thinking about lately. Because cover art is really, really important. I read somewhere that most buyers will purchase a book based on three things: author recognition, the cover, and the back cover blurb.
As a debut novelist, clearly I don’t have name recognition. So the cover – front and back – really, really matters. Now, I can’t imagine that anyone who’s read CREEP would imagine a flowery cover in baby pink… but you never know, do you? You just never know what someone else’s vision for your book will be. A writer friend whose book comes out next year sent me a picture of his publisher’s first attempt at his cover… and it was Not Good. In fact, it was so Not Good that if it had been my cover, I would have curled up on the floor in a fetal position, sucking my thumb and wishing for the world to go away. Luckily, they re-did the cover and now it’s outstanding! (Names withheld to protect the innocent.)
I can’t imagine what it will feel like to see my cover for the first time. I’m guessing it will make things feel more real. Right now, even with all that’s happened, things still feel sort of… surreal.
If I ever win the Lotto and had my book about to be published, I would pay out of my own pocket for the artist, Brom, to paint and design my cover — because, like you, I know how important covers are to entice readers to pick up the book.
May your fears be groundless, Roland
It sounds to me like they feel a bit too real at the moment if you are dreaming about flowery pink covers! In all honesty, that cover art would turn me off, but if I read the back cover, I'd be buying that book anyway. It just sounds COOL. If we have to, we can all go to our local bookstores and flip your book to the back cover should the cover art not come out to your liking. 😉 I'd be willing to do that.
But there is no way they can make a girly, soft cover with a title like CREEP.
Covers are pretty important for a novel, however I have read the synopsis of your novel and know that I'll love it, so should it be that pink with a flower on it I would still pick it up, I'm just not sure anyone else would!!! Not to worry, not to worry, your sweating and nerves will calm down soon enough!!!
PS Did you watch Criminal Minds last night?!
That's a scary thought! I work in a bookstore, and occasionally I come across covers where I can't help but wonder what in the world the designer/publisher was thinking, and how the poor author must feel. Most of the time, though, it seems as though publishers are quite aware of the importance of matching genre with an appropriate cover. So there shouldn't be any reason to fear a pink and girly cover…
(And yes, covers are important – I get a lot of customers who dismiss any book I suggest if they don't like the cover. But again, most publishers KNOW this…)
An understandable nightmare. I know authors who have been reduced to tears because of their covers.
I'm sure yours will be perfect!
Now if your blurbs are all from Tori Spelling, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan you might be in some trouble…
Oy, that is a nightmare! I'm guessing your cover will be fantastic. Can't wait to hear who ends up blurbing your book!
ugh…so sorry that this waiting and the anticipation of it all has permeated your dreams 🙁
I'm just curious (and this may be a very dumb question), but does the person who is hired to design the cover actually read it??? i mean it seems to me that it would be stupid not to, but i'm wondering if they actually read the entire book or just the blurb about it? do you know how the process behind a cover designer works? hmmm….could be a great topic to blog about (an interview with someone who designs to be published novel covers). I think it would fascinating to hear what goes on behind the scenes (so to speak).
You can't judge a book by its cover. Oh — wait a minute. Yes, you can. And we often do.
Here's hoping your cover art turns out to be freakin' awesome! When will you be able to post it here for all of us to see?
Thanks for the comments, guys!
Roland, thank you for the good wishes. I hope you win the lottery.
Jennie, what a sweet suggestion! But that brings up yet another worry… what if stores only stock my book spine out? Can I enlist your help in turning them all face-forward? 🙂
Jen: Aw, what I would do without blog buddies like you. Yes, I did watch Criminal Minds and it was SO GOOD! Tim Curry and those TEETH…!
Cruella: You must see so many awful covers, but also great ones, too! You must love your job, I would. 🙂
JB: I think Paris is part of the S&S family… oh God.
Joann: Despite my kooky dream, I'm sure they'll do a fantastic job. I really do think that. And at this point, I'll be happy if anybody blurbs my book!
Melanie: That's a good question. I've heard it answered both ways — some marketing departments only get a synopsis, others do read the whole book. Not sure how it works at Gallery. If I find out, I'll definitely blog about it (great idea)!
Milo: I try not to judge books by their covers… but I know that I totally do. No word on when the cover will be ready, but you guys will be the first to see it (of course).