Into the Fire

The world of indie publishing has increased the need for cover designers hired by individuals producing their books. Since I've self-published mine, I've always had the last word on the cover designs. Although two of the three required more communication than the other one, the artists succeeded in expressing the novels' tone and substance.

So, for those of you who write novels, do you see your covers before, during, or not at all when working on your book?

I may be e-publishing another novel, and I have seen the cover for this one since its inception. Whether or not the image in my mind translates well to the finished product remains a question mark at this time, but I'll attempt to describe it accurately and hope it makes a good cover.

I've never liked covers with a predominant focus on the author's name – where the name overrides the title, the design, and most everything else. There are ways to feature the author without overtaking the title's message, such as different fonts, bolder color, or black. For me, the title and design are the most important part of a book cover.

I love great book covers and am a self-confessed judger of books by their covers. Doesn't mean I won't read a book with a cover I don't like, but without a specific interest in that particular book I'll put it right back on the shelf or skip over the Amazon description if I'm not attracted to the cover. Covers matter to me, and I want mine to appeal to me. That way maybe others will enjoy them too.

Father, thank you for all the people you've gifted with designer talents. Their art contributes to the satisfaction of writer and reader alike. So grateful for your never ending generosity. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.