Jessie: in New Hampshire, where more snowy weather is in the forecast for tomorrow!
One of the things I think is most magical about reading and writing is the way that thoughts and images in my head will have at least a passing resemblance to those of my readers or to the authors of books, I in turn, read. One of the things I hope the most about crafting stories is that what I am imagining can be expressed in a vivid enough way for it to reach readers as fully fleshed out as the characters and situations seem to me.
I always hope that a similar thing will occur when I’m asked by my editors to provide cover art suggestions for my books. I try to communicate by sharing images and shortlists of words and phrases that I think will get my ideas across. Despite my best efforts, it can be startling to see an image in front of you of what someone else imagines when you describe a scene or character or situation.
Still, there are months between the time my editors request cover ideas and when I receive my first glimpse of the artwork. During that time I usually forget all about the fact that someone, somewhere, is creating a cover. I’m busy writing the next book, or working on copy edits, or creating blog posts like this one, and cover art is rarely on my mind. But then one day, I’ll receive an email, unexpectedly, from my editor announcing the cover is ready. I always cross my fingers and hope that we have a match between what I described and what the artist interpreted.
So, here’s the latest cover! It’s the first time I’ve had an interior scene for the Beryl and Edwina series. I think the artist captured the sense of an English country house. I just love the way the victim’s feet poke out past the potted plant, just as they do in the story! I guess crossing my fingers worked!
Readers, what do you like to see in a book cover? Does it matter if it accurately reflects the story itself? Writers, do your covers look the way that you expect?