A tale of seven covers – an author’s guide to choosing a cover image
Cover image number 1
These days a powerful cover image can be a crucial marketing tool for writers. Author Christine Coleman talks us through how she went about choosing a cover image for her latest novel Paper Lanterns, and gives us a step by step guide to picking a winning design.
Everyone knows that you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but do you really need to read the book itself before you can voice an opinion about the picture on its front?
Until recently, I’d never given much thought to the topic of covers, beyond a vague awareness that they signal the genre of the book. But things had changed for me since my first novel was published by Transita (sadly, no longer in business).
I was now in charge of every stage of the process of bringing my next novel, Paper Lanterns, into print, together with the small team of fellow writers at our embryonic publishing house, Novel Press.
My first task was to supply Ian Hughes at Mousemat Design with enough information about the novel for him to create the perfect cover for it. But how was I to do this, when I had only the vaguest notions in my head, and we live at least 200 miles apart?
Cover image 2
Cover image 2
Consider the mood of the book
I knew I wanted it to convey the overall mood of the book as one of optimism, in spite of the fact that each of the three main characters have suffered loss and disappointment in their lives. Colours would be important; maybe dark green and brown to hint at sadness, but softened by tones of lighter greens and blues.
Think about the location of the action
Although the majority of the real time action takes part in contemporary Hong Kong, I wanted to make it clear that the main characters are British, with attitudes and lifestyles to suit. However, Hong Kong itself is an important element in the novel - both in the present, and in the love story from the 1930s.
Cover image 3
Cover image 3
Remember the story’s era
The third of the interwoven story lines is set in England, and I wanted something on the cover (either abstract or representational) that could refer back to a significant period in the life of the main character, Ann.
The woodland parts of Sutton Park near her home are the backdrop for a key event in her childhood, which leads to the break-up of the family.
In order to give the designer something more concrete to work with, I decided to send him a selection of photos I’d taken on previous visits to Hong Kong . These views, and those of English trees are of places that feature in the novel.
Cover image 4
Cover image 4
Canvass your readers’ opinions
I was delighted with the way he had managed to use and adapt these images from my photographs. Although I knew at once which of the seven covers I liked best, I thought it might be fun to canvass the opinions of a wider range of readers by posting about it on my blog and offering prizes of five free copies of the novel. So last November, my ‘Book Cover Design Challenge’ was let loose onto the internet.
Expect to receive conflicting advice
Little did I know what a storm of conflicting ideas I was unleashing! After all, who could possibly know better than the author herself how her book should be presented to its readers?
At that stage, I had absolutely no intention of changing my mind, so the only fair question seemed to be, ‘Which cover do you think that the author likes best?’
Cover image 5
Cover image 5
Try to be impartial
Although I was delighted by the quality and thoughtfulness of the responses, I was becoming increasingly uneasy with each new entry - my own least favourite was leading the field from the start!
I tried to convince myself that this would change as more entries came through, and I clung to that hope while 22 out of 40, then 32 of 60, and 50 out of 90 followed that preference.
‘It’s your book, you can use whatever you want,’ the team assured me, but by the time the hundredth came through, and 56 people had selected that same one, I knew I would have to take notice of what was being said.
Cover image 6
Cover image 6
Don’t resist the obvious
One of the comments that struck me most forcibly was this, “…the average browser doesn’t have time to stand in a bookshop mulling over covers. They’ll go for the obvious.”
I had to admit that if I’m presented with a range of books, cover-side up, it’s the cover that will entice my hand to reach for it.
Of course, this is only the start: next, I’ll read the information on the back, and then flick through the first few pages, but if I hadn’t picked it up in the first place…
The winning image
The winning image
Trust the majority
So I looked again, slowly, at the display of all seven covers and found that the one preferred by 84 people out of 150 was acting in my head like the tortoise, winning its race against the hare.
And now, although I still like number six as a picture in its own right, I feel that the one chosen by the majority is the best one for my book.
For more on Christine please visit www.christinecoleman.net
To submit a feature idea and promote your writing, please email judy@EssentialWriters.com
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