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More on Covers

A month from now when Prized comes out in the U.S., it’s also coming out in the U.K., Australia and La France.  I find it cool that the covers are all different, and that the cover artists for each country not only designed one cover, but clearly planned for the subsequent covers to evolve through the series.  They had to do this before the books were even written.  That boggles my mind.

My editor and I have recently been discussing cover art concepts for Promised, the final book in the trilogy, which can give you some idea of the lead time for cover art since that novel isn’t due out for another year.  Considering ideas for the cover this early, while I’m still revising, opens up the possibility for me to insert visual objects, the sort that might be cover-worthy, into the novel.  In fact, I’ve combined two of my existing objects into a new one which I like much better.  Regardless of whether the new item ultimately figures in the cover design, considering how it is used and what it stands for has helped me clarify the touch points of that item in at least three scenes.  It affects character and plot, and makes a visual and tactile element in the novel more real.  Who would have guessed?

Maybe we should design covers first, and write the novels afterward.

Below is the cover of Prized in France, where the title Bannie means “Banished.”  The green ribbon, the scar pattern, the eyes and the overall color tone have changed from Birth Marked Rebelle, the first novel.

Prized in France, due out November 10, 2011

And here, again, is the first cover for comparison.

Birth Marked Rebelle, French Cover, released 2010

2 Responses to More on Covers

  • Wow – the connection between cover and content is more complex and interesting than I thought! : D Thanks for sharing!
    The French covers are pretty – it’s fun to compare foreign covers. I definitely like the new American paperback cover best so far, though!

  • Heidi ~
    I find it fascinating, too! There are so many different elements to consider when finding the right images to capture and represent a novel. As readers, we always see the cover first and then read, but the designers have to be able to go the other way.
    All best,
    Caragh

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Book Trailer for Promised