Have you ever wondered what it takes to create the cover for a novel? I’ve learned it takes a dedicated team of people with knowledge, skills, and creativity to capture the essence of the story in a way that will connect with readers and motivate them to read the description and hopefully buy the book. I am very grateful to have just such a team at Bethany House Publishers!
About one year before the book is released, sometimes before I’m even finished writing the story, they invite me to share my ideas for the cover as well as images of my characters and setting. I spend quite a bit of time on Pinterest and with Google image search, looking for just the right photos that will help the team understand the story. I send those in for them to view as they were considering the best cover design for the novel.
This is the image is sent to represent Longdale Manor.
Those who work in sales, market, and the art department, as well as the editors, come together to discuss ideas for the cover, and then a designer creates cover mock ups. The team discusses those ideas and what they think will best appeal to readers. When they all agree, they send me the “final” cover design options and ask for my feedback.
These are the first two designs. I loved the image of the heroine, the colors, and the manor house on the right, but I had a few suggestions. I asked if they could increase the type size and weight so it would still be readable when the cover was reduced online, and I asked if they could change the paper in the middle to a journal, since that was one of the key items that tied the historical and contemporary plots together.
The designer went back to work and they sent me the next design. I loved the addition of the blue journal and the manor house that seemed to fit the description of Longdale Manor. I asked if they could just tip the journal a bit and I sent them a rough mock up of what I was thinking.
They very kindly took my suggestions and we had our beautiful final cover! I am so pleased with how it turned out. I think it really captures the mood of the story. Can you spot a few other small changes?
Since The Legacy of Longdale Manor released September 26, I’ve heard from so many readers who tell me how much they love the cover design. I’m sure it has caught the attention of new readers and delighted those who are familiar with my stories.
Special thanks for this lovely cover design go out to Raela, Anne, and Jenny at Bethany House, and Kathleen Lynch at Black Kat Designs.
Follow this link to order your copy of The Legacy of Longdale Manor. Does the heroine look like you pictured Charlotte? Did the journal on the cover influence you to want to read the story? I’d love to hear your thought about the cover.
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading!
Carrie
It is an outstanding cover!
Thank you, Joan!
I love the final journal design and the color of it. The print “makes” the look.
Thank you, Lori! I love that blue journal too!
The possibilities are endless when designing a cover. Yet this cover couldn’t be better! It’s so exciting to know that the author is allowed input and encouraged to offer it. I wonder if all book publishers offer the same opportunities for input.
Hi Charlotte, I know that different publisher offer different amounts of input from their authors. I have author friends who are not invited to give any input and just have to go with whatever cover they are given. I’d have a hard time with that since I was an art major and love being able to weigh in on the designs.
Such a beautiful cover – great work by the artists. What fun it must be!!
Thank you, Robin! Those artist do a great job, and I think it would be fun to work on covers.
Love this post, Carrie. Cover art is always my favorite part of publishing and you have an absolute beauty with yours! And it’s so good to know you invested in it and it’s so personalized. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Laura, thanks for taking a look at the cover design steps. I’m sure there were quite a few steps before they showed their ideas to me. But I’m happy to have had a little input and love how it turned out.
I love that you were able to make the cover truly yours! It is beautiful!
thank you, Danielle!
It really is a beautiful cover. I love learning these behind the scenes tidbits!!!
It was fun to have some input. Covers are so important!
The cover is lovely.
thank you Heather!
So interesting to see the cover being refined in stages. I like the manor house you ended up choosing along with the darker journal that helps the title “pop”. I’ve never read any of your books, but this one caught my eye. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Thanks, Jennifer! I hope you have the opportunity to read The Legacy of Longdale Manor!
The cover is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen! It’s perfect for the book! I love the blue journal, it’s so authentic and old. And Charlotte’s profile is so beautiful! Love the pink shades too! It’s awesome that you can give feedback and suggestions! The final result was perfect!
Thank so much, Paty!
Good afternoon, I think the blue cover is much prettier, especially because it stand out more and it looks more weathered, I love it! Your book sounds like a great read! Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Alicia!
They’re all beautiful! It’s amazing how a few small tweaks can make such a profound difference.
Thanks, Teri! It was fun to have some input with those tweaks!
It’s a beautiful cover. I am a cover snob. If it’s a author I don’t know and I don’t care for the cover, most of the time I won’t pick it up. If it’s my favorite authors I don’t care as much about the cover. I do love a beautiful cover.
Thanks, Brenda. Covers are important to me too!
I am in the process of reading this wonderful book now! I didn’t realize just how much work went into creating the cover. By the way, this cover is amazing!
Thanks, Grace! I’m happy to hear you’re reading The Legacy of Longdale Manor!
I love reading about how a book cover is created! This one is especially gorgeous and I’m glad you made the changes to the journal to make it more prominent.