My insecurity this time around is cover art. Deron Douglas is the C.E.O. of Double Dragon Publishing, but he's also the one and only cover artist. I tend to like "most" of his cover art. But some of it doesn't turn out all that great. And it's been my experience that whenever anything bad happens, it always happens to me. If there was a 1 in a 1000 chance that someone could get the plague from drinking water, I would be the one that got the plague, etc.
He's going to begin doing my cover design in February, and I'm a little nervous. I guess if I hate it I can just talk to him about it, but I signed an agreement that said that I essentially have no say in the cover. So if I don't like the result...tough cookie.
Ah well, it's what's inside that matters, right?
Thanks for listening to my insecurity and have a wonderful Wednesday :)
I've been thinking about joining this group for a while now. I think I'm finally gonna do it :)
ReplyDeleteAnd it is what's on the inside that counts. :)
That would make me feel insecure too. Having no say in the matter means you're jsut going have to take it, good or bad. Lets hope it's good.
ReplyDeletemood
@Cassie and Moody: You two are really quick commenters. I was still fixing the bugs in my post and bam, you guys commented.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that. Keep communications with him open because it is likely that the more he likes you and your work the more effort he will put in his artwork for you :)
ReplyDeleteTry to think positive, but I know it's easier said then done. Wishing you all good things in the New Year! Julie
ReplyDeleteI'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Hopefully, you'll be the 998th good cover that you like and not the 999th because that's just cutting it too close. Or 1000th that just falls apart.
ReplyDeleteMy post today is the opposite of the Insecure Writers. It's more of the I just don't care any more. Weird for me, huh?
I also wrote my "potential" acknowledgments page and mentioned you in it. :) See, you do make a difference.
You are courageous. I'm not sure I could give anything over to someone and leave myself with 'no say' in the matter. Did I say that out loud? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Surely that will come back to haunt me.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, it sounds like your due.
Just know that you are a great writer and writers know writing. Artists know art and what attracts readers. Trust that they know their profession as well as you do yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to tell you that I'm sure you're not the 1 in a thousand but I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteThe publishing house I'm with is the same only a few (or maybe one) cover designer and I really don't like all of them. So, I hope they do a good job with my cover.
I know covers matter to other people, but I never buy books based on what they look like. Though I would be embarrassed to read a book (in paperback at least) if there was some naked person on the cover. So unless he's drawing naked people for you then it'll probably be fine.
ReplyDeleteI think it could be a good time to touch base, now, before he starts. I'm sure that he would appreciate some input and you can work together as professionals to create something that you're both happy with.
ReplyDeleteWhy not? I can't see a downside to it.
Well, I hope it turns out better than you expect. It's tough when you don't have any input into the cover.
ReplyDeleteNot until February? Wow, that's late. I wondered why you didn't have a cover yet. I'm glad I at least had some input on my covers, although it was just a basic description and the artist did the rest. Stay optimistic that it will rock!
ReplyDeleteTry not to pre-worry about it. Remember my post about all the odd covers of books that were selling for unknown reasons. I believe you said luck was the main factor. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, there's always the 999 in 1000 chance it will be just fine. Sorry, I'm still feeling all that New Year's optimism. :)
ReplyDeleteI bet it will be awesome! But I can imagine it would be difficult to give up control of such a huge thing with your novel after having complete control over every word.
ReplyDeleteI'm fortunate to have an editor who runs covers by me before she selects the final one. I have heard horror stories, however, of covers with three armed men...and this was a romance novel not sci-fi!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a fantastic cover!
since I work in the publishing industry and love design, I also adore cover arts. I think you should fight with all your strength to get the best possible cover, it is extremely important especially in today's world when everything is judged by its cover. All details must be perfect, from the picture to fonts and colours and position of the letters on the cover. I'm sure they will accept your ideas and opinion even if you signed that agreement. Try to fight for it.
ReplyDeleteWell if you don't have any control over it try not to worry too much. Remember he wants the book to sell too so I'm sure he'll do his best. It might not be your vision but I'm sure it will work out well! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteI've been through this and totally get it. Cover art is one of the most difficult things to sit back and turn over control. I've got stories, but I won't share on a public forum. Just know I survived the 'situations' and so will you. :) In the end, all the cover art I've been pleased with, and so will you. I hope you had the opportunity to fill out a cover art sheet for the publisher.
ReplyDeleteCover art is one thing that authors usually have little to no control over. I hope it's an awesome cover!
ReplyDeleteI've always been told not to judge a book (or eBook) by its cover, but I do. You're right, of course: it's the insides that matter!
ReplyDeleteI think everybody worries over the cover art surprise. If your publisher has a reputation for mostly good cover art, then you will more than likely be thrilled with yours. I'm sending only positive thoughts your way! I'll read it even if the cover has a baboon picking his nose. :)
ReplyDeleteCover art is super scary. It can make or break a book. I feel the same way waiting for mine. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteI hope your cover art is spectacular, but I know what you mean. Cover art is so important (not as important as what's inside it, of course, but sometimes it can be the turning point of whether some people look inside the book or not). I think waiting for the cover art can be one of the scariest things about a book once it gets to the publication stage.
ReplyDeleteAs a former illustrator I know I'll have a hard time handing over the cover design reins should I ever find a publisher. As an illustrator, I believe books can and should be judged by their covers. This is going to be a bumpy ride.
ReplyDeleteI would worry about that too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts your way that it turns out just the way you want it to!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry.. I'm sure it will be awesome!! :)
ReplyDelete@Siv: I hear ya.
ReplyDelete@Empty Nest: I always think positive.
@Charity: I'll come by and check it out. You are always a rebel Ms. Bradford.
@farawayeyes: It's difficult but I figured why not? It's not like I was doing anything and it's not like publishers were beating my door down.
@Em-musing: Great writer? I don't know about that. I give it my all. It may be sufficient. "Great" is completely subjective.
@Clarissa: Oh I definitely am. I can't wait to see your cover.
@Grumpy: There will be no naked ppl.
@Deborah: I did touch base somewhat. He heard my idea and said he'd think about it. I wanted a simple cover with a spider sitting on a brick. He'll probably put ppl on the cover. I think the ppl he draws tend to look way too computerized.
@Miranda: Me too. I agree.
@Cindy: Luck is the main factor in sales. That is my opinion. I'm not speaking of sales. I'm speaking of personal satisfaction.
@L.G.: hahahah
@Tonja: I hope so. I shall embrace your optimism.
@Anne: Yes. You are fortunate.
@DEZMOND: I have no response for you. But good of you to have so much control. I don't have that kind of control.
@kmckendry: Yeah. You are right of course.
@Ciara: Your cover art has been good though. I'm almost done with Curse of Gremdon. I really like it...so filled with sexual tension. You naughty girl. But I love it.
@Nicole: I agree.
@Milo: I agree. Thanks for visiting.
@Brinda: A baboon would be out of place with the story. I hope there is no monkey.
@Cherie: I agree. Thanks for visiting.
@Stephen: I agree. Your truth is crystal clear.
@M.J.: Thank you. Perhaps I shall get lucky, eh?
@Johanna: Thank you. I have an app on my iPhone that is good for organizing "good thoughts".
@Writing: With that kind of optimism, I feel I could win the LOTTO. Thank you for being so nutty.
Repeat after me..."It will be awesome. It will be awesome."
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else, give it good thoughts! Throw in some pixie dust too and everything will be okay.
:)
I know just what you mean about being the 1 out of 100 that will get the plague, get the bum rap, get disappointed. Maybe you could improve your chances if you sent the artist samples of covers you like or point out ones he's already done that would be good models.
ReplyDeleteOH man - that is a good reason to be nervous. However - I think that you will end up with something fantastic. Talk to him about it, if you can, at least it might help you feel a little better. AND... be sure to post that cover when it's available! :)
ReplyDeleteI think if you really hate it, you could say something, but I bet it is pretty close to the vision you have in mind. Good luck - new follower :)
ReplyDeleteIt most certainly is not JUST about what's on the inside. Bad cover art will kill your book. I saw a copy of "The Red Badge Of Courage" once with the worst cover art, and although I'd never wanted to read that book in the first place, there was another reason not to.
ReplyDeleteMore pertinently, I saw a copy of a Harry Potter book with a terrible cover and I wouldn't have bought that book, EVEN KNOWING it was Harry Potter.
So whether or not the contract gives you the right, I say you make sure the cover LOOKS GOOD. If you have to, tell them that some random commenter on the internet made a very cogent point about that very subject.
I hope you like it, then! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDelete@Mina: Maybe that will work. I'll give it a try.
ReplyDelete@Helena: I think Deron would just be irritated by that.
@Leigh: I shall. Your optimism is like radiant sunshine.
@Briane: How can I trust you when I know you think everyone should lie? Just kidding. Yeah yeah yeah...artwork shmartwork.
@Elana: Thanks for the support and for coming by miss E.J.
I absolutely agree, covers are important! I admit to picking up a book because the cover "made me." And if the blurb intrigued me, I bought it. Remember all those amazing Yes records? I'm sure Roger Dean had something to do with the sales. He certainly influenced the ALL the visuals in the movie Avatar.
ReplyDeleteI also bought the DVD U-turn because of the hot cover. Mistake.
Oh, being that you're from the future, could I count on you to vet some possible friends that may venture into my life? :) ...Long story.
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to be stuck with a bad cover, but the good thing is, your artist knows your story and should be able to come up with something that represents it well.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're going to have any trouble finding an audience for your book...
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to focus on the one thing that's bothering you, but that's what you have to do. Focus on the positive aspects--YOUR BOOK IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!
If you end up hating the cover art, I'm sure it'll be fodder for many interesting blog posts.
How did you get bugs in your post? And how do you fix them? Or is that "fix" like in "I'm gonna fix you!"?
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad you couldn't have Rusty do your art...
dude! Stop that worrying right this instance! I mean, chances are, the covers is going to be awesome and you'll love it! So no need to worry about it unless it turns out otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI can't blame you, but then again, as writer's we're also control freaks. Interesting how your publisher's CEO is also the cover designer, though.
ReplyDeleteBut chances are, you will love what he comes up with.
I have to come up with own dang ideas & then figure out how to execute them using paint.net, stockart and my friend with photoshop. Can't wait for the day I can have someone else do it...maybe. Honestly, I enjoy doing the covers. It's like my therapy.
ReplyDeleteI think it'll end up being an awesome cover. We'll start a positive mantra. "It will be awesome. It will be awesome." I really look forward to reading it.
I hope it turns out okay. I do have input on my covers, although I discovered the less say I had in it, the better they turned out. Fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard having your name to attached to something that you don't love. A bad cover could be crushing. Still, until proven otherwise, I'll believe it's going to be awesome.
ReplyDeleteI am a firm believer in the Even Steven rule of life. So just to be sure that things go well with the book cover, I'd recommend having a really bad experience in February so that you'll be do a good one.
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand your fear here... so many readers judge books by the cover, it's pretty important.. .Sorry, not trying to freak you out more:) I'm sure you're cover will be pretty awesome:)
ReplyDeleteGeez, I wish I had THAT insecurity! But I do get it. A lot of buyers are attracted first by the cover art. First impressions are everything, or at least dang important.
ReplyDeleteYa know, sometimes even a bad cover can turn into something good. There's an awesome example of a romance author who ended up with a cover featuring a three armed heroine. The author owned that cover rather than let it melt her down and it helped her in the long run. Stay positive Michael!
ReplyDeleteI think as long as a person has a valid reason for not liking a cover, it's always worth it to at least try and have a conversation about it with the editor. Ultimately tho, the publisher, provided they are reputable, will look at the cover through a filter of what their destributors are looking for and find sells best, and so some trust is needed. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will all work out. :)
Hope 2012is a great year for you!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
I'll keep my fingers crossed its very good - just to even up your odds a bit :)
ReplyDelete........dhole
I'm going to keep everything crossed for you. I so want it to be everything you hope for.
ReplyDeleteSo does this guy know you don't like some of his cover art? I guess if he reads your blog, he would know now. :)
ReplyDeleteI really hope it turns out well for you! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.