Did you ever wonder how a cover is created? I've shared the process that a traditional publisher follows and will do so again, but today I'd like to take you behind the scenes for the creation of the cover for Pamela Trawick's debut novel,
Walking Between the Stones.
Since a key scene in the book involves a labyrinth, Pamela wanted the cover to include one. She provided talented cover designer and best-selling author
L.A. Sartor with a photo of the labyrinth that had inspired the story.
It's an interesting labyrinth, but I couldn't imagine how L.A. would turn this into a cover. Fortunately, L.A. is a master at Photoshop, not to mention a gifted artist. Though she was on a writing retreat, supposed to be working on her next book, she spent hours and hours and hours on the cover.
Here's the first version:
There are a few problems with this, the first of which is the type font. When I suggested using Comic Sans Serif, L.A. warned me that it wouldn't work. She was right. The second problem was that Pamela didn't like the gray sky.
Undaunted, L.A. changed the font and inserted sky from a picture she'd taken at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Many of us liked this cover, but Pamela didn't. She had two very good reasons for being concerned about the sky. The first was that the dark blue on the left made it difficult to read the letters. The second was that the sky didn't mirror the tone of the book, which is lighter than readers might expect.
Instead of simply saying that she wasn't pleased with the cover, Pamela took a picture of the sky outside her San Jose condo and suggested L.A. use it.
Once again L.A. went back to Photoshop and spent hours getting the sky just right.
That was what the cover needed. The lighter sky provided more contrast with the title, while the lighter clouds speak of hope.
And so, after many iterations and many, many hours of work, we had a finished cover.
Do you like it? I do. Even more importantly, Pamela does.
To learn more about
Walking Between the Stones or to order a copy, click here:
Amazon
Amanda, Pamela and Leslie--I love the combined effort you all made to create the cover of Walking Between the Stones. Pamela, I'm so glad you've been able to see your dream come true. Amanda, thanks for coordinating the effort. Leslie, thanks for your many hours of work to get the cover design just right. God has been faithful and good throughout the process. I pray God's blessings will continue to go forward over the next months.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking for myself, I can honestly say it was a blessing to work on this project.
DeleteAmanda, it was fun to see the versions of the cover in an easy chronological layout. I was honored that you asked me to participate so Pamela's book could be read by the world.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post and your incredibly kind words.
Hugs, Leslie Ann
The thanks go to you for your gifts of time and talent.
DeleteFabulous team effort. Having done a number of covers myself, I know how hard it can be. But you've all got great instincts and came up with a gorgeous finished product that conveys exactly what you wanted to say with a cover. Congratulations on both the project and the beautiful cover!!!
ReplyDeleteKayce -- High praise coming from you. Thanks so much!
DeleteI enjoyed looking at the process for the cover. I'm sharing it on my FB page. Cheers
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the post, Marilyn. This was the most involved I've been in a cover design, and I found the process fascinating.
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