Susanna Carr is here today to talk about cover art. Her new release, Wicked Wonderland, is available now. You need to go forth and check it out.
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I’m often asked if I have any control over the cover art of my books. Not really. As an example, this is my involvement with the cover art for Wicked Wonderland.
About a month or two before my manuscript is due, my editor contacts me when she’s preparing for the cover conference on the book. She asks if I have any ideas for the cover and if I have any sample material like a plot description. The reason she needs a plot description is because she hasn’t seen any of the manuscript yet.
My editor shares the plot description with the art department at the cover conference. The other authors are also asked for plot descriptions and cover ideas. Everyone who attends the conference has a few ideas on what they want for the cover art.
So what kind of cover art did I want? Here are the two suggestions I gave:
1. Snow background, couple in a clinch. The woman is wearing a luxurious, red winter coat. He’s pushing it off her and it’s obvious she’s wearing very little underneath.
2. A bare-chested man sprawled invitingly on a pile of wrapped presents.
As you can tell, they decided to go in another direction. I don’t know what other ideas were presented at the cover conference, or how many versions the artist had to go through before coming up with the cover that everyone at the publishing house agreed upon. What I do know is that the cover immediately tells the reader what kind of stories can be found in this anthology.
Months after the cover conference, my editor e-mailed an image of the approved cover and she asked for my opinion. What did I think? It has a hot guy half-naked on the cover. What’s not to like?
It’s very rare that my cover art suggestions will find their way to the final product, but I’m always glad that my editor is willing to listen to my ideas!I’m often asked if I have any control over the cover art of my books. Not really. As an example, this is my involvement with the cover art for Wicked Wonderland.
About a month or two before my manuscript is due, my editor contacts me when she’s preparing for the cover conference on the book. She asks if I have any ideas for the cover and if I have any sample material like a plot description. The reason she needs a plot description is because she hasn’t seen any of the manuscript yet.
My editor shares the plot description with the art department at the cover conference. The other authors are also asked for plot descriptions and cover ideas. Everyone who attends the conference has a few ideas on what they want for the cover art.
So what kind of cover art did I want? Here are the two suggestions I gave:
1. Snow background, couple in a clinch. The woman is wearing a luxurious, red winter coat. He’s pushing it off her and it’s obvious she’s wearing very little underneath.
2. A bare-chested man sprawled invitingly on a pile of wrapped presents.
As you can tell, they decided to go in another direction. I don’t know what other ideas were presented at the cover conference, or how many versions the artist had to go through before coming up with the cover that everyone at the publishing house agreed upon. What I do know is that the cover immediately tells the reader what kind of stories can be found in this anthology.
Months after the cover conference, my editor e-mailed an image of the approved cover and she asked for my opinion. What did I think? It has a hot guy half-naked on the cover. What’s not to like?
It’s very rare that my cover art suggestions will find their way to the final product, but I’m always glad that my editor is willing to listen to my ideas!
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I always love listening to authors talk about how their covers came to be.
Susanna has offered a copy of Wicked Wonderland to one lucky reader. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you think of the cover and you’ll be entered to win. Ends 11/19 @ 11:59pm.
Congratulations, Susanna! What a delightfully delicious cover for “Wicked Wonderland”! That finely-filled out fellow in the fur-trimmed cap looks ready to romp ; ) I do believe he would really enjoy some sugar plums, sweet treats, and naughty nibbles–just like any “Bad Santa”!
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
I love this cover.Very sexy.
A buff Santa 😉
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
I buy a book for a very good story with a great plot and characters. Sometimes I find that the cover art can some times hold no relevance to the book. I tend to like Julia Quinn novels that set the scene but leave the imagination for the rest up to the reader. However, your cover guy is HOT and who doesn’t like to look at great looking males when they fit the story.
This book had already been on my WL before I even saw the cover, just because Susanna was part of it!
I just finished the book this weekend and the cover isn’t as hot as the book! Yow-za!!
If you haven’t picked it up yet, DO SO!!
Love the cover! Hot guys are always good.
Love the cover. Red is very eyecatching.
Had heard about this book and would love to win a copy.
I absolutely love the cover – you know immediately what the story is about! the fire in the background is eye-catching and the guy is hot! def have to put it on top of my wishlist 🙂
greetings, Ina
I like the cover!
chey127 at hotmail dot com
Hello,
I have to say that is not how I usually picture Santa, but it does draw your attention. In my opinion, I always like book covers with a shirtless, sexy guy on the cover. Congrats on the new release and thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I don’t think there will be any problems moving the book with this cover, Susanna! I enjoyed reading about the process of your input to the design. Thanks.
I was always told Santa was an old man with white hair and and beard! The cover of this book makes me wonder if I was lied to! It is a gorgeous cover and so apt for the holidays.
GFC follower
kissinoak at frontier dot com
Yum, what’s not to like? I wish my hubster looked like that in a Santa suit LOL.
jen(at)delux(dot)com
I think the cover is hot! I would not stick this santa back up the chimney! LOL! Thanks for sharing!
I love, love, LOVE the cover and not only because Paul Marron is my favorite cover model! (okay, maybe it’s a big part of the reason – that body and that smile – *sigh*)
ironss[at]gmail.com
Susanna,
That is great that you get to share your ideas for your covers and that your opinion is valued. LOL I liked your suggestions for a Christmas/Holiday cover. With that said, I love the Wicked Wonderland cover – it’s very catchy. The red and bare-chested guy definitely draw attention!
Wicked Wonderland sounds awesome and is on the top of my wishlist for holiday reads.
Pam S
I love all 3 authors so the cover is icing on the cake. I love red for a cover anytime, not just at Christmas. This cover is gorgeous.
lol I believe that santa could deliver a fantastic xmas present. Love the cover and book sounds fantabulous
lol I believe that santa could deliver a fantastic xmas present. Love the cover and book sounds fantabulous
Congrats on the new release and the lovely cover, Susanna. I can always appreciate a nice cover, doesn’t matter if it’s scenery of a headless torso.
Great cover.Very sexy. 🙂
Love the cover it is bold in both color and context. LOL. Cant wait to read it.
Helen L.
I love the cover so sexy – it really catches your eye.
Natalie’s Mama
Well it looks like your Santa and my Santa are the same one. LOL. This is how my Santa looks in my dreams. Very sexy and I’ll take one of him for Christmas. Good choice.
Lynn R.
I do free lance graphic design for a romance publisher. We are still small, so there is a lot more individual work. I certainly don’t participate in any conferences 🙂 Also, our covers tend to be finalized much closer to the release date. Here is what I do:
1) I request the rough manuscript from the acquisitions editor, and I read it.
2) I ask the marketing associate to contact the author to get the author’s insight into what they wanted in a cover.
3) I take my ideas and the authors ideas and come up with 5-8 cover concepts.
4) I present these covers to the marketing director, and 3 final options are selected.
5) The marketing associate presents the author with the three selections, and the author is allowed to choose the one they prefer.
Awesome cover. Cannot wait to read the book. Holiday books are always a great read.
Helen M.
Who won?