Monday, March 5, 2018

Creating a Cover

by Judy Penz Sheluk

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to creating a cover? While I expect the process varies by publisher, Barking Rain Press, the press behind my Glass Dolphin Mystery series, offers a collaborative approach between artist, author, editor, and proofreader. Here's a look at the various incarnations behind A HOLE IN ONE, which, as luck would have it, is being released in trade paperback and eBook tomorrow. (All links at the bottom of this post, should you be so kind as to pre-order/order it for your library).





In this first version, the artist, Stephanie Bibbs Flint, tried to mirror the Treasontini (Blueberry Martini) from THE HANGED MAN'S NOOSE. While the drink was important to the plot of NOOSE, there were no martinis in A HOLE IN ONE. Besides, I really, really, hate the taste of olives.


We all liked the window overlooking the golf course, but the dark splotch in the right hand corner didn't work for any of us, and that darned drink was still in the picture. But we were getting closer. As for the title, could we, I asked, make the O in ONE look like a bullet hole?









A cornice was added to the window...a good concept, but a bit too busy. We liked the text placement, though, and I liked the addition of the score card. The gun and the drawing on the napkin are also important to the story. And we have our bullet hole!










The final cover, front and back, before the text.



AND FINALLY...THE BIG REVEAL! 






The final front cover: A dark green cornice, a view of the golf course, our bullet hole in ONE, and a brighter pink font for my name, to pull from the fuchsia flowers outside the window.









The back cover design, with text.
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A HOLE IN ONE is currently available for pre-order and will be released in print and eBook on March 6, 2018 at all the usual suspects, including:


AMAZON

BARNES &NOBLE

KOBO

iTUNES

GOOGLEPLAY

And

BARKING RAIN PRESS

2 comments:

  1. Congratz on publication of your book. Helpful information on book covers.

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