So much is taken for granted when we pick up a book.  We comment on the cover and often are attracted by it or remark on its lack of appeal.  Just like in most areas of the book making process (no, not that book making process!) we are ignorant of the steps taken to get that cover on the book. I thought it would be fun to share the evolution of a book cover with you.

For starters, the covers I will show you are for the second in the “Crazy Aunt Purl” book series which is based on the wildy popular blog by Laurie Perry (blogmistress extraordinaire) crazyauntpurl.com.

Here’s that cover:

Exhibit "A"

Ok, now that we’ve got that established, let’s take a look at some of the versions that led up to Laurie Perry’s book, Home is Where the Wine Is. You’ll have to wait until January to buy it in the store, (but no one ever said you couldn’t pre-order it online… ).

First, the editor on the book (Allison Janse) and HCI’s art director (Larissa Henoch) meet to discuss the concept of the book.  Their goal is to create a kick-ass, show-stopping cover that calls to you from the bookshelf even from a distance. They want it to say “hold me, caress me,buy me, buy me, buy two!” Then they want it to relate to the first book, provide a thread of continuity so people will remember the first book when viewing the second.

Next, Larissa and her team mock up a variety of visual ideas and present them to that gnarly team of HCI staff called the editorial committee.  You already know that I have a seat in that room and get to call out my vote for or against.  Our opinions are so subjective when it comes to cover art that I find the review process sometimes startling. Taste is a very funny thing.

Here’s some early examples (pretend the covers are strewn across a blond laminated wood conference table):

Remember, we want the image to be attractive, relevant to the book’s content and of course, the type must be clear, readable and familiar…

Oh, I forgot to mention that sometimes the buyers of the books on the store level are privy to the cover choice. The sales folks show some samples and get their feedback. After all, if they don’t think they can sell it, we’d better go back to the virtual drawing board…

So, there you have it. You were just a fly on the wall of a cover meeting. If you preferred one of the losing covers, I apologize, but that will show you what I was talking about when I suggested the taste is subjective.

Oh, and I mustn’t forget to mention, authors of these books DO have a say when it comes to their cover.

Happy authors make for happiness all around. Laurie Perry is a pussycat.

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