Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Cover Art - Thoughts?

I was looking at cover art the other day, trying to decide which book I wanted to spend my hard earned dollars on. Now, I am a self-avowed cover whore. I love me some pretty bodies in sexy positions. I got so excited when I saw the new Lust Bite covers and decided I wanted one. I know, goofy. Meh.

Then I was helping Megan with a cover. She wanted the thing to look just right and was in the process of filling out the form. And seeing her in action made me wonder. When we get the honor of inputting on cover art, what info is the right info and how do we make sure we're giving the poor cover artist the proper info to make the cover exactly what we thought it should be?

Now I am no expert on cover art creation. I do my best on my self pubbed free reads with picasa and a lot of trial and error. I give all the cover artists out there a lot of credit. It's HARD to create a pretty, eye-catching cover.

But when are we driving the cover artist crazy or just inputting the right ideas to make the cover pop?

I had one friend tell me the cover artist was thrilled when she sent along links for what she thought the characters should look like. Thrilled. Another said she'd done the same thing and the artist was mighty irked. Another friend had the cover done, but objected to the colors (ancient Greeks NEVER wore THAT color). Or there's the angel debate. How do you make the angle not look like he's got turkey wings on his back?

Now, before I go any further, I've seen my share of objectionable cover art. I realize that said, those covers are in the eye of the beholder. What I may not like might be the apple of the author's eye. Then again, what I think is beautiful might disgust other authors.

I just wonder sometimes if I'm being too pushy by saying I want this and this, but absolutely not this. Does that help the artist or hinder creativity? The guy can be built, but no furry chests. Does that really make a huge difference?

I still don't know the answer, so I'll go on wondering. Thoughts?

5 comments:

Kemberlee said...

No matter what anyone says, I think an attractive cover helps sell a book. If a cover isn't attractive, I wonder what kind of care has gone into editing and the story itself.

I think a cover should reflect the story as well.

I've been doing my fair share of cover art lately and it's not an easy job coming up with just . . . the . . . right . . . images. But it all comes out in the end :-)

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Thanks Kemberlee! You make a great point. ;-) It is hard.

Kemberlee said...

OMG, Did I? Which one? I need to know so I can do it again ;-)

virg_nelson said...

I think if we are asked for input we should give as much as possible. Without the 'absolutely not' kind of comments, the cover may reflect nothing of the story within. No, books aren't purchased based solely on the cover art but that is how we catch the readers eye. If they aren't curious, based on the cover, how many will read the blurb? Plus... I also just LIKE pretty covers. When I get emailed coverart, it is like Christmas and my birthday, all rolled into one click of my mouse. LOL

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Kemberlee, you crack me up! Love you!
Virg - Absolutely. The visit from the Cover Faery is so one of the best days of the year! And yeah, I LIKE a pretty cover. It makes me say, gee, I don't know that author, but I want to know more about the book because that cover grabbed me.