I love talking to my fellow authors. Our experiences are so similar, yet so very different, that every one of us has a new story to share. Everyone says that the moment you get your cover it really hits you - you're an author. The cover is your story - and you - packaged for the world. So the process of the cover reveal can be slightly panic inducing. Does it fit your story? Is it what you hoped? Will it sell? With this in mind I put together the CRAP (Cover Reveal Anxiety Phase) Interview.
Today's guest is my fellow Friday the Thirteener Kasie West, author of PIVOT POINT available February 12th, 2013 from HarperTeen!
Did you have any pre-conceived notions about what you wanted your cover to look like?
Yes! And this fact terrified me. I had a very clear picture of what I thought would be an awesome cover.
How far in advance from your pub date did you start talking covers with your house?
It was October of last year. So what is that? 16 months before my pub date? That’s a long time.
Did you have any input on your cover?
Yes. Like I mentioned in question one, I had a very clear picture in my head which I spelled out word for word to my editor. Ha. She was very patient with me. My cover isn’t like the picture in my head but they did use the basic concept and then made it a lot cooler than I imagined.
How was your cover revealed to you?
I had gone to New York with my husband who was traveling for business and was able to meet my agent and editor for lunch. My editor surprised me with a mounted picture of my cover. Do you know how when you’re opening presents in front of people and you feel like you have to be extra animated and grateful? Like, “Oh, who got me the nose hair trimmer? It’s exactly what I wanted!!” That’s how I felt as I was getting ready to open my cover in front of my editor and agent. Lucky for me, it was exactly what I wanted.
Was there an official "cover reveal" date for your art?
No, there wasn’t. I knew it would be about six-eight months before my publication date, but I had no idea when exactly.
How far in advance of the reveal date were you aware of what your cover would look like?
I saw my cover for the first time December of 2011. So about 14 months before my pub date.
Was it hard to keep it to yourself before the official release?
Yes! And then after a while I kept forgetting that other people hadn’t seen it yet. Then I thought it wasn’t going to be as exciting to reveal it because it had been sitting on my shelf for six months. But I was wrong. It was still very exciting.
What surprised you most about the process?
How much I loved my cover.
Any advice to other debut authors about how to handle cover art anxiety?
Deep knee bends?? No, that would only make you sore. I guess my advice is to be vocal. If you have good ideas, share them. If something about your cover bothers you, speak up.