Cover Talk with K.A. Barson

Today's guest for the CRAP (Cover Reveal Anxiety Phase) is fellow Class of 2k13 member K.A. Barson, author of 45 POUNDS, MORE OR LESS, a YA title about Ann, whose perfectly thin mother never had to diet in her life... while Ann struggles to keep from bubbling over into a size 18.

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Did you have any pre-conceived notions about what you wanted your cover to look like?

Not really. As a reader, I don’t like covers that do not depict the main character, so I did not want a thin, blond girl on the cover. Other than that, I trusted Penguin. This is not their first rodeo, but it is mine.

How far in advance from your pub date did you start talking covers with your house?

I talked about it with my editor probably about a year before release. She agreed that she wanted the cover to depict the story. We tossed around ideas about a girl behind a dressing room door with dresses all around and only her feet and lower calves showing. I actually like the final design of a girl behind a pile of dresses better though. 

Did you have any input on your cover?

I’d had that conversation with my editor. I knew that authors really don’t have input, but they really listened to what I wanted… or more like what I didn’t want. 

How was your cover revealed to you?

My editor emailed it to me. 

Was there an official "cover reveal" date for your art?

Yes. I did a cover reveal and giveaway with YABC in November. 

How far in advance of the reveal date were you aware of what your cover would look like?

A few weeks. 

Was it hard to keep it to yourself before the official release?

Yes. I’m not good at keeping secrets. I’m pretty much an open book, so I wanted my book cover to be out in the open, too. I’m glad I didn’t have to wait too long. 

What surprised you most about the process?

I was surprised how much Penguin/Viking cared. Yes, I always knew it wasn’t just my book, but they really wanted the best cover and title and everything. The details of color and design and font were better than anything I could have envisioned. 

Any advice to other debut authors about how to handle cover art anxiety?

Relax. Publishing houses want your cover to be perfect as much as you do, and they have amazingly talented people doing it. 

 

Cover Talk with Tara Sullivan

Today's guest for the CRAP (Cover Reveal Anxiety Phase) is fellow Class of 2k13 member Tara Sullivan, author of GOLDEN BOY. Tara is a debut MG author, and I had the pleasure of meeting her (plus quite a few of my other 2k13 classmates!) this weekend at ALA!

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Did you have any pre-conceived notions about what you wanted your cover to look like?

I had imagined a figure-based cover. Maybe Habo on the road, or sitting under an acacia tree… something that gave setting. Instead, I got a face-dominated cover which reveals character. SUCH a good call on the part of my art team!

How far in advance from your pub date did you start talking covers with your house?

About 9 months before my release date.

Did you have any input on your cover?

Yes! More than I expected I would. Though I loved the concept from the start, the original sketches had Habo looking angrier and showed less detail of his face. I asked for his expression to be softened (he’s really not an angry kid) and for Jesse (that would be Jesse Joshua Watson, my amazing cover artist!) to include some more clues that Habo was a person with albinism. For the final version, Jesse added the sunspots under Habo’s eyes and his hair, and now Habo’s expression shows a wary vulnerability instead of aggression. I think it’s a stunning, powerful cover and I absolutely love it!

How was your cover revealed to you?

In an email, out of the blue! My heart was pounding when I opened that attachment, I can tell you.

I was also nervous because they had originally told me that they wanted me to change my title. But then, when I came back with some brainstormed second titles I was told they had come up with some art that might make my original title work. So when I opened that email it wasn’t just my cover on the line, it was my title too!

Was there an official "cover reveal" date for your art?

More or less. Once the art was finalized, my publisher told me when I could publicly share my cover. I had a cover reveal on iceybooks.com on October 23rd, 2012.

How far in advance of the reveal date were you aware of what your cover would look like?

Probably a few weeks.

Was it hard to keep it to yourself before the official release?

Yes. :)

Like any huge news, you want to share it right away. Especially since I loved so much where the cover ended up, I wanted to share it with the world!

What surprised you most about the process?

I think, having braced myself for being completely ignored, I was most surprised by the fact that my opinions were taken into consideration. I had read, and been told, that authors have almost no say in what their covers look like, so I had been ready for the worst.

Any advice to other debut authors about how to handle cover art anxiety?

Do not do your immediate-reaction-processing of your cover art out loud with anyone from your publishing house!

This was advice from my agent to me, and it was really good advice. Do your processing with your friends first, then, when you have a sense of what your feelings are, have a talk with your agent. You and s/he can then boil down all your squee or concerns into concise, professionally-worded points. These are what you should bring back to your publisher as feedback.

Interview with Demitria Lunetta

I'm lucky (or cunning) enough to have lured yet another successful writer over to my blog for an SAT - Successful Author Talk. SAT authors have conquered the query, slain the synopsis and attained the pinnacle of published. How'd they do it? Let's ask 'em!

Today's guest for the SAT (Successful Author Talk) is fellow Class of 2k13 member Demitria Lunetta, author IN THE AFTER. A Chicago native, she holds a BA in Human Ecology and has spent countless hours studying the many ways in which people are capable of bringing about their own destruction. In case the end is near, she always carries a good book and a chocolate bar--the two items essential for post-apocalyptic survival.

Are you a Planner or Pantster?

I actually don't have a set writing process. Sometimes I outline, sometimes I don't. It really depends on how complicated a plot I’m working with and how many characters in the story. I have a strangely high capacity for remembering small details…awesome for writing but bad for the people who borrow books from my home library. You know who you are. I’m coming for that copy of GAME OF THRONES you borrowed last year.

How long does it typically take you to write a novel, start to finish?

IN THE AFTER took four months to write. It was at a time I could completely focus on writing. If I have a lot going on in my life it takes anywhere from six months to a year. I also have side projects that I think about for years before even acting on them…so I guess I’m saying anywhere from a few months to a lifetime.

Do you work on one project at a time, or are you a multi tasker?

I like to work on one project, but think about others. I have too much of a wild imagination to completely shut out other project distractions.

Did you have to overcome any fears that first time you sat down to write?

I don’t remember having a first time. I started “writing” in kindergarten, making up elaborate stories involving characters from the movies I’d watched…one involved the characters from the Wizard of Oz meeting Ewoks. Clearly my imagination knows no fear.

How many trunked books (if any) did you have before you were agented?

I tried to query a fantasy novel a few years ago that only got rejections. I loved that book and it was hard to move on, but I decided I had to keep going forward. In case all the rejections were because of a problem with my query I decided to do a ton of research on successful queries. The work paid off when I tried to query a travel book. Unfortunately, that was also when the economy was in the gutter so it was a no go for travel books. My third time was the charm though, and to be honest, even if I didn’t get an agent for IN THE AFTER I would have moved on to the next project and kept trying, always examining what I could do better. The only way to fail is to give up. Yes, it’s very THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD, but it’s the truth, and that won’t be the last POLLYANNA statement I make.

Have you ever quit on an ms, and how did you know it was time?

I don’t know if quitting is the right word, but I’ve definitely put MS away for another day. Sometimes things need to sit for a few years and be revisited. You should definitely put aside an MS if you’re stuck or simply sick of it. You don’t want to start to hate what you’re working on.

Who is your agent and how did you get that "Yes!" out of them? 

My agent is Katherine Boyle with Veritas Literary and I sent her a traditional query letter after researching her on the AAR website.

How long did you query before landing your agent?  

For IN THE AFTER I queried for about a month before I got my first offer. I then contacted the eight or so agents who had partials and fulls and let them know I was offered representation. I got three passes and five “Holy crap, I’d better hurry up and read so you can make your decision!” Then I spoke to those five agents and chose the one I thought best suited me.

Any advice to aspiring writers out there on conquering query hell?

Time for me to channel POLLYANNA again…Don’t take rejection personally. Writing is extremely subjective and a hundred no responses can come before that one important yes. All you need is one agent who believes in your work. Keep trying! Also, chocolate helps.

How did that feel, the first time you saw your book for sale?

At the time of writing this I haven’t seen my book but I imagine it will go something like this:
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeee! I may have to be escorted from the book store.

How much input do you have on cover art?

I knew I wanted my cover to be dark/creepy/eerie but other than that I let Harper Teen do what they do.

What's something you learned from the process that surprised you?

This may sound naïve, but I didn’t realize I would get bound advance copies. I mean, I knew they existed and that reviewers got them to read, but when I opened the box of ARCs I was beside myself.

How much of your own marketing do you?  

I think it’s important to market your own book as much as you can on social media sites and connect with readers. I have a blog, a Facebook page, and I'm on Twitter.

When do you build your platform? After an agent? Or should you be working before?

You should definitely start building your platform before you get an agent. Blog and tweet to share your experiences and follow other aspiring writers. You’ll be amazed at the sense of community.

Do you think social media helps build your readership?

Yes! Social media is a good way to connect with readers. Believe me, I was hesitant at first. I thought “Why should I be on twitter…who gives a crap about what I have to say?” But I’ve completely changed my tune. My blog, twitter, facebook, they’re all places for readers to find you and your book.