Dame Kaz
Covers… ah, how we love them. And how a newbie author fears them when it’s time to start discussing the cover for her debut novel. 
As my editor said to me the other day, this should be “the fun part” – the part where I get to give my input as to the sort of cover I’d like to see for The Iron Witch. One of the many benefits of being published by an imprint like Flux is that I’ve actually been asked what kind of cover I’m dreaming of… This is very unusual in publishing, and I’m grateful that my voice will go into the mix when the time comes for the art department to begin work. However. I also know that this is just me giving some input; maybe sending in a few ideas and inspirations. There is no guarantee that anything I have in mind will be anywhere close to the cover that we end up with.
Still, it is kind of fun trawling through Amazon and various book blogs to check out cool covers that I like.
On the other hand… it’s scary, because to be perfectly honest I have no idea what I want. Heh. Seriously, even if I was allowed to choose and personally direct the art department I’d be completely stuck. Not because I don’t have an imagination or I haven’t seen other covers that I love or because I don’t know my own book well enough… but because I am honestly just happy to even have a book deal. I know so many people struggling to find homes for their books, or struggling to find an agent to represent their work, or even having to start their careers over because things didn’t work out so well the first time around. Publishing is a tough business to break into.* (And even tougher to stay employed in, but that’s another story!) Anyway, I’m just saying that my dream was to have my book – and hopefully many more – published. I didn’t look beyond that to think about something that seemed as off-the-wall as actually having a cover. I mean, that’s just crazy talk!
So… now that I have the task of checking out the kind of cover I’d like to have – and now that I’ve discussed this with my editor and we’re ‘on the same page’ re. what we’d both like to see (roughly) – I get to look through pretty pictures and cover art and call it RESEARCH. Nice!
As far as I can figure out, there are – very broadly – three different types of cover.
1) Simple background (often black) with focus on one object:
2a) Illustrated with people:
2b) Illustrated with… other stuff:
3) Photographic using models, whether done with a photoshoot or stock images:
Often these include contemporary YA books such as the following, with the photo-realism of their covers:
And then of course, there’s the combination of photoshoot with stylized artwork/font:
I know I’m missing out a ton of stuff here (and have also focused on YA books), but this is the way I have to think about it right now – in general terms. Photo, image, illustration? What kind of atmosphere or tone?
So what sorts of covers do you like? Let me know in comments – I need help!
*Please note, if I can do it so can you! I just have to say that. Yes, it is very hard work – and some luck is probably going to be involved somewhere – but if you want to be a published author keep at it and don’t give up! 
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Tags: Karen Mahoney
The covers that most capture me are the photographic ones combined with stylized work/font. I also, always seem to go for covers with models on them too. (A quick glance at my bookshelf convinced me *g*). One theme I have noticed with models too – is the face being cut off, half visible, half not. I’m liking the effect as it leaves the imagination of the reader to build on the characters appearance themselves.
Some upcoming covers I am digging of these types include Marjorie M. Liu’s A Wild Light, Kresley Cole’s Demon from the Dark, Larissa Ione’s Sin Undone but I also adore Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Kiss cover and Kelly Gay’s upcoming The Darkest Edge of Dawn.
I tend to like cover with people mixed with other elements so it’s artistic and not just a photograph. Sometimes covers reach out and grab like Steamed by Katie MacAlister–the colors are so cool. Rachel Vincent’s covers are always really neat. I’m not much help am I? I can’t imagine how exciting yet stressful it must be to get to that point that someone wants your input on the cover. I can imagine being completely speechless or endlessly rambling. BAHAHAHAHAHA
I like the illustrated or the main character on the front. For me one of the biggest things is to be able to tell the books apart at a glance. With most of the cover art changing I have accidentally purchased the same book with multiple times, it bugs me that I don’t have room to keep them all.
INCiDeNT: I do like covers where faces are obscured or side on, if you see what I mean; but I don’t know about the ones where heads are chopped off… Some are okay, but they’re not my favourites. Oh, I ADORE both of Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter covers. <3
Brenda H.: LOL! That's okay, you're helping just by being here. Yes, it's a combination of excitement and sheer terror… that about sums it up. *g*
Jess, I am really curious – what do you mean you’ve purchased the same book more than once (by mistake)? Oh, I think I see! Do you mean like if covers get updated for a new edition? Yeah, sometimes a series gets a whole new look and then older books are reissued with the new cover.
Illustrated with otherstuff and the combination of photoshoot with stylized artwork/font. I’d only thought about book covers once or twice and I’d have no clue which I’d pick until I’d seen them. The cover would have to speak to me. My husband let me choose my wedding ring. It spoke to me and I would have no other. I still love that ring and we’ve been married almost 9 years.
I like the people mixed with elements, or just people but with the right color and background.
Plain background with a word is okay, but you just don’t get a real feel for what the story will be about.
I think a person is best because it sort of gives you the image of the MC or whoever and with the right background, whether with something in it or just a color can make all the difference. It depends on what kinds of elements are involved with your book to determine which might be better.
As opposed to using real people versus an illustrated kind, that’s tough. Either one can work, depending on what the story will be about can sometimes help. Or if there are no models who match your MC’s description an illustration model would also work.
The covers that appeal to me the most are the 2b ones (illustrated with other stuff).
I’m also a 2b fan (illustrated with other stuff). I like those kinds of covers the most because they’re interesting to look at and convey the mood of the story, but leave the actual details up to the reader’s imagination. I personally don’t like covers that show what characters look like, though partial-faces don’t bother me as much. I guess I prefer when I have to do most of the imagining on my own.
I personally like the illustrated with people the best. In real life I tend to like scenery pictures the best, but in a book I like getting an idea of the MC based off of the cover. And the ones I like best combine the two.
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Oh, cool. This is fun.
I prefer ones where the title is easily read and the rest of the cover is dark jewel tones. I love rich colors.
I like people, real or illustrated, and I love small details that give a hint about the story. I actually, study covers before I read a book to see what I can figure out from them–so obviously I dislike misleading covers.
row #1 and #2 appeal to me the most.
and I prefer covers with guys on them =)
No headless covers if it can be avoided! Those are so frustrating. I do like photgraphic covers/photo realisim a lot (as long as it’s not whitewashed. meh). I also really like photoshoot with stylized artwork.
All the covers you mention have redeeming qualities. I’m confident you and the art department will come up with something awesome. Sorry if this wasn’t helpful, I’ll check back again later to see if I can help further!
Personally, I’d love to see a book of mine with a cover that is either Illustrated with People or Photographed with People.
As a reader, I like the visual reference of the character.
How exciting for you!!! What a fantastic opportunity.
I, personally, am not a fan of photographic covers. I like forming my own image of a character, although an artistic painting/image sometimes catches my interest. I really prefer artistic covers that convey a hint of some significant plot point, or some sort of symoblic image. I like covers that offer a glimpse at the tone of the book – something atmospheric, you know?
In any case, I CANNOT wait to see your cover!!!
Simply adore the Strange Angels covers (3), and was blown away the first time I saw Jenna Black’s Glimmerglass and Devil’s Playground covers.
But, don’t ask us – it’s your cover!
Ooh, I like all sorts of covers. Although, I have to say, I really like the ones with photographed models. I don’t know why. Although, any cover can be beautiful, even in its simplicity. Good luck with your cover!
I’ve really started to get into a writing routine, and hearing someone cheering me on…well, it’s really encouraging.
And thanks for that last bit.
Hmmm, this is a hard question. I never really questioned myself why I click on the covers, I do, when I browse amazon for example. It’s just this split second, where you think. “OOOOOOOH! This cover makes me want to know the story of the book.” Looking at my wishlist and previous purchases, it seems that I’m more taken by books with people on them, be it pictures or illustrations, that doesn’t matter.
My favourite covers at the moment, I think, are…
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black, Fallen by Lauren Kate, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (I can smell an angel theme here, hehe)… but there’s so many beautiful ones out there. =)
The Perchant of Dream cover you posted looks like something I’d love to check out, too, though.
Good luck with your cover, I’m sure it’ll be fabulous and I can’t wait to see it!
I like covers with parts of faces if they’re photographs..because I like to have my own picture of what the characters look like in my head. Weirdly, I don’t mind full faces so much in illustrated/painted covers. Otherwise, I don’t really mind as long as it’s striking (particularly for a new author).
Looking forward to seeing yours, Kaz : )
Here are two ideas…
1. An Eyeball
2. A photo of Me!
Either will take your novel to the next level… or not. I guarantee you’ll sell at least ONE book!
Honestly… covers like Beautiful Creatures or Wake work best for me. I don’t like to see characters on the cover… maybe a portion (like an eyeball), but let my imagination create the character.
For TIW… I hope you incorporate something other than black… something metallic would be awesome!
For your book, I like the Lisa Manchev style. Romantic in the original sense.
But maybe with a little contemporary twist of some kind.
Karen, it is more looking for a new book and I’m normally in a rush, seeing the author who I like grabbing the book not really reading the title. It is normally after I get a few pages in that I realize that I already have this one and read it. I get really frustrated when I purchase the ‘next in the series’ to find out that I now have two copies of the early books and not the newest one that I have been waiting impatiently for.
Jess: Right, I see what you mean. Thanks for clarifying – that *does* sound frustrating!
Trish: Hmm… That sounds nice. *dreams*
I tend to dislike covers with fully visible people on them, because it skews my imagination’s version of the characters a little bit, especially in crazy cases like the Liar fiasco. I just read Beautiful Creatures, Hush, Hush and Shiver and loved all those covers, though Beautiful Creatures wins for having purple. I also love Lisa McMann’s covers- the simplicity works really well. And Laura Wiess’ ‘Such a Pretty Girl’. I guess that this is getting to be too rambling to be helpful, but to sum up: 1) No full frontal people and 2) Simplicity.
Kaz,
For what it’s worth, here’s my two bits:
It’s easier to say what I don’t like. And that would be the photo-realism covers. For whatever reason, those totally turn me off, to the point where I would have a hard time picking up the book to read the back. It’s ridiculous, and the cover shouldn’t influence a purchase decision that much, but those types of covers leave me cold.
The simple background/black can be very dramatic and eye-catching. I can think of a few other books out there with the same kind of cover. Kind of intrigued me, made me want to figure out how the novel tied into the cover artwork.
I think I like the photoshoot with stylized artwork the best. I like all the other types you have represented here, too, but it’s too close to call for the others – they are all equally appealing to me.
Good luck with making up your mind! Maybe if you give the art department basic cover types that you like, a few focal, important images from your book, and see what they come up with? Sounds scary, letting someone come up with the advertising for your baby…
Amy: I bet your wedding ring is beautiful. <3
Jessica S: Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Anna: "I guess I prefer when I have to do most of the imagining on my own."
I feel this way too, I think.
Pat: “I actually, study covers before I read a book to see what I can figure out from them–so obviously I dislike misleading covers.”
Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
That’s interesting, and it certainly makes sense that you’d dislike misleading covers. Also… guy covers, eh? LOL!
Ari: Thank you for taking the time to stop by! It’s lovely to ‘see’ you here.
I totally agree with you on the headless covers! And whitewashing is a huge issue & something I hate, as you know. It actually helps me just to know people are interested in this stuff, and also that covers are so important. I LOVE book covers, which is why it is incredibly disappointing when publishers get it wrong (for any reason).
Thanks again.
Hillary: LOL! I’m asking because it’s scary!
Irene: You’re welcome. I still think you should start a blog, then I could visit you and see how you’re getting on. Hehe… *tries to draw you into the blogging world with her evil powers*
Brian: Hmm… here are my replies.
1. No.
2. No.
How about that?
Lale G: Thanks for your input! Not rambling at all.
Dawn: Thank you – and that’s a good suggestion. I am definitely just going to find images that bring out some of the striking images/characters/themes or whatever, and then just pass it all over and let go. The art department might even go in a completely different direction and do something unexpected and stunning. I am nervous but excited!
Thanks to EVERYONE for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Cheers,
Kaz
I like the last option of the covers best (of course you picked the best of all of them, lol): the photoshoot but with stylized artwork. (Also makes me think of the Luxe covers, or the Gemma Doyle covers.) I think for an urban fantasy faerie novel like yours, you could get some really cool just straight artwork covers, like the original original Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside covers. Of course, that being said, the Wondrous Strange and Darklight covers are gorgeous, too.
So definitely what draws me is the stylized artwork thing, the kind of stuff that more often shows up on fantasy novels (since that’s what I read.) Ethereal is a good way to describe some of my favorite covers.
I meant to comment yesterday but I ran out of time. But anyway, I like all the types of covers you’ve shown, but I think my absolute favorite types of covers, if I had to pick one, would be the photoshoot with stylistic artwork in the background, or even just the photoshoot by itself, though like I said, I like them all. Hope that helps!!
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Wow… a lot of comments.
I tend to pick up 2b and 3 type books first and foremost. They’re the most interesting to me. Titles have a little to do with it too.
If the title is short and nondescript, I like 1′s because they’re combination is symbolic.
Medium length titles (like yours) tend to fit in the more photographic-realism line. Usually a picture that fits the description that the title/main character are trying to portray. My biggest pet peeve with this is finding a book with a great cover, catchy title, and AWESOME story… but the main character is brunette and the cover shows a blonde. Not even close.
Lengthy titles give a little more in the way of mixed creativity.
I think it comes down to mainly what you feel when you read a book. Unfortunately I judge books by their covers and some of my favorite covers/stories include Kristin Cashore’s books Graceling and Fire, Rachel Vincent’s Shifters series, and Lilith Saintcrow’s Dante Valentine series. They’re good representatives of what’s found inside.
A recent bad example that I can think of, which was disappointing, was James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard cover. I think his covers are very general and speak to his name more than what-the-books-contain.
Hope this helps!
Hey Brandi, thanks for joining in – of course it helps! This is such an interesting part of books and publishing; I think we all love covers & like to talk about them.
I love Kristin Cashore’s covers, too – the UK ones for me.
Cheers,
Kaz
I am probably shallow, but I am a big believer that covers matter. And I have bought a lot of books based mostly on their covers. I love the Strange Angels covers and I bought Gone purely on its cover. I have liked covers from all the categories you listed, but for me there needs to be some subtlety and thought put into how the cover relates to the story. For example, the Betrayals cover uses the photographic style, but it is also monochromatic with a dark undertone. You instinctively understand that the book is not about hugs and bunnies. In my opinion, the cover (packaging)should convey the feeling of the book, otherwise the the reader feels like they were sold something that they did not want to buy. There are some authors (and one in particular that I will not name) that I love their books/series, but I cringe everytime I see the cover of the books because I know that it looks like something it is not. It also makes me hesitate in sharing these books, because I know that I will have to explain the covers. I would not have picked up these books, but luckily they were recommended by others who told me to ignore the cover.
Good Luck!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply, Brooke! I am totally curious about the series you’re talking about. If you feel comfortable sharing in private, email me (but no worries if not).
Hey Covers are really important, i usually pick up a book soley on the cover, but also in different countries we all go for different things you know? like i happen to like the US/AUS shiver cover blue but the UK cover is black, just little things but then there are big differences like the Eternal kiss US/Aus covers were really different. As long as you love your cover that all that should count!
oh and embellishments…. best thing about covers!! i love a good foiled cover or embossed title! OK enough nerd speak.
Deb: Foil!! *has geeky moment*
I love foil. One day, if only… 
I’ll know I’ve really arrived if I ever get foil on a cover. LOL.
Cheers,
Kaz