Judging a Book by Its New Cover

Posted bymikecolemanauthorPosted inThe Way From Me to USTags:, , , ,

My publisher proposed a new cover idea this past Friday … one that more clearly conveys the story of my memoir. My friend Jeff Clemmons’ blurb on the cover is the best summary I’ve found of my book so far; he calls it “a double love story,” which is exactly the point. Publisher Lori Perkins wants the cover art to share the load.

I understand where she’s coming from. Pictured above, the new design incorporates black and white photos from Ted’s and my younger years. They serve as some of the chapter headings in the book and help tell the double story … my story and our story … visually.

What do you think? I’d love your feedback.

This new layout was accomplished in a virtual whirlwind over the past weekend. I emailed photos to designer Scott Carpenter on Friday afternoon. By Saturday morning, he had some sample designs for the team, which included Lori, my editor David T. Valentin, and me.

These were reviewed and discussed in a four-way flurry of emails Saturday night while Ted and I were attending our great-niece’s high school graduation in Davidson, North Carolina. I was fortunate that Olivia’s time to walk across the stage came during a brief pause in the email conclave around 8:15 p.m. But it was all good. And we appear to be running fairly close to our June 1 release date.

Once Ted and I were back in our hotel room, I received the results of our discussion in a near-final mockup of the cover at 11:22 p.m. Whew!

Pleased with the results, I slept soundly.

Ted and I are still fans of the previous cover design, pictured below. But Riverdale Avenue Books releases scores of books each year, and Scott’s covers are really good, so I have to bow to the experts here.

And I do think the framed photos add some visual interest that wasn’t there before. I like the sky-blue background, too. (That was a new addition this afternoon.) Despite the stress, I am loving being part of the process as my book makes its way toward publication.

I can’t wait for the final product. It will be soon!

22 thoughts on “Judging a Book by Its New Cover”

  6. It’s very busy. Maybe they could do with half the phots. If all these are on a book cover, photos will be too small to appreciate and text way to small for a cover.
    Maybe when the movie comes out, they could use this for the full-size poster hanging at the theater.

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  8. Hi, Mike and Ted,

    <

    div>Thanks for the good news about your book!  When I first saw the new proposed cover, I really liked it for a coup

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  9. With the new cover they could, in my opinion, use the color photo and the one with your dad and the one with your mom. Not as busy but still inclusive. I liked it but putting it book size was a different perspective.

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  10. I conducted an experiment. I opened Amazon on my phone and typed ‘Memoirs Best Sellers’ into the search field. All of the book covers have single images.

    What is the pivotal reason for displaying multiple images on the cover, rather than one? Given the few seconds one has to capture someone’s attention during online shopping, I question the decision for the cover design change.

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    1. I know, Gordy! Our publisher wanted something that told the deeper story, and the design is growing on me. I’m beginning to see the photo arrangement as a single image … or maybe I’ve just looked at it too long! Thank you for your great feedback and your interest. I really appreciate it. You and the Open Hand guys are part of our story and will always mean so much to us.

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  13. Mike, I do like the photos, but feel some place inside the book would be a better place for them. I personally loved the original cover, it drew me in and made me want to know more about those two “mysterious “ guys on the cover. I am by no means an expert in this area….but just wanted to share my thoughts… I too am looking forward to the read regardless of the final cover..
    Love you guys!

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    1. Thanks for your comments, Marie. I value them so much. Ted and I liked the old cover, too! But I think the new one has its strengths.

      This experience has been a balancing act for me. My publisher is so enthusiastic about the new version. I realized it was time to put my preferences aside and acknowledge their expertise and experience when it comes to selling books.

      P.S. The photos are inside the book, too, plus 20 others. I’ve used them as chapter headings.

      Love to you both. We’re looking forward to catching up with you sometime soon!

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  14. While I do really like the new cover Mike, I still prefer the previous one somehow. Maybe because it seems to project so well the sense of a journey – which is what you’ve both been on, and what the book is about. But you can’t go wrong with either.

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