I have about as much artistic design ability as my cat – possibly less. So my book covers make me nervous.
I know my book better than anyone… and I should know what cover will suit it. But I don’t. I have ideas – and they are usually rubbish – because I am a writer, not a designer.
The lovely people at Choc Lit believe the writers should be involved in the cover design – which is both great and terrifying. It’s great because the book is my baby and I want to be involved in every part of bringing it to my readers. It’s terrifying because I can almost draw a stick man on a good day.
Years ago – when competing with one of my horses, a piece of my gear came loose in the competition ring. I was mortified because it was my mistake. After handing out the ribbons (to other people) the judge came to me and told me my horse had performed brilliantly and should have won – but I let her down. I felt so bad about that, I cried.
I did not want to let my book down.
Choc Lit’s cover designer – the wonderful Berni Stevens – sent me a number of different ideas.. and asked what I thought. We went back and forth a few times… until two days ago, this dropped into my inbox:
I knew in an instant that we had it.
I could say it’s because the images brilliantly portray the outback setting. Or that the metaphors of looking outwards to the sky and down to the reflection in the water match the themes of the book. I could say … a lot of things.
But if you want the truth – I love it because it is just so pretty!
It looks so good alongside all the other fab Choc Lit covers that are coming out next year.
I just can’t wait to see how great it looks in a book shop when it’s released in March 2014.
Thanks Berni – and all the team at Choc Lit.
