Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Cover!!

Maven Carrie RyanHello Mavenland! This week I'm ecstatic to be able to show you my cover and introduce you to my protagonist, Mary:

I couldn't be more excited about this cover -- I love the Forest in the background, I love the way her hair is blown out behind her, I love her expression, I love the font (rumor is both my name and the title will be glossy) and I love the colors. I'll admit, I wasn't expecting a person, and especially not a face, on my cover -- first, there just haven't been heads on YA covers recently and second, I don't describe Mary that much (and I don't think I ever describe her clothes which is another reason I'm uber impressed with this cover). So when I first opened the email I was like "Oh!" and then I was like "Oooooohhhhhh!!!!!" I just don't think they could have done a better job on this cover -- I'm totally in love :)


And yes, I've totally been staring at this cover all the time. I have a print out hung next to my desk at work and one propped on my bookcase (my future inlaws actually glued my cover to another book so that it looks like a real book!).


So tell me your thoughts! Do you ever imagine your covers while you're writing your books? Do you create mock covers for your blog or website? What do you like and dislike in a cover?

13 comments:

Courtney Milan said...

Wow! That is both beautiful and evocative. Even if I didn't know anything about the book, I would pick it up and buy it.

I love the play of shadows across her neck and face.

B.E. Sanderson said...

Totally awesome cover, Carrie. I can't wait until it hits the stores so I can snag a copy. =o)

Way back when I was considering self-publishing my first book (through Lulu), I worked up several cover designs. Nothing fancy, but just gripping enough (I hoped) to pull in sales. I gave up on the idea of self-publishing, but the designs are all still there. Maybe one of these days I'll post one for fun.

Bill Clark said...

Great cover!

Do you ever imagine your covers while you're writing your books?

Not really. My experience has been that the art people in the publishing houses do a really great job by and large - as well they should, of course. I had the same "Oh wow!" reaction when the people at Tempus sent me the proposed cover for the book I'd written at their request - it was perfect!

And my friend the AuthorBabe recently shared the cover artwork for her next book - I thought it rocked, though she had a couple of minor reservations. Anyhow, as cm said, it was eyegrabbing enough to make me want to pick it up and buy it.

That said, when an artist friend and I did a self-published limited edition book of his pics and my text, there was never any question about the cover art. He had the perfect picture for it, and from the first mockup to the final proof, that picture made the book sing. (And sell out quickly, too!)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cover, Carrie! I don't ever really imagine my covers, but I must say the covers I've had have been perfect for the books and just absolutely wonderful.

Jackie Barbosa said...

CM already said it--the cover is beautiful and evocative. I really love it.

I have to say that in my (limited) experience, a book contract always feels "real" at the moment you get the cover art. I'm waiting impatiently for covers for my upcoming Cobblestone releases and because I have complete faith in their artists, I know they'll be great. But I still won't feel like the books are "real" until they have art.

And I suck at envisioning my own covers. Cobblestone asks its authors to complete a cover art form describing the characters and giving the artist some idea of what they want to see on their covers. It never fails to make me shudder.

Carrie Ryan said...

Thanks y'all! I love being able to share and get feedback!

Marnee Bailey said...

It is wonderful! I love the colors and the font. Just beautiful.

Erica Ridley said...

I luuuuurrrrve your cover art!!! =)

Darcy Burke said...

It's beautiful, Carrie. I'm so excited for you!

Tessa Dare said...

OMG, it's gorgeous!!!

Kelly Krysten said...

It's beautiful!!

lacey kaye said...

*snatches it for her own*

*realizes she has to write a book to match it*

*decides it looks better with Carrie's name on it*

*sobs*

Keira Soleore said...

Carrie, I'm commenting rather late here on the blog. Congratulations on the BEAUTIFUL cover. Not only does it suit the title very well, but also the story (from the summary I've heard). And it has crossover appeal as well (YA and adults).

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