by Don Dyer

As a writer and an artist, the next logical step was for me to digitally create my own book cover. For my first book I created what I wanted and what would attract readers to buy it. Then I sent my manuscript to the publisher. I also told him that I had my own cover to go with the book, he promptly informed me that they were the ones that would be creating the cover for my book. He told me that I would have no say in the cover design. Their cover was nasty clip art hastily and sloppily thrown together. They sent me a galley copy. I contacted the publisher and begged them to at least look at the cover I’d created. I received a hateful no, and was told that I didn’t know the book business or what the public wanted to see.

I, brokenhearted, let it go after a rant and some broken things around the kitchen. Then, a couple years later I was ready to submit my second book. I thought I’d be devious, so I sent the book cover instead of the manuscript. After a confused email, I apologized for sending the cover file instead of the script. I said it was a simple mistake, that they were named the same. I was talking to an editor’s aide, and I told her to compare the two book covers. She pulled up my file on her computer and I heard a short gasp. I asked for her help as an advocate of the cover I’d sent. She told me that she just started as an aide, and she didn’t have much pull. I asked that she help plead my case. Later, after many emails, I was allowed to use my artwork for my second book cover. Continue reading How To Design Book Covers →