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Have you ever wondered how that book got its cover? Here's your chance! Please join me in welcoming two book cover/book designers, Cheryl Rogers of New Christian Books Online and Delia Latham of Delia's Designs.
First, meet Cheryl Rogers.
She is also the author of What You Should Know Before You Hire a Book Designer ebook
Have you ever wondered how that book got its cover? Here's your chance! Please join me in welcoming two book cover/book designers, Cheryl Rogers of New Christian Books Online and Delia Latham of Delia's Designs.
First, meet Cheryl Rogers.
Cheryl, How did you become a book cover designer? What is your
training?
I am a former newspaper copy editor and desktop
publisher, so the elements of book design are very familiar to me. As an
author, I began first by designing my own book covers using my own photos or
those of others. From there I began helping fellow authors to improve their
books, either through editing, proofreading, formatting, layout and/or book
cover design.
What are the most fun and least fun parts about the
job? What is your idea of a perfect
design?
I love the creative process, so getting my hands on a
great piece of art that helps tells the story and sells the book is probably
the most exciting part. From there it all comes together through the selection
of just the right type that will capture readers’ attention and help sell the
book.
A perfect design will have balance. The words will
jump out at you and the background art will support the message. There will be
adequate margins and the completed cover will look well put together, like when
you are going out for a big party. Everything will contribute to the total
look, creating just the image you want it to create.
Do you prefer to start with the author, the publisher,
or your own ideas that represent the
book?
I’ve got to start out with the ideas of the one who’s
paying me, because I have to please him or her. In my case, that usually is the
author. It’s important to find out from the beginning what image they have in
their own minds for the cover, otherwise I can’t give them what they want.
It is important for me to share my professional
opinion and I do so with respect. I feel I must share or else I’d be cheating
them of the benefit of the design knowledge I’ve acquired through the years.
But if they don’t chose the image I prefer, or the design I recommend, I’m okay
with that. After all it is their book, not mine.
How often do you read the books for which you design
the cover? Or go and buy them later, or
recommend them to friends?
As an author who helps other authors, runs an online
magazine, and is a wife and mom on top of that, my time is limited. I love
books and any creative endeavor, which is why I enjoy doing what I am doing. But
no, I do not read the books unless I am hired to edit and/or proofread them. I
simply do not have the time.
Cheryl Rogers is a
Christian author and free-lance writer, copy editor, layout artist, book cover
designer, and print broker. She publishes New Christian Books
Online Magazine as a service to the Christian reading and writing
communities. Cheryl likes to write for all age groups, encouraging them to seek
God early and be obedient to his Word. Her latest book design project was the
book cover for the John 3:16 Marketing Network’s book, Taste and See, A Sampling of FirstChapters by John 3:16 Marketing Network Authors, slated for release soon.
As a special gift, The New Christian Books Online Store is offering a 20% discount on
all products during the month of December with the Coupon Code,
HAPPYHOLIDAYS. Please share this information with others that love
Christian Books.
all products during the month of December with the Coupon Code,
HAPPYHOLIDAYS. Please share this information with others that love
Christian Books.
And secondly, we
welcome our own Clash hostess, Delia Latham.
Delia, How did you become a book cover
designer? What is your training?
Training? What's that? Actually,
everything I know about graphic design I have learned the hard way—by trial and
error. Lots of error! lol
I have designed marketing products
for authors for several years. (Bookmarks, postcards, posters, etc.) I decided
to try my hand at book covers when one of my bookmark customers asked for a
simple cover design for a little giveaway book she was putting together for her
readers. I had so much fun with it that I knew I had to add it to my services.
What are the most fun and least
fun parts about the job? What is your idea of a perfect design?
I love the design portion, of
course. Coming up with a "vision" for what the cover should be, and
then making it a tangible reality. My tendency is to spend longer on a project
than my rates justify, simply because I enjoy what I'm doing.
I guess the least fun part of
designing is working with the occasional author who really has no idea
what he/she wants. It's very frustrating to have to redo a beautiful design
because the author changes his/her mind...again and again. I finally had to
limit the number of changes I'm willing to make to a completed cover design. I
don't like doing that, but my time is worth something...
My idea of a perfect design is one
that is 1) attractive, 2) provides a clear idea what the overall story is
about, and 3) makes the author proud to showcase his/her masterpiece.
Do you prefer to start with the
author, the publisher, or your own ideas that represent the book?
I like to have some idea what the
author wants, because as an author myself, I think every author should be able
to say, "I love my cover art!" So I usually ask for their back
cover text, so I'll know what the book is about. If they want people on their
cover, I need some idea what those people should look like. I want to know if
there are any objects in the book that are key to the story...like, for
instance, a necklace or a trunk or a key—some element that could add interest
to the cover. From there, I try to take the project and run with it.
I haven't needed to deal with
publishers yet, as all of my customers so far have been self-published, or
responsible to provide their own covers.
How often do you read the books
you for which you design the cover? Or go and buy them later, or recommend them
to friends?
Unfortunately, I don't have time
to read the books I design covers for - although, I must admit, a couple of the
back cover blurbs have definitely piqued my interest!
Delia
Latham is a born-and-bred California gal, recently transplanted to Oklahoma
where she lives with her husband Johnny. She’s a Christian wife, mother,
grandmother, sister, and friend—but above all, she treasures her role as child
of the King and heir to the throne of God. When she’s not writing, she loves to
play piano and sing, read, enjoy nature’s beauty, and design marketing products
for authors. A former newspaper Staff Writer and frequent contributor to her
hometown’s regional publication, Bakersfield
Magazine, she has also freelanced projects to a public relations firm
and various magazines; has compiled, edited, and designed cover art for various
Kindness Incorporated projects; and has sold greeting card verse.
Find out more about
Delia’s Designs
