I have been casting about for the proper metaphor for seeing the cover of your book for the first time. One writer I know compared it to childbirth: After a lot of hard work you get to see what your baby looks like. But then, well, I’m pretty sure people always like their babies, and they don’t always like their covers (though I sure love mine!)
Then I was thinking it was kind of like pottery, how you spin a pot and throw some glaze on there and put it in the kiln and it comes out looking shiny. But that’s not quite right either, because you pretty much know what a pot is going to look like when it comes out.
It resists comparison, people.
As an agent, I have heard many authors say that seeing the cover was when the whole publishing process seemed “real.” And now I see what they mean. It does seem more real.
Only: I think I misunderstood what people meant by “real.”
I had always thought it felt “real” for writers because the cover made the whole thing look more like an actual book. And yeah, that’s probably a part of it. But that’s not really how I experienced the “real” thing. There was more to it than that.
Up until that point when you see the cover, it’s difficult to imagine that someone else reading your book will have a different imagination of how things look and feel than you. As a writer, you have a certain idea of the physical and artistic aesthetic of the book: what the characters look like, which parts of the book comprise the essence, and what people will take away from it.
So when you see the cover for the first time, at first there’s inevitably a “Whoa, this wasn’t how I was picturing it.” And of course it wasn’t how you were picturing it! No one is going to interpret a book the same way you do, even though you wrote the darn thing.
But then, when the cover is good, there’s quickly a dawning that it captures the essence of the book. It’s not your imagination you’re seeing represented… and yet it is. It may not be how you physically pictured it, and yet there’s something there that is so so so right.
The real metaphor, I realized, is that the cover process is kind of like a physical manifestation of the writing and reading experience itself. People are out there reading your book, and they’re not picturing the same castle that you were picturing when you wrote it, and they’re not imagining the characters looking the same way as you were, and they’re not seeing the same fields and mountains. What’s happening in the minds-eye is unique to every reader.
And yet despite those differences, there is an essence that binds the writer and reader, a shared kernel that is hopefully passed through the words. We don’t often get those different interpretations drawn out for our viewing pleasure, but when the cover comes along, it’s “real” because it’s a reminder that a book isn’t all yours anymore. It will soon belong to readers, who will picture a different character and world than you were picturing, while hopefully absorbing the essence what you were truly going for.
I couldn’t be happier with how the cover for JACOB WONDERBAR turned out!! When I saw these characters illustrated I couldn’t believe how well they were captured. Thank you so much to Christopher S. Jennings for the illustration and Greg Stadnyk for the design!
yap cool cover. congratulations on your baby Nathan
The apropos metaphor I know is "An illustration is worth a thousand words." Applied to a novel, it might just have cost what the thousand words it depicts will earn.
Fantastic cover! Well done – and thanks for the post. Your energy is jumping off the screen. 🙂
It's funny because your cover kind of reminds me of a cover of a board game. Maybe it's all the bright colors, but either way, it definitely looks like an exciting read!
Congratulations. The cover looks fantastic.
Making it REAL by seeing the cover? Indeed. One day I will know that feeling and will be back to share.
Christine
This brought back a lot of memories for me (good ones) and I am so happy for you and proud of you.
Now you're a real author – congratulations!
Just wait until you hold the actual book in your hands. 🙂
Looks awesome, Nathan!! Congratulations again!
Congrats on your first cover! Yay!
(And do you think, then, that the cover artist–and then maybe later the director of the movie based on the book–assumes more control over how readers visualize elements of the story than even the author himself?)
My first books arrived at my house when I was at an RWA conference. I told my husband he was NOT allowed to open the box, no way, no how. Not until I saw them. My first hands-on experience was in the massive ballroom for the Literacy book signing. I remember wending my way through the room, reading the author names, looking for mine. That was cool enough, but then I got to pick up my books. I think finishing the book is like childbirth, but holding it is like when your baby looks at you and smiles for the first time.
Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Fun cover. It looks great. I'd think you must feel very proud.
It really is a fun cover. Congrats, Nathan!
Congratulations, Nathan! The cover for JACOB WONDERBAR is awesome. I know exactly how you feel. I’ve had 14 books published with exquisite book covers. Even when the covers weren’t exactly what I had imagined beforehand, most of them took my breath away and all of them made me very happy.
Looks fun and cute – an absolute blast! (So to speak. 😉 I think it would really appeal to my kids.
Love it–huge congrats & can't wait to buy! (For my nephews–but not till after I read it!)
agirlandaboy-
The illustrator captured the characters so well that I actually now picture the illustrations when I imagine the characters. So yeah, definitely very influential.
Your cover looks great! Congratulations!
🙂
I didn't have that 'problem' with the cover because I designed mine; I kept creating drafts and versions until something 'clicked'.
It does make everything seem so real! I can't WAIT to get my hands on my own ARC. I don't think anything else will matter then. Just me and my baby.
It's just that… my publisher hasn't set a solid, day/hour/minute due date.
It's like…I know what my baby will look like, and what "she's" called, but I haven't given birth to her yet.
C'mon. C'mon.
My 9yr-old totally wants a copy:) WTG, it works:)
Totally terrific cover – perfect for that age group.
I think what you are saying in this post is subtle, and you say it very well. It rings true. I was just thinking this the other day – once you put your words out there, other people will do with them as they will. You lose control. .
I can imagine that something as concrete as a book cover really brings it home. Those words have left home and are making a new life for themselves in someone else's head.
That leaves the door open for tons and tons of different reactions from readers – and we can't control any of it. Eeeek. I would guess the best we can do is surrender and roll with it. I guess. I'm not there yet. Maybe you can keep us posted. 🙂
But either way, you have a brand new baby book! He's darling and very handsome. Mazel Tov, Nathan!
it looks INCREDIBLE. i can't wait to read it!
congrats!!! 😀 😀
Speaking of book covers…
Nathan, I like it. I don't know what you had in mind, but this catches the eye!
And if anyone is in opinion mode, here's one I designed, for a title I may self publish. Opine away, please! Too much? Not enough?
https://robertwahl.blogspot.com/
Haste yee back 😉
Wowser, young Nathan, you got a stunner!! I'm a little over 18 myself and I want the dmn book!
Congratulations! It looks great!
Great cover! Very fun. Why don't you represent mg though you can write it?
I do rep middle grade, though as an agent I tend to gravitate to older kids' books. But please do think of me with middle grade.
Looks great! I think the artist could have made your name a little bigger… 😉
How much did they consult you on the cover? Usually there's some give and take.
I LOVED the cover the artist did for my first book. The second one… I didn't want to be rude, so I didn't reject it, but it wasn't as good, and I think it cost me sales.
Today I had the interesting experience of revealing the cover for my short story anthology… for which I was also the cover artist. Since it's an anthology, though, the cover doesn't really show any particular characters, it's more a matter of mood. But it's funny, because when you are both artist and author, you miss that aha! moment of seeing your book through someone else's eyes.
Congrats on the cover and the book. 🙂
Congrats, Nathan! it looks great!
My first glimpse at my first cover with Penguin/Razorbill was actually a comp, only they neglected to tell me what "comp" meant, and the terrible stock photos scared the heck out of me. Heart-attack inducing, I tell you.
I received covers number 4 & 5 in the last two months, and its still just as exciting as the first one!
Mandy
Congrats on the cover!! It's adorable. And I like your metaphor about it being a manifestation of the experience. It's also the first time of letting go – when everyone else gets to have THEIR interpretation of what you wrote. It no longer belongs just to you (or your editor, or your crit partners, who already love you and it).
Can't wait to read it! 🙂
Your cover rocks, Nathan! And, believe it or not, when you get your first copy, your book will smell like a newborn too!
I appreciate what you shared here. Congrats on your cover, wow!! Exciting!
Ahh, love it! It's so cool and fun! Congrats!
It's a great cover. But I agree that next time, they've gotta make your name bigger.
You've described it perfectly–that high you get when you see your first cover or hold your own book in your hands for the first time. Other people are now coming into your lonely writer's universe. It's a kind of terrifying joy.
Awesome title, awesome cover. Congrats, Nathan.
That is an awesome cover, Nathan, and definitely a timely posting for anyone else about to see their cover for the first time, too.
Congrats! The cover looks great.
Love the cover. It would have made my kids want to read it.
I am having a bad book cover experience. We are now on to version three. The first two had characters on the front that were wrong. One was totally the wrong age. With only 2 weeks to release day I'm not stressed that my book is still naked.
I'm glad you love yours.
Aaaahhh, love the cover!!! I'm such a cover junkie. I'll buy a book I already own if it has a new cover. It's that bad. Congrats, btw! I hope to one day feel what you must be feeling right now 🙂 It just seems so freakin' exciting! I bet the next best part is when you hold the book in your hands and stroke the cover lovingly.
Awesome cover!! Congrats Nathan! I can't wait to know what that must feel like 🙂
I am a ceramics artist, (and teacher) so let me tell you that your use of ceramics as an analogy really is not off at all. Many times you don't know exactly how your ceramic work will turn out when it comes out of the kiln, and many times it turns out quite different than what you thought. It's especially true for the uncounted numbers of Middle Schooler I've had over the past twenty years.
Great cover! Congrats!
Congrats on the cover and the "real" step!
And yeah – though I have only read what you've shared on this site, that's not how I pictured the cover either. I didn't expect it to be quite so comicbook-y.
Looks good though, great attention grabber!
How fun is that?!
Like all "babies", their made up of a collective gene pool. What we get is what we need, and the we just love it.
Cheers!
The experience of seeing my book cover for the first time was frawesome! (hybrid of fricken&awesome). I was really happy with the cover for my debut middle grade novel Dead Frog on the Porch. Your cover looks great!
Congratulations, Nathan. The cover looks terrific.
Congratulations. The cover looks great. I love your explanation of how the cover is so symbolic of this really not being yours and only yours anymore. Now it will belong to many others to enjoy, and that must be super exciting.
God, I hate to admit this, but I actually teared up a bit when I clicked on it and enlarged it. I can only imagine what it must feel like, given all it takes to actually create, write, revise and ultimately publish a novel.
Congratulations, Nathan. Nicely done.
Oooh, nice. Congrats.
I can't imagine any author not getting excited about their covers.
But you certainly have a lot to get very excited about. That's a great cover!!
Well, all I hope for is red with gold lettering on the inside cover under the dust jacket of the hardbound edition. So anything past that would be a wonderful blessing.
(That's if I get a hardbound edition. My luck I go straight to paperback. XD)