gabriella

Okay... the question that's really bothering me, is how much say do I have in what my book will look like when it's published? Do I get to choose the cover art, font, layout, illustrations (if any), layout of cover and interior? Or do I give them the manuscript and watch as they do what they want?

The reason I'm really concerned about that, is because I love designing too, and I already know how I want the cover and inside to look, and I don't want anything else. Not only that, but I'm really picky on WHO designs my cover, because I know what art style I want (Matt Stawicki!) and don't want (Lerry Elmore! - I like his art, but the style isn't for my novel.)

Will I get to decide? Or am I going to have to put with having a book cover I downright hate and never asked for?

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Spudley

It's an interesting thought. I hadn't considered it before like that - to me, the thrill of having a book published would outweigh any thoughts of what the cover should look like. In any case, my first reaction would be that the publisher will know far better than I would how it should look in order to attract the reader. Also, a lot of books go through several different cover designs as they go through fresh editions.

But if you want to get involved in that side of things, I would imagine a publisher would be willing to listen. They may not agree with you of course, or they may have a pre-determined design for all their books... and if that happens you'll either have to put up with their ideas or find a different publisher.

It is an interesting question though. Anyone out there got any real experience to share about how publishers go about dealing with this sort of thing?

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Jollster

Self publish? If you like control over every little aspect of your project, it might be worth looking into, if you're up for it. Doesn't DL Ferguson (that his name?) have some experience with this? I don't know about publishers but I can imagine them being the same as TV execs who push for 'little' things like that to be done their way. ie. to fit with their marketing strategy.

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gabriella

Unfortunately, I'm not like that Spudley. The layout and cover is just as important to me as the book. Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it ranks as second after the words. Not only that, but I'm a perfectionist, and I get a vision for everything I'm about to do - and unless that vision comes true, I'm not happy. I'll think it sucks. And, being an obsessive designer, and a complete brat, I'm a perfectionist and I want everything to be the best.

I'd love to self publish, but I don't have the money. I'm only a fourteen year old girl who's pretty damn certain of how I want this book to turn out.

I had always thought that my editor would have been happy that I knew what I wanted, because it would save him a lot of money of having to go through several rejected covers. But then I was reading Holly Lisles article on something, and she mentioned she would have liked the cover a certain way but they did it differenly. That scared me, and made me wonder if I even had a say in this.

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Gundampilotspaz

The way I see it is its MY book I decide what it is that's done to it. If the publisher doesn't like it, its their loss.

gabriella

Ooh, feisty - I like =]

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Gundampilotspaz

The reason I want to be a writer is because I want to weave and create my own tale purely formed in my mind. I don't plan to write just to sell books. And I plan to get my name out to the public soon when my website opens in a few months (anime review site).

One of my favorite authors, Robert A Heinlein, was always hounded by publishers. Causing most of his books to be edited. He put up with it to get his books out.... but after his most famous book "Stranger in a Strange Land" the publishers left him alone.... and his writing went into the deep topics he wanted to talk about it. The most notable (which I haven't read yet, I'm sticking to his work before 1960 intill I finish most from that era.) is called "Time Enough for Love" which is hailed as one of his most insperational work. My point? Don't listen to publishers, they just want to make a buck. If you have too self publish. But follow the rules in my sig., by Robert A. Heinlein.

Leapord

I remember hearing once about how an author published a book, asked that the cover not contain pictures of monkeys (I'm serious), but the publishers put it there anyways.

On the flip side, Fred Ghallagher drew his own cover for his Megatokyo graphic novels. But then, those are graphic novels, so I don't really know if a publisher of regular novels would allow you to do the same.... but I don't see why not. After all, it's less work for them. For the most part, I'd assume that they just want their logo and name to be clearly visible. I guess the only way to find out is to ask a publisher, or someone else who has dealt with this situation.

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gabriella

Thus I created this topic =]

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Leapord

Touche.

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DL Ferguson

My first novel was published through !Universe and they gave me the option of going with their own cover design or coming up with one of my own. After talking it over with my editor we decided to see what !Universe came up with.

When I finally saw their cover...well, my wife said it best. She looked at it and asked me "Why did they put Prince on the cover of your book"? And the guy DID look like Prince. Not exactly the type of image you want on the cover of a pulp-style action/adventure. I spoke to my contact at !Universe and my editor and they said it was my call. If I wanted to change the cover, it would be changed but it would push back the publication date. I said don't worry about that and waited until an artist could be found who produced a cover more in line with what I wanted and actually, he made the cover from a poster he had done for me...he just cropped out the main character's face and we went with that for the cover. It pushed back the publication date about four months but the end result was one that EVERYBODY could live with.

Airborneguy

I am currently working with Publish America and they allow the writer to have a lot of say in the cover art.

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gabriella

Ooh, you all give me hope, lol.

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Havoc

When you feel you story needs a certain style then you should just ask the publisher. If you have any good idea's then their most likely to at leas look into it.
Currently Im taking the risk of already creating drawings and a vocer design. I hired a great artist who is currently working on the picture's. IMO a publisher is more likely to say ok, when he already saw the picture's, rather then waiting on them and delaying the publish date... just to see they arnt gonna use the picture's afterall.
So pre made art will always do better with publishers, its kind of a risk involving the money you pay the artist (unless you draw good yourself), but if they exept your all happy!

Dustin

Ehm, I have no experience with publishers... I have no idea what they act like, but I do know quite alot about people. In my humble opinion I think the publisher will listen to you, because an illustrator doesn't have the idea you have. I've seen books I turned down just because the cover looks 'shit'. I prefer books with a good cover, that the writer might have meddled with, you can quickly see if the writer inspired it or not. Because his description are well seen in them.

Nag at the publisher as long as you can to get your own cover.

Btw: Havoc, hello my dutch friend

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