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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

CREATING BOOK COVERS





Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband Norman and her very active puggle, Watson. She’s authored fourteen books and is currently at work on a new series for Bethany House Publishing. The first book in her Road to Kingdom series, “Inescapable,” came out in July of 2012. The second book, "Unbreakable," released in February of 2013. The final book in the series, “Unforeseeable,” will be available in September of 2013.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

Readers can learn more about Nancy through her Web site: www.nancymehl.com or her blog www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com. She is also active on Facebook.
 
 
CREATING BOOK COVERS
 
Authors love some of their book covers and shudder at others. Most of us have little control over our covers. Many times, publishers create them without much input from their authors. I’m blessed to have a publisher that asks for my input, although the final decision is up to them. Thankfully, I’ve loved every cover they’ve done.

I thought you might like to see some pictures from a photo session with the model selected as Hope, in UNBREAKABLE. She was a great choice, in my opinion. If you’ve read UNBREAKABLE, does she look like the person you envisioned?   








Photographers take many different shots, not certain which one will finally make the cut.


 Notice the model’s jeans and sandals showing beneath her dress. I thought this was a cute picture.

 

 
 
The different shots are carefully considered.
 
 
 
 
 
 
And finally, here's the result!
 
 
 
Do you “see” a character in a book from a picture on the cover – or do you ignore the cover and create your own idea as you read?
 
Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of UNBREAKABLE – or a copy of UNFORESEEABLE when it comes out in September. Your choice!
 
Here's the cover for UNFORESEEABLE.
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38 comments:

  1. Rhonda's DoingsMarch 27, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    I love your covers! I use my imagination more than the cover, I think. Rhonda
    nashhall@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 8:17 AM

      I do too, Rhonda. But in this case, I think the publisher hit the nail on the head.

      Delete
  2. Gail EarwoodMarch 27, 2013 at 6:40 AM

    I love the covers. It is neat that you took the time to show what goes into the cover pictures. I would love to win one of your books. I am new to most of the Suspense Sister Writers, and would love to read your books.

    gailearwood@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 8:17 AM

      Thanks, Gail! We're glad to have you join us!

      Delete
  3. ngspitznagleMarch 27, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    I do like the end result for the cover! Would definitely love to win a copy of Unbreakable!
    ngspitznagle@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 8:17 AM

      Thanks for the comment. You're in the drawing!

      Delete
  4. Donna HarmonMarch 27, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    I do look at the covers as a start to what I see in a character, but my imagination adds to that character. I would like to win either of these books, but if it got me a copy sooner than its release in stores, of course I would want the new release. I so enjoy your writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 8:18 AM

      Thank you, Donna. Yes, I get my copies about a month before the official release. You'd be one of the first to read, Unforeseeable.

      Delete
  5. MichelleMarch 27, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    I love when a cover of a book pulls you in and captures your attention. Your covers have been great! If I am not to keen on a cover I create my own look for a character....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 8:19 AM

      Thanks, Michelle. I can honestly say that I've loved all my covers for this series. I can hardly wait to see what my publisher does with my brand new series!

      Delete
  6. Elizabeth DentMarch 27, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    Cover is beautiful. Love that you took the time to show & tell us about covers. I do not think that I have read any of her books, but always love to try new authors. I love reading Amish books. Thank you for the giveaway.
    Elizabeth
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 8:20 AM

      Thanks for the comment, Elizabeth. I'm glad you enjoyed a "look behind the scenes."

      Delete
  7. carrieMarch 27, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    Thanks for this post! I enjoy "behind the scenes" articles. I tend to use my own imagination, but think covers are important to spark interest!
    Cagould15(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 8:21 AM

      Thanks for the comment, Carrie. I love "behind the scenes" stuff too. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

      Delete
  8. Lynda Lee SchabMarch 27, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Too fun! And what gorgeous results! One thing that bugs me is when the cover model looks nothing like the author's description of her/him. I love having a visual to go by. Your books sound wonderful. Would love the chance to read them. :-)

    LyndaLeeSchab at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 9:04 AM

      Thanks, Lynda. I feel the same way about the cover models. Sometimes they look nothing like the description in the book. Weird.

      Delete
  9. AnnetteMarch 27, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    I have been wanting to read something by Nancy. I think it was on this blog that I discovered her, and have been eager to read "Unbreakable" ever since. Now I want to read both!

    sewbynette at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 9:05 AM

      Thanks for the comment, Annette! Glad you've found the Suspense Sisters!

      Delete
  10. Lisa MedeirosMarch 27, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    I love the cover for your new book Unforeseeable! It is my favourite cover so far! I loved you first to books in the series! :) and cannot wait to read this one!
    Lisa
    deiselbuffs@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy MehlMarch 27, 2013 at 9:05 AM

      Thanks, Lisa. I love the cover of Unforeseeable too. Different using a man on the cover, but I think he's a great choice for Levi. :)

      Delete
  11. Melissa L.March 27, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    Love looking at how covers are made. It was fun to see her in her dress but with jeans and sandals showing underneath. I look at the covers but let my imagination fill out the complete picture. Melissa L. rackylemaire@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 27, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    Love the covers and would love to win.Bonnie Traher 26 North Mill Street,West Nanticoke,Pa 18634 momtr3@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMarch 27, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    Love the cover for the book!
    CherylB1987@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. bluejeanangelMarch 27, 2013 at 9:06 AM

    Love the covers. I do appreciate when I see a face to put with the book. I have a connection before I start. I do attempt to create my own vision when reading a book without a face, sometimes it is difficult though.I would love to win either "Unbreakable or Unseeable.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMarch 27, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    I believe the book cover helps me to draw nearer to the character in the book. The imagination that is created from picturing a character while you are reading helps to make the plot more real. I enjoyed reading Unbreakable and can't wait to read Unseeable. rsuebell1973@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. SarahMarch 27, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    I look at the covers but I also use my imagination.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    superstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mary EllenMarch 27, 2013 at 11:13 AM

    Beautiful covers. I would love to win a copy of the new book Unforeseeable. I enjoyed this article. Thank you :)

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  18. yellowroseMarch 27, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    I like to see the characters on the cover.

    michyellowrose@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. MeganMarch 27, 2013 at 12:11 PM

    I usually start the book thinking the character looks like the person on the cover. But, as I go along, I tend to create my own image of what they should look like. It's probably because I have an overactive imagination or something.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMarch 27, 2013 at 12:26 PM

    I think the cover is like a diving board and I am ready to dive in and start reading and once I hit the water and turn the pages aand read deeper and deeper I have my own mental image of the characters.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 27, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    Wow this is so cool! Thanks for walking us through the process! :)

    sylvesternator@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. BettiMarch 27, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    I never would have thought there was so much to making a cover. Thanks for helping us understand even more of what goes into a wonderful book!

    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMarch 27, 2013 at 8:05 PM

    I like to see the character on the cover. If they aren't there, then you just sorta get a picture of them as you read. I would love to win one of these books. Thanks for this chance. Sometimes I have a hard time getting the SuspenseSisters blog to come on. Not easy on the FB search as some tell me it is. It's always saying this site can't be found. Wish I could make a list of the places I want to go, and then just click there. Anyway, hello to you all.
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Diana MontgomeryMarch 28, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    I so want to win this book! I keep trying.
    Blessings
    joeym11@frontier.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. bonnieMarch 28, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Love pretty book covers & I DO use the book cover to envision the characters. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousMarch 28, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    The 2 book covers are nice! I use book covers to picture the characters.
    Martha T.
    CRPrairie1 at imonmail(dot) com.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Cindy W.March 29, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    Oh my how I love the covers of your books! I also love the shot with the model wearing her jeans under her dress. I reminds me from when I worked at a television station. It was a 24 hour newschannel and while everyone looked like a model from the waist up they usually were 'dressed down' from the waist down (ie. shorts and sandals with a shirt tie and sports coat).

    Would love to be entered to win one of your books.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete

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