Judging Books by their Covers

Perhaps it’s an outside-looking-in kind of thing but I just always assumed book covers accurately depicted events that occur inside the books. And so those were my expectations going into cover design.

The truth is that people themselves have expectations of what a book might be simply by looking at the cover. And it is by this judgement that they decide whether it’s worth the read. So it is far more important that the cover draws in readers than to describe a particular scene. After all, the goal of the cover is to get them interested in reading the story. The writing inside is what will keep them engaged.

My editor and illustrator have been incredibly patient and understanding as I struggle to let go of those preconceived expectations. And for that I am grateful.