To answer the question, let me refresh your memory on what the hardback ASHFALL cover looks like:
I love this cover like Santa Claus loves reindeer. The artwork is a composite of photographs taken and digitally manipulated by Ana Correal--see more of her amazing artwork here. It's perfect for my book--tough, dark, and a little bit foreboding.
So why did it change?
In the world of book sales, there's one retailer that wields a huge influence over covers. Not the biggest retailer, that'd be Amazon. But Amazon carries everything--you can have the worst book cover ever, and Amazon will still sell your book. The most influential retailer of physical books is this one:
As I understand it, there was a rumor that someone at B&N didn't like the hardback ASHFALL cover. That they thought it was too dark and grey--a fair criticism, although life after a supervolcano would be pretty darn grey for a while. I have no idea if the rumor was even true. But here's the thing, B&N is so important to physical book sales, that even the rumor that someone there didn't love the cover was enough to spur a change.
Does this bother me? Not in the least. Because I got new covers out of the deal:
They're also by Ana Correal. See, more color! I love these even more than Santa Claus loves his reindeer. Even more than he loves reindeer even if he loved them in highly inappropriate ways, which he doesn't, but I'm just . . . oh, never mind.
And that's why the cover of ASHFALL changed. Look for the shiny new covers in a bookstore near you on October 8th!
I wish I had someone to give me excellent cover advice. I'm working on improving mine right now. I like the choices you made.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm in awe of indie authors who manage somehow to do everything, covers included. I would never have come up with such great ideas on my own. I'm just not visual enough. The concepts were from my editor, Peggy Tierney. The artwork is all by Ana Correal. All I can claim are the words.
ReplyDeleteI really like your new covers! But I liked your previous cover too. I don't mind if a cover is dark and bleak, if it fits the book.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until I saw the paperback cover of ASHFALL that I finally got that ASHEN WINTER's cover wasn't the muscles of a leg or something. It's hands on a red cloth! (Yes, I am a little slow and maybe I just glance at things as they move across my desk.) *hangs head*
ReplyDeleteAnywho - I like them!
Yeah, the muscles of a leg work perfectly well, too. When you read ASHEN WINTER, you'll understand :).
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kayla, I thought the cover of Ashen Winter was some kind of muscle. There is nothing wrong with the new covers, I just prefer the original and I wish publisher's wouldn't make a drastic change like this cause I like my books to match.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read Ashen Winter!