How do you approach cover design?
I begin a novel with a large white board that has photographs and images. Next the board has an outline of chapters. Those images may change as the story unfolds in the writing process. With my current work in progress, Eco Terrorist (working title) I thought I would use a sepia toned image. I love Alice Hoffman's cover for the Dovekeepers. I was thinking of an image of a woman from the rear view. My white board has photos of tornados, dust devils, and Vincent VanGogh's peasants during his early period. Cover art is vital to the book. It tells a visual tale. Readers take clues from the kind of font, colors and choices in the cover art. I will supply the artwork and have a pro help decide how to put the font and spline together. My original concept of cover art for the work in progress has changed over time. Accepting these as exciting creative steps, rather than failures is part of the magic.
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