Last February, I wrote to my almost-publisher asking when I’d receive a reply to the second round of contract edits that had been submitted a few months prior. I knew there’d been a family emergency with typical aftermath that upends the best of plans. The reply I received was apologetic. A new round of edits soon followed. But so did more aftermath. By May, when all momentum fizzled, I found myself pointed down the self-publishing highway.
I was initially overwhelmed with anger at being dismissed without professional courtesy. Then the clouds parted and the proverbial “God light” scattered golden rays across my path. I had been waiting for my publisher to take the reins of cover design. With no publisher to drive the creative bus, the artist within me screamed, “Yes.”
The trouble was, I had no idea what to do or what would make a good design. That was supposed to be the purview of the publisher, who was now me. I was free to direct my own choir. But who should I ask to stand on the risers? What music should we sing? The process of cover design became as daunting as it was freeing.
With no kids at home in need of cash flow, I turned the faucet on “me.” My first step as a self-publishing author was to hire a book coach. I’d been a solo trekker for most of my book’s development and writing. We had no extra money for anything else at the time. I could now afford to hire help. Through referral, I found Kathy Dodson, Next Step Book Coach, an easily accessible, experienced, and witty self-publisher.
Our first meeting ended like the first day of a college class—with plenty of homework.
Step one was to study the top 100 titles in the three Amazon categories I’d use to catalogue my book. I was to pay attention to the use of photo realistic images versus illustrations, predominant colors and mood, font styles, busyness, and placement of titles versus author name. The goal was to become aware of what would be needed to make my book cover feel at home in the top 100. In other words, what would readers of my genre “expect” of my book.
Step two was to collect referrals for cover designers and to conduct research and interviews on their portfolios and processes.
Step three ran concurrently to step two and involved contracting with an online cover design service at an introductory level. The goal was to learn and engage the cover design process before making a bigger investment. I equate it with jumping into the wading pool wearing floaties. The risk was very low. I could love the design or hate it. If it was the latter, what I lost wouldn’t be much for the effort.
The company, getcovers.com, was very responsive. The designs were delivered on time. I wasn’t 100% satisfied, so they refunded my money.
I had no cover in hand, but I did gain two important takeaways: I wanted to be wowed when I looked at my cover, and I desired to work directly with the designer, not the project manager. I went back to my spreadsheet and deleted those who would “assign” me a designer I would never meet.
When I met Michelle Parks of Melissa Williams Design, we connected immediately over pets and the parenting of kids with mental health challenges. I asked for cover examples in my genre and received a depth of designs that matched the uniqueness of her client’s work.
At the start of our second meeting, she unveiled a sketch. I was immediately smitten. With some tweaking, it became the winner.
What do I love? The cozy, crisp charm of white paneling. The leashes and kid gear hanging from the coat hooks make me feel like I’ve just stepped into my own home. A teal-blue title bar hints at the harmony our family eventually found. And the little dog stretched out on the cushion? That’s Frankie—one of my all-time favorite fosters.
Earlier this week I had the privilege of holding my book in hand after ten years of labor. It felt just as I had imagined!
This big hurdle is now past. Saty tuned for more to come.
I’d love to hear your self-publishing tales in the comments below. Let’s here about formatting the interior, finding a cover designer, and establishing accounts on Amazon and IngramSpark.
Awesome!!!!
Fantastic cover, Cindy! It captures your family, people and pets alike, along with the complexity of your lives and the ultimate balance and grounding from all your experiences together.