The Making of a Susanna Kearsley Cover - Plus Giveaway

Book Season of Storms On Saturday, Susanna Kearsley's The Firebird  ( A | BN | K ) won the RITA® for Best Paranormal at the 2014 RWA convention. While I had no idea that was going to happen, I'm a little extra excited, because I'd been working on a Q&A with the Sourcebooks art and productions departments about the making of her covers, and had planned to post it today. Yay for timing! 

Season of Storms is Kearsley's newest novel, and it comes out on 2 September 2014 – and yes, it is up for preorder now at Amazon and BN. Kearsley's cover art is pretty unique, so my nosy questions began there. Sarah Cardillo, director of production at Sourcebooks, provided the answers – because a Q&A with two Sarahs is always better than a Q&A with just one! 

Sarah W: The Kearsley covers have a very specific and unique “look” to them. How did you go about developing that look?

Book The Winter Sea
The Winter Sea
( A | BN | K | iB )

Sarah C: The first book we published, The Winter Sea, was the work of a fantastic cover designer, Kelly Eismann. As a design team, it was one of the earliest “women's fiction” titles we published and having Kelly develop the cover was a big deal for us. She really led the way in creating what would become signature elements used in every Susanna Kearsley cover.

Kelly spent a lot of time reading the book and reviewing Susanna's extensive notes about the time and place, the emotions of the story and the characters. In the end, the cover she submitted for The Winter Sea was perfect.

The soft focus on the character helped create a feeling of timelessness and we liked how the woman feels like she's heading somewhere, and you want to follow her.

Sarah W: What elements are you hoping to capture with the covers? What are the major components that carry over from book to book?

Book The Shadowy Horses
The Shadowy Horses
( A | BN | K | iB)

Sarah C: After The Winter Sea, we wanted to develop Susanna’s next books with that same feeling in mind.

It was easy enough to keep “the look”: the fonts, the title and author branding, the torn brown paper edges, but we also felt that it was essential that the imagery have that feeling of timelessness, and also give the reader the desire to follow the woman into the story.  You don't know where she's going, where she's been, or WHEN in time she's from, but you get a sense that she needs to be followed, and you won't be disappointed if you do. 

Susanna's stories are rich with character development. That's one of the things we continually see in reviews—readers fall in love with her characters. As designers you want to find that element that readers fall in love with and give that to them visually on the cover.

 

Sarah W: Do you use stock art or do you do a photo shoot for your own usage?

Sarah C: All art is stock but none of the covers end up with just a stock image with type. There's a lot of Photoshop work done to get the image to where it ends up, and I think that work adds to the timelessness element.  You don't feel like you are looking at a snapshot of a woman you may already know or a story you've already heard.

All of our artists since Kelly have spent a lot of time going over the manuscript and going through very thorough notes from Susanna about imagery and scenes. Susanna also sends us images that speak to her, and why.

We get a very real and deep sense of the story and imagery from her.

Sarah W: Can you share some alternate ideas for this book that were discarded (and maybe why you didn't use them)?

Sarah C: We looked at a little over 30 covers when working on Season of Storms. The alternative covers were too specific, too dark, too flat. The woman in the flapper type dress gave you a specific time and place to associate with the image. 

The woman in the mask, while interesting, doesn’t have the quality of a woman you want to learn about – to read her story. We worked through variations of these 3 concepts mostly, trying to find the right balance of light and movement and just enough intrigue and detail to make a bookstore or online shopper stop and wonder about the book.

The final cover (below right) has great light and movement, and the palette we chose is actually reminiscent of the cover we did for The Firebird.

Season of Storms alternate cover - blonde woman in a flapper dress turned away from viewerSeason of Storms alternate cover close up on mask that's gold and redSeason of Storms final Cover - woman in yellow dress spinning away from viewer

 

 

Sarah W: What’s next for Kearsley’s covers?

Sarah C: We are right in the middle of planning a “refresh” for Susanna’s next book, coming in spring 2015. As much as we love Susanna's covers, we feel the time is right to breathe some fresh air into them. 

The challenge in front of us is how to do that while still keeping the many elements we love. We want to stay faithful to her as a brand and as an author, and also create a fresh look for her books.  The cover design world changes so fast, it's easy for a design to feel dated just in fonts and type set up.  It's an exciting time for our team!


I want to thank Sarah Castillo for answering all my questions – and the lovely folks at Sourcebooks who have offered up some finished copies of the book to give away. Unfortunately, this giveaway is US-only, because that's where Sourcebooks has the rights to Kearsely's work (I'm sorry, all of y'all who are elsewhere!). I'm throwing in three digital pre-order copies, too, which are (alas) also US-only. (I'm really sorry y'all! I still think you're most excellent and have terrific taste).

I'm giving Rafflecopter another try, after doing some research that indicated increased accessibility for their widgets. If you have any trouble at all, please email me and I'm happy to help you

Standard disclaimers apply: I'm not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to rock or possibly run down a rock path in a nightgown. Whereas, upon participation in the contest as aforesaid, said participant shall nonetheless deliver hereunto all such paraphernalia as reasonably necessary and appropriate.  By submitting  an entry to the contest as set forth herein, each entrant does acknowledge and agree that, in the event such entrant is victorious, such entrant will perform a ceremony reasonably appropriate to such circumstance, including, without limitation, the Electric Slide. I'll select the winners at random on Friday 1 August 2014.

 

A Rafflecopter giveaway

 A Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Giveaway aside, I am curious: does cover art like this capture your attention? Do you think the imagery fits Kearsley's writing style?

Comments are Closed

  1. Krista M. says:

    Love the new Kearsley covers.  They do such a good job of evoking the timeslip quality of her books.

  2. Martha B says:

    The covers intrigue (they are different in a good way) and cause you me to pick up the book and investigate more. (e.g. read the book blurb, read the opening paragraphs, etc.)

    That distinct imagery is unique to her books.

  3. Carrie C. says:

    Love the soft, out of focus look, it really gives a dreamy and romantic quality to the covers.

  4. Julia L. says:

    I do like the covers. They’re very distinctive and they’ve nicely maintained the theme/branding throughout her books, even though they’re standalones. Like some others, I have some of Kearsley’s earlier works and snagged “Firebird” earlier this year when it was on sale, but I look forward to reading more of her books.

  5. RevMelinda says:

    I’ve always loved these Kearsley covers—very evocative and give a good sense of the tone of her books. I have also enjoyed listening to the audiobooks of Winter Sea and Firebird—they made my commute an absolute pleasure.

  6. Katie Lynn says:

    I haven’t read any of Kearsley’s books yet, but they’ve been on my list of things to try. I really like the covers, the soft focus and almost monochromatic colors are striking, but at the same time it doesn’t scream ROMANCE at you, which I appreciate in a physical book I am dragging around with you. If faced between a bodice ripper cover and these, these definitely win.

  7. Helen says:

    The covers are so dreamy!  I haven’t tried any of her books, but look forward to my next day off work to give one a try!

  8. Kelsi says:

    I love her covers.  The first time I read one of her books, I didn’t initially realize it would be a romance—I thought the cover was intriguing and wanted to learn more about British history.  However, I think the softness of the cover really fits in nicely with the softer romance aspect to her books.  All of her books are romances but the history and romance seem to play equal roles.

  9. StarOpal says:

    I’m actually all about that first 20s era cover. Still carries that Kearsley dreamy look, but is distinctive on its own too.

    The covers on her books have always caught my attention. Splendor Falls (I love how striking the red coat is), The Shadowy Horses, and Marianna are probably my favorites.

    I hope the “refresh” doesn’t go too far in trying to fix something that isn’t broken.

  10. Michelle Harlan says:

    I’m definitely somone drawn to great covers! It’s how I first discoverd Susanna Kearsley’s work. I saw the bookcover and fell in love with the dream-like quality of it!

  11. Kathy N says:

    I love covers—they really do tell a story. And I do sometimes judge a book by it’s cover—in a positive way. I can’t wait to read these books.

  12. Glenda says:

    I adore Susanna Kearsley’s book covers, but have not yet read any of her books so I can’t say how well the cover matches her style.  I will admit to not buying more than one book through the years because of a really bad cover.

  13. Val Gilliam says:

    These are definitely unique covers. I’ve not readany of her books but based off past smart bitches recommendations she is added to my list!

  14. Amanda V says:

    Susanna Kearsley is one of my all time favorites, ever since I read the Rose Garden I’ve been hooked and love everything she writes.  I also love the covers and can’t wait to see what the team comes up with next.

  15. MaryC says:

    Love the cover art on Susan’s books. She’s been an auto-buy author since I read The Rose Garden.

  16. Violet Bick says:

    I love the dreamy, romantic quality of the covers. I hope the “refresh” of the next published book will continue to capture this quality.

  17. denise says:

    stunning cover art on all the books—very fitting

  18. Cat Ray says:

    I love these covers—it was the cover of The Winter Sea that compelled me to pick it up (and now I’m a huge fan). I think the style fits well with the stories she writes—a strong woman, the blurring of different time periods, a hint of romance!

  19. Cat Ray says:

    I love these covers—in fact, the cover of The Winter Sea was what compelled me to pick it up and now I’m hooked! I think the covers represent her novels well—a strong female character, the blurring of different time periods, a hint of romance!

  20. Sue D. says:

    I read The Winter Sea in 2 days and got hooked on all her books!

  21. I love the Kearsley covers and appreciate the way they invite you to learn more…more about the woman, where she is, what time period, etc.  Stellar work both inside and out!

  22. GHN says:

    I do like pretty cover art, and I must admit that on occasion, a pretty cover has made me buy the book. I have doscovered some very nice reading matter (and authors) that way! Including some real favorites. I must admit that I haven’t read any of Ms Kearsley’s books (yet) but the covers do look delicious! And i must admit that the redhead on the cover of _the Winter Sea_ makes me want that particular book RIGHT NOW! Why? Because I’m a hennahead and I like a good head of red hair (and my own hair can, look that same color. Though my own hair is longer than the model’s, nyah, nyah!) (This does count as a good reason, doesn’t it?)

  23. catslady says:

    Yes and yes! It definitely gets my attention.

  24. ML says:

    Cover art definitely affects me. If I’m intrigued by a cover, I’ll pick it up. And that’s its job—to get me to examine the book further. Kearsley has arresting cover art, which is a real asset.

  25. leftcoaster says:

    I like the covers for Kearsley’s books a lot and I wish other authors had such thoughtful designs (but I really HATE the covers of most romance novels so I am suspect).

  26. I love all of Susanna books and the covers are fabulous.

  27. zauna says:

    I really like Susanna’s cover art. It’s what drew me into buying the first book. The dreamy, ethereal quality definitely fits with her writing style as well.

  28. Amanda says:

    I love her so much I’d buy her books if they had, like, a collage of images from the Lousy Book Covers blog. Started reading her back in the mid-90s when she was published in mass market by Jove. I do love having all her new books and re-releases on my keeper shelf with their yummy covers and satisfying trim size, though.

  29. Justine says:

    These covers come across as women’s fiction or historical fiction to me, not specifically romance or paranormal romance. I think the covers of Susanna Kearsley’s books are easily identifiable. It’s interesting how they tried to capture a timeless quality with these covers but now the publisher is redoing the covers so that they don’t feel dated.

  30. Haley says:

    I seriously started reading Susanna Kearsley because of the beautiful covers. I definitely judge books by their covers. To me, they’re haunting and mysterious and I just want to stare at them forever.

  31. Sandra says:

    I am in the minority I’m sure, but I don’t care for those covers.  Too busy.. or something.  The white text is hard (for me) to read.

  32. Donna says:

    I found this site thanks to a link on Grace Burrowes’s FB page and I’m so glad I did! You’re now bookmarked. And how great to arrive in time to read about the cover process for one of my favorite authors.

    I love the covers for Kearsley’s books – so much more intelligent looking that shirtless (and hairless!) men. 😉

  33. Susan says:

    I think the Kearsley covers are ok, but they don’t thrill me.  Of all the covers, I liked The Firebird the best, probably because of the colors.  Of the three examples shown for SoS, I like the final one the best by leaps and bounds.

    Since I read digital books almost exclusively these days, cover art has lost a lot of its appeal.  It can certainly catch my eye when browsing for an online purchase, so it can affect whether I pick up and/or buy a book (which is what publishers and authors really care about).  But, after the purchase is made, I will almost never see it again.  That makes me sad, actually, because certain covers are so intrinsically tied to meaningful book experiences from my paper days.

    Thanks for the interesting post.  And the giveaway.

  34. Tina says:

    I haven’t read any of these books, but the covers are beautiful and really eye catching. The Winter Sea is my favorite but I’m not sure why, maybe just a combination of title with her looking away and the colors used.

  35. Milena Mutter says:

    I am guilty of judging books by the cover and her covers make me want to pick the books because they are very atmospheric and eye catching. I have read most of Susannah’s books and loved them

  36. Genghis Mom says:

    I love her books. And I love her covers. I love that they go together and that they suit the mysterious, shrouded story lines, without putting a specific image of the heroine in my head.

  37. Melonie says:

    I LOVE her covers. I have often said Sourcebooks creates some of my favorite covers, and Susanna’s books are no exception. They are gorgeous and definitely played a strong role in hooking me into buying her books in the first place. I call them the “instagram” covers and I don’t mean that negatively – the dark border and coloring/contrast have that feel to them – I like instagram’s editing filters, so it was a plus for me 🙂

  38. Alaina P says:

    i love the covers and love the stories even more! it’s good stuff 🙂

Comments are closed.

By posting a comment, you consent to have your personally identifiable information collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy.

↑ Back to Top