You have to have it. It's not like you can publish a book without a cover, right?
When you sign with a publisher, you cede some of your creative control. You get a "say" in the cover, but not final say.
When you self-publish, you theoretically get final say, but how can you know if the cover you're paying for is unique or special... or merely "borrowed" from elsewhere. Yes, a lot of cover art websites charge extra for "unique" or one-off covers, but what's to stop them from selling it again? Or manipulating the art to resell as "unique" a second, or third, time. After all, many of these artists use clip art or buy photographs from online sources.
How do you know what you're getting?
Case in point. My original cover for my second mermaid book, which I thought was unique and which came from my (then) YA publisher:
Sometimes the similarities are a lot more in your face. More recently, I read this YA book, set in NYC:
I've also seen a cover with the same foreground and trees instead of buildings in the background.
Limited number of good photos out there? Or limited imagination?
What's your take?
In the meantime, Happy Writing to all!
I actually had this happen to me with a cover my old publisher did for me. A couple months later, someone else used the same image on their book too. So frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. Even worse can be when someone else steals your title... but that's a rant for another day, lol.
DeleteMaybe like minds or popular images. I've seen similar covers to mine. However, I did explain what I wanted to my cover artist and chose the cover models and background for the feel of my book.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, the cover artists at our publisher do a wonderful job listening and trying to match our vision, Tena. Other publishers, not so much.
DeleteAnd I have to admit, I've seen your particular cover models on several other books out there.
I, too, have had this happen. The cover for my fourth Steampunk Romance, "Steel Kisses" was very unique and created by my publisher's artist using stock photos. A few months later, I saw the same model--in the same pose and the same colored dress!--on the cover of another book by that same publisher. Different cover artist, I'm sure, but it does feel like a blow to the gut, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteGut punch for sure. Like my original mermaid cover - somehow I thought that was pretty unique, but no, just clip art.
DeleteCover art is tough. I recently self-published a three book series, and getting the cover art right was the absolute hardest thing for me. I agonized over my choices for the art and the font because you really only have one crack at it. I'm going to pray that versions of my cover art don't show up elsewhere. That's about all I can do.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to know when you're choosing art from a freelancer or a pre-made cover. They *say* it only gets sold once, but really, who's to say? I guess if you start seeing it everywhere, then you don't buy from them again.
DeleteOh yeah. The original cover for A MURDER OF PRINCIPLE was so bad, I asked for a complete re-do and implored the artist to go back to my questionnaire asking for a principal's desk with legs sprawled underneath. I only have ONE chance to ask for changes. What came back was sexy legs in a hiked-up little black dress and stiletto heels. My murdered principal was middle-aged with thick ankles and ugly shoes. Sigh. Anyway, "Sex sells."
ReplyDeleteThat's a whole 'nother story with cover art, Susan! My second book, with a publisher no longer in business, had an original cover that I could only describe as "fleshy" - yet the book itself was more chic lit and my heroine would Never wear that much makeup, like ever. And that's what the publisher told me - "Sex sells." I ouldn't really know since they never paid out any royalties before closing up shop, but again, that's a rant for a different day. Happy Writing!
DeleteThe same thing happened to me with my first book, and I was too naive to know cover artists often use stock images. I revealed the cover of Silver Lake, which I LOVED, and another Rose commented that it looked nearly identical to one of hers...which it did, except hers had people off to the side. I immediately told TWRP and they decided to give me a totally new cover, since the books were from the same pub, but I wish I hadn't said a word, I think I liked the old cover better lol. Great post! Shared!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and chiming in, Kathryn! I remember you telling that story at the shanty last summer - I'm bummed we won't have that opportunity again this year! We'll have to come up with another joint book selling opportunity!
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