Book covers are designed from different perspectives.  The author wants the cover to graphically display the purpose and heart of the book.. The artist tries to display his or her  artistic abilities .  The publisher wants a cover that  “sells!” The reader hopes the cover will tell her what this book is about.

Not every reader realizes that the author seldom has any control over the cover.  She may give suggestions– even a rough design, which may or not be used.  And as most authors’ contracts say, ‘the final decision rests with the publisher’.

Over the years I’ve had cover designs I’ve loved, and some I haven’t appreciated.  I received a suggested cover from Paternoster in England for Women as Rick Takers for God— a silhouette of two women’s faces, nose to nose, as though in confrontation. Instead the book was about women as leaders in the church around the world, joyfully and lovingly serving God.  I guess my disconcerted call from Turkey, where I was visiting my son, convinced the publisher he should try again.  And try he did with a creative cover that stands out from the rest.

I have included here the cover of my latest book, Daughters of Deliverance.  Do I like it?  Welllll– yes because it is very colorful  and attracts readers, which will please the publisher and probably my pocketbook.  But it doesn’t tell the story.  In fact, if you haven’t read Daughters of Deliverance  or the information on the back cover or on Amazon — what does it say to you?

Tell me, what do you look for in a cover?  What causes you to pick up the book , or click on Amazon’s picture to open and read?  I’m about ready to make suggestions for the sequel to Daughters of Deliverance.  It is titled The Queen’s Daughters. Consider yourself the artist for a moment.  You know little about the story — you really don’t have tie to read all the books you work on.  How would your cover fit the title?