Run for Cover!

There are so many exciting moments throughout the development of a novel from start to finish. It's actually, a very exciting process. At least it is for me. I start with a blank sheet of paper and it all seems impossible, quite overwhelming, really. But somehow, I manage to write the first line, and even if I change it later, it’s an awesome feeling. I think it’s just because I actually started.  I no longer have a blank page.

I keep writing until the first chapter is complete. It’s a big step forward. Then day after day, I continue writing page after page, and I watch my baby grow, 1000 words, 10,000 words, 30,000 words, and it goes on. I’m always thrilled when I reach the halfway mark because it feels like I’m no longer peddling uphill, and the pace seems to pick up. And by the time I’m 10 or 15 thousand words from the finish line, I’m at full throttle.

When I final finish the first draft, it’s like a weight has lifted. “Whew…I did it.” Even though, I know I’m a  long way from finished. Then the editing process begins. I like that part. For me, the pressure is off and I don’t need the “quiet space” I needed for the creative part. 

However, one of my favorite parts is creating the book cover. That’s probably because I don’t do it myself. I have a wonderful graphic designer, Karen Phillips, who is extremely patient with me. I send her ideas and she creates. Then I send her comments and she tweeks. More ideas. More creating. More tweeking. Eventually, I see it and it hits me, that’s the one. But this time, for book #5 in The Advocate Series, I can’t seem to decide on the color. I have the graphics like I want them, but uncertain about the color. So I sent an email out to my newsletter list (a few thousand of my readers) asking them to help with this decision. I just sent the email so I don’t have many results yet, but here are my covers. Please feel free to pick your favorite. If you want to see what my other book covers look like, please go to my website at www.teresaburrell.com. I’m trying to build a brand so I want it to fit in with the others.

Choice A                                                                                    Choice B

 Choice C                                                                                     Choice D

There are still a lot more steps beyond this one, writing the copy for the back cover, sending it out to Beta Readers, obtaining reviews, formatting the manuscript, planning the launch, etc. The list goes on and on. And when that is all done, the real work begins…marketing! I’m a bit of a freak in that I love the marketing. I know so many authors who really hate this part, but for me it’s as exciting as writing the book. But that’s for another day. 

So, if you saw these covers online or in a bookstore which one would you be most likely to purchase?

Teresa Burrell

Author of The Advocate Series