Saturday, November 14, 2009

What if ?

What would you do, if you could sell your book but have no say in the cover design? (I must have a say or I won’t get published)

Let’s go a step further and say you did sell the book. But hate the cover with all you heart, and the only way out was to cancel your agreement. Would you let it be published with the cover you hated or Bag the deal? (Answer above. the cover means everything, a bad cover to me = bad sales)

What if you could sell your book but the main Characters names would have to be changed to names you hated. Would you let it go to get published or bag the deal? (I am married to my main 3 chars names, I must have them or I will just forget it)

What if they asked you to change the main idea or theme of your book to get published? Would you go ahead and do it, or bag the deal? (If it makes my story stronger and I see the bigger picture, sure I’ll do it. But yet again if I don’t agree… just forget it…

Just a few thought that floated into my head, during my all night writing session.

Thx for your time...

5 comments:

  1. I dunno about this one...

    I did not have a say in my cover design. I had different (NOT better or worse) ideas in mind for the cover of Blood and Groom.

    However, as a newbie, I trusted the publisher (Dundurn) to come up with something cool. I think their design is eye-catching and will prompt readers to pick it up off the shelf to at least read the blurb on the back and hopefully buy it! I alos like the colouring they chose - black, white and red; I think it's pretty striking.

    Cheers, Jill
    www.jilledmondson.com
    "Blood and Groom" is now in stores!

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  2. The cover is not a deal breaker for me, though I think it's important. I have no illusions on my artistic ability.

    Characters names, I would work with the publisher. I'm sure a compromise would be reached.

    However, I would not change the book fundamentally to be published unless such change improved it. That last caveat is imposrtant. I will take any advice if I think it improves that story. If it does, it's still my story. However, if it doesn't improve the story, I won't do it.

    However, if you want this much autonomy, I suspect this could seriously impinge on book deals. Once you've signed a contract, you will only have the rights, including backing out, you agreed to. Especially for newbie writers, calling the shots in the contract is unlikely. I know, at least for me, contracts aren't my strong suit and it is theirs.

    What I'm saying is stay sharp if there are things you won't compromise on.

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  3. I just keep referring to: http://authorsunion.blogspot.com/2009/10/writing-for-love.html

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  4. thx all you input helps a great deal...

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  5. Honestly, the best sales creator is a good book. Even better, a good book read well. I've gone to book readings where I didn't have the first clue about the author, and by the end of an hour I bought every book she was selling, just because she was a brilliant reader and storyteller.

    I've even bought books of poetry that way. I bought one in Spanish, just because I thought the poet was magnificent.

    Once the book gets to readers, they tell other readers about it. The more you are willing to sell your book, but more people will buy it.

    I couldn't care less what the book cover looks like. If I think the insides are ready, and I'm ready to tackle the world with a bag of those books slung on my back, then it's going to be a great experience.

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