Lisa-Marie: Yes, I usually try to read the book first, but sometimes the manuscript isn’t available yet, or it’s a late addition to the schedule and there’s no time.
There’s a Flash application called SimpleViewer that you might want to consider for a future iteration — it does a great job of showing off tons of images efficiently.
I’m an avid book reader….in fact I own more books than the average person I would say. Close to 2500. And the cover…it does matter. Several of the books you designed covers for were purchased solely on the merit of their covers and I was glad and excited to see that it was in fact you behind the scenes. I never knew….thanks for sharing.
I really love all of the book covers…seriously. And what you have done to your house…amazing! This is the first time I have ever commented on your blog (or any other website for that matter), but you should be very proud of yourself. I hope that didn’t sound cheesey!
Lovely covers, and a nice new site! Maybe this is obvious, but I’m wondering about the process– do you coordinate/request photoshoots for the covers, or do you work off stock images or something? What about non-photographic content? What an interesting and mysterious job!
Lillian: Wasn’t Still Alice amazing?! I’m glad you liked it. Of other books I’ve worked on recently, I especially loved the ones by Celia Samartin (Tarnished Beauty and Vigil).
Dan: It really depends on the book and the budget and what’s needed for a particular cover, but I’d say we use about 75% stock photos (often what you see on the cover has been heavily manipulated, though, and is often a combination of 3 or 4 different images), with the remainder being either commissioned illustrations or photo shoots done specifically for the book.
This is so cool– Can you say more about the process? How closely do you work with the authors when crafting covers? (I confess I have a selfish motive for asking– I’m working on my first novel.)
I don’t work with the authors at all, PhillyLass — everything gets funneled through agents, publishers, and art directors. Chances are that you won’t have any contact with the person who designs the cover for your book — but it would still be nice to send them a thank you note when it’s all finished. ;)
I’ve read lots of your back posts, but yet I didn’t realize you design book jackets. You do amazing work! I have to say that I love the book Still Alice. I wrote a little review on it last winter.
Holy crap! I have the first edition of The Booster, and I thought the cover was so right on with the story. What an amazing job you have! Love it. Congrats on your success!
I love your new portfolio. Very clean and well put-together.
I’m curious though (as someone else has also asked), as to how you get the photography for the designs. Stock photos? Do you go out and take photos yourself? Do you have someone else who you delegate your ideas to?
This actually relates more to the B/W post earlier, and to posts of your house in general. There is never any wiring? Lamps, computers (in the office for example)? Is it because the wallpaper in the office is black and you can’t see the wires against it? The lamp is to the side though . . . no power cord?
Liza, if you look at the wall to the left of the lamp, you’ll see where the cord is plugged in! As for the computer, when we put up the wallpaper, we installed a black outlet and cover so it would be hidden.
I’m very good at hiding cords. :) We had outlets installed in very convenient locations, and all of our computer equipment is wireless (and hidden behind doors). Even our telephone is behind a door! Our cable jacks are inside the wall, so you never see the wiring for that, either.
And when all else fails, that’s what Photoshop is for. ;)
Oh, how neat it would be to design book covers for a living! A graphic designer myself (from south dakota) wondering how you came across this particular avenue of work…?
Anna,
I love your blog. I’ve been following it for a little while. Your website is awesome. I recently read one of the books. The covers are so beautiful…i’m intrigued to read several of them. Do you have any favorites of the ones you’ve actually read and designed covers for? Care to share?
he he, that’s so funny! I read “how to be single” about 10 months ago because I loved the getty image you used! :) he he he, it’s good to know I’m a blog fan of it’s cover design!
girl….it has been too long!! I’ve missed it here……and I’m completely blown away by all of your book covers! WOW……you do super great work……
…..also was catching up on all of the house projects……love the black trim on the outside…..you all have done such a fantastic job on your house……..it looks so happy …..
…..love the way your blog looks too……I’m probably way late on that one……but better late than never , right?
I remember seeing the cover of How To Be Single and thought the cover was so perfect! The image of a woman zipping or unzipping her own dress, I wanted to read it just because I thought the cover was so appropriate.
hey anna – fantastic! it’s so wonderful to see a whole lineup of your book designs. you are amazing!
[Reply]
I love it! I never knew you designed the “Hiding in Hip Hop” cover!
[Reply]
I just saw that on Twitter. See, I’m learning!
Love seeing the covers, will see if I can find one of yours in the bookstore at the airport on Monday!
[Reply]
I had no idea..! Your site looks wonderful – congratulations!
-maria
[Reply]
I also saw it on twitter! I have read 3 of the books you’ve designed covers for! I am curious, do you read the book before you design the cover?
[Reply]
i like!
[Reply]
Lisa-Marie: Yes, I usually try to read the book first, but sometimes the manuscript isn’t available yet, or it’s a late addition to the schedule and there’s no time.
[Reply]
Clearly design is in your blood! Beautiful body of work and I LOVE your blog.
[Reply]
You have possibly the most awesome job ever!! Wonderful work!
[Reply]
Nice! Lovely portfolio.
There’s a Flash application called SimpleViewer that you might want to consider for a future iteration — it does a great job of showing off tons of images efficiently.
[Reply]
I love the title. It made me take 5 to look at your portfolio.
[Reply]
This is so neat! It’s amazing how they all look so different but equally amazing. :)
[Reply]
really great, and what a diverse range of work …makes for a very interesting job methinks.
[Reply]
How beautiful! I see your books everywhere, it’s nice to know that a fellow blogger designed them! Great job!
[Reply]
I’m an avid book reader….in fact I own more books than the average person I would say. Close to 2500. And the cover…it does matter. Several of the books you designed covers for were purchased solely on the merit of their covers and I was glad and excited to see that it was in fact you behind the scenes. I never knew….thanks for sharing.
[Reply]
Great portfolio! Anna, as you read most of the books, do you have any recommendations? I read “Still Alice” because you recommended it and loved it.
[Reply]
Wow, I love your work! For a long time my secret dream has been to design book covers :)
[Reply]
I recognize so many of them!
[Reply]
Hi Anna,
I really love all of the book covers…seriously. And what you have done to your house…amazing! This is the first time I have ever commented on your blog (or any other website for that matter), but you should be very proud of yourself. I hope that didn’t sound cheesey!
[Reply]
I’m a book by it’s cover girl. Cool job!
[Reply]
Lovely covers, and a nice new site! Maybe this is obvious, but I’m wondering about the process– do you coordinate/request photoshoots for the covers, or do you work off stock images or something? What about non-photographic content? What an interesting and mysterious job!
[Reply]
Lillian: Wasn’t Still Alice amazing?! I’m glad you liked it. Of other books I’ve worked on recently, I especially loved the ones by Celia Samartin (Tarnished Beauty and Vigil).
Dan: It really depends on the book and the budget and what’s needed for a particular cover, but I’d say we use about 75% stock photos (often what you see on the cover has been heavily manipulated, though, and is often a combination of 3 or 4 different images), with the remainder being either commissioned illustrations or photo shoots done specifically for the book.
[Reply]
I absolutely adore your career. You are perfect for your job, and I aspire to be as fit for what I do as you are for what you do!
[Reply]
Gorgeous covers!
[Reply]
This is so cool– Can you say more about the process? How closely do you work with the authors when crafting covers? (I confess I have a selfish motive for asking– I’m working on my first novel.)
[Reply]
I don’t work with the authors at all, PhillyLass — everything gets funneled through agents, publishers, and art directors. Chances are that you won’t have any contact with the person who designs the cover for your book — but it would still be nice to send them a thank you note when it’s all finished. ;)
[Reply]
Just wanted to let you know Still Alice is one of my most favorite books and the cover is just perfect. It completely captured the book!!
[Reply]
Congrats on your new site- your work is great. I especially like the lessons of a lipstick queen one. Do you have a favourite?
[Reply]
I’ve read lots of your back posts, but yet I didn’t realize you design book jackets. You do amazing work! I have to say that I love the book Still Alice. I wrote a little review on it last winter.
Very nice portfolio.
-FringeGirl
[Reply]
Holy crap! I have the first edition of The Booster, and I thought the cover was so right on with the story. What an amazing job you have! Love it. Congrats on your success!
[Reply]
I love your new portfolio. Very clean and well put-together.
I’m curious though (as someone else has also asked), as to how you get the photography for the designs. Stock photos? Do you go out and take photos yourself? Do you have someone else who you delegate your ideas to?
[Reply]
So glad you did this! I’ve always wondered which ones you worked out…
Just finished reading Weiner’s Best Friends Forever actually (she’s one of the few “chick-lit” authors I read) and thoroughly enjoyed it.
[Reply]
This actually relates more to the B/W post earlier, and to posts of your house in general. There is never any wiring? Lamps, computers (in the office for example)? Is it because the wallpaper in the office is black and you can’t see the wires against it? The lamp is to the side though . . . no power cord?
[Reply]
Liza, if you look at the wall to the left of the lamp, you’ll see where the cord is plugged in! As for the computer, when we put up the wallpaper, we installed a black outlet and cover so it would be hidden.
I’m very good at hiding cords. :) We had outlets installed in very convenient locations, and all of our computer equipment is wireless (and hidden behind doors). Even our telephone is behind a door! Our cable jacks are inside the wall, so you never see the wiring for that, either.
And when all else fails, that’s what Photoshop is for. ;)
[Reply]
Oh, how neat it would be to design book covers for a living! A graphic designer myself (from south dakota) wondering how you came across this particular avenue of work…?
[Reply]
I didn’t know that you were behind the cover for Still Alice, an amazing story. Now I love the book even more! Thank you!
[Reply]
oh my goodness! I just discovered your fantastic blog, looked at these images and…
I had just finished reading ‘Still Alice’, which I LOVED.
You captured the mood beautifully in the cover!
[Reply]
Anna,
I love your blog. I’ve been following it for a little while. Your website is awesome. I recently read one of the books. The covers are so beautiful…i’m intrigued to read several of them. Do you have any favorites of the ones you’ve actually read and designed covers for? Care to share?
[Reply]
I’ve been checking your site daily for quite a while and I love it. These covers are great. Here is a site I saw that I thought you would enjoy. It’s a design and Typo blog http://paris.blog.lemonde.fr/2006/06/02/2006_06_lou_dorfsman_le/
I can’t read it but it looks amazing.
[Reply]
he he, that’s so funny! I read “how to be single” about 10 months ago because I loved the getty image you used! :) he he he, it’s good to know I’m a blog fan of it’s cover design!
[Reply]
i forgot to include this link too
http://www.typogabor.com/cbs-dorfsman/index_2.html#30
[Reply]
girl….it has been too long!! I’ve missed it here……and I’m completely blown away by all of your book covers! WOW……you do super great work……
…..also was catching up on all of the house projects……love the black trim on the outside…..you all have done such a fantastic job on your house……..it looks so happy …..
…..love the way your blog looks too……I’m probably way late on that one……but better late than never , right?
…….enjoyed it……promise to keep in touch …:)
[Reply]
Cool! I actually think I’ve seen a few of them in the bookstore I work in here in Sydney.
[Reply]
I remember seeing the cover of How To Be Single and thought the cover was so perfect! The image of a woman zipping or unzipping her own dress, I wanted to read it just because I thought the cover was so appropriate.
[Reply]