Have you noticed, on occasion, that there is more to a book cover than meets the eye? A story behind the story?
Candace Calvert’s cover model for her medical romance novel, Rescue Team, is former military, having recently served several tours in Afghanistan, and a true hero. Becky Wade’s Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine, feature real life couples on the covers. And how about Ronie Kendig’s Quiet Professionals series? Each of the men on the Raptor 6, Hawk, and Falcon covers are military veterans who have served their country with dedication and courage. Ronie has recently interviewed Gabriel Martinez, the Marine and Purple Heart recipient who represents her character, Salvatore Russo, on the cover of FALCON – the interview is fascinating so be sure to hop on over and thank Gabe for his service.
My question for this week is whether you enjoy there being a bit more to a book cover than just a pretty picture. Are you more likely to pick up a book that has this kind of “backstory”? Do you know of other covers that have their own “story”?
April 7, 2015 at 10:14 am
I love that there’s more to the story than just a nice cover! I had read about Becky’s covers, which just makes me love the stories inside even more, but not about the others. I think it makes the books even more awesome. As well as the characters feel more real. Even though we know they’re fiction, having real people portray them makes them come alive in my head even more. 🙂
April 7, 2015 at 10:48 am
I agree, Kara – thanks for sharing 🙂 Glad you could learn about the other covers here!
April 7, 2015 at 11:18 am
Yes! I’m fascinated with the making of book covers. Whenever there’s a story behind the cover that’s deeper than, “We used stock photography of models,” I’m all the more intrigued. I think it’s wonderful that Bethany House made the effort to shoot real life couples for my Porter Family covers. (The pair on the front of A Love Like Ours were also a real life couple). I’ve had the opportunity to interview each of the three couples and it’s been such fun to learn about their lives and see pictures of them above and beyond what the cover captured. When the couple on the front of Undeniably Yours had their first baby recently — a girl! — it made my day. I felt invested, somehow, as if I’d been given a rare chance to celebrate with Meg and Bo over the arrival of their baby.
I think it’s awesome that Ronie and Candace’s covers feature military vets!
April 7, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Oh, Becky, thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know about A Love Like Ours – I wasn’t sure if they were a real life couple so I didn’t want to assume in my post. Love it!
How lovely that “Meg” and “Bo” have had a little girl. I’m not surprised you feel invested 🙂 As you know I adored A Love Like Ours…review coming soon.
April 7, 2015 at 11:34 am
YES!! LOVE learning “history” behind covers. That creates depth not just to the facade, but to the author and his/her book.
THANK YOU for mentioning the interview with Gabe, as well as the covers for the Quiet Professionals. I did a feature with Brent Gilley who modeled for HAWK last year, and that was cool.
April 7, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Your covers and the stories behind them are so brilliant, Ronie – really adds to the connection for readers, especially with the way you honour veterans through your writing. LOVE it!
April 7, 2015 at 11:51 am
What a great question–and intriguing examples–Rel. Having been in this “biz” for a few years now, I have some insight into the making of a cover. In some cases, authors do not even seen their cover art until it has been decided upon by the publishing team. Having actual creative input during the process is such a blessing. And to have it feel even more personal because of “the story behind the cover” is gold! Thank you for choosing Rescue Team for this feature. I must add that my editors took quite a personal interest in this photo shoot, and I hear that our heroic “Wes” is quite a guy all round.
April 7, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Your editors wouldn’t happen to be female, would they, Candace?! 😉 Such a great story on and between the cover of Rescue Team.
April 7, 2015 at 11:58 am
I LOVE that these covers have a story behind them!!! I didn’t know the background of any of them, but that makes me love these covers even more!
April 7, 2015 at 3:08 pm
I’m so glad we could let you know, Brooke – isn’t it great? Your enthusiasm is catching!
April 7, 2015 at 12:14 pm
I don’t think a cover backstory makes me more likely to pick up a book however I do love that these covers have a story behind them – more than just being a pretty picture. It adds more intrigue and meaning to the cover and its design process. Well done to the designers who put in the hard work to make the hard work of an author’s story look so great. 🙂
April 7, 2015 at 3:09 pm
Spot on, Rissi – kudos to the designers and publishers willing to go the extra mile to add meaning to the cover art.
April 8, 2015 at 12:49 am
I agree. It may not make me more likely to pick up the book, but it may make me love the book more.
April 8, 2015 at 8:02 am
Yes 🙂
April 7, 2015 at 4:20 pm
I do love it when a cover has a story behind it. It doesn’t make any difference as to whether I’ll buy the book or not but I do think it makes the cover that extra bit special!
April 8, 2015 at 8:02 am
I love the connection, too, Kara. It does make it more special, for sure.
April 8, 2015 at 8:19 am
I loved Becky Wade and Ronie Kendig’s cover! And I loved the story behind each model. And that Candace and Ronie’s models are real life heroes.
I LOVE seeing Tamara Leigh’s cover evolution posts. Those are really cool. Her Baron of Godsmere model was umm, hideous and I had to look at him several times just to cope.
April 9, 2015 at 8:03 am
Told you so! You mention Tamara in every blog post comment you make – it’s a gift 😉
April 9, 2015 at 8:05 am
It is. Because je suis a superfan!!!
April 8, 2015 at 9:46 am
I am of a different persuasion – it would make me more prone to buy a book if there is a real life story to the cover. It would have more of a “personal” feel and that the author and publisher have taken an extra step to connect the reader to the story. The “extra effort” would persuade me. Now I’m going to take a double look now at these stories – and the cover stories behind them. Thanks for the question and information Rel – good job!!
April 9, 2015 at 8:04 am
Great to hear, Pam – the extra effort put in does make a difference, doesn’t it?
April 8, 2015 at 12:02 pm
i do love finding out there is a story behind the cover, especially the military ones. I knew Ronie’s models were service men, but I didn’t know Candace’s was also. I love it!
Thank you for sharing these!
Stephanie C.
April 9, 2015 at 8:04 am
A pleasure, Stephanie – glad you enjoyed the insight 🙂
April 10, 2015 at 5:07 am
I LOVE the idea of real people on book covers! I’ve really liked my covers (into which I’ve had minimal input), but this would make for a whole other level of interest not to mention promotion.
April 13, 2015 at 10:19 am
Your covers are terrific, Sarah, but yes, I agree with the added interest real people give to a cover 🙂
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