I have many ideas for the front cover, a few for the back cover and the blurb.
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Much, much worse than just a cover, I have commissioned jewellery! This of course was all with the excuse of good publicity and possible cover idea, but really I just wanted to wear her necklace. It arrives next week.
On the plus side, I'm going to photograph it and use the images on my website.
I read a recommendation from an Agent, perhaps in Writers Artists?, that asked very kindly not to send in illustration for covers since they would rarely be considered at submission stage. Agents and publishers are more interested in assessing you as a writer, not an illustrator.Generally, unless you have a deal already, I think the norm is to submit without pictures but you could mention there are illustrations or maps, and ideas for jackets in your cover letter.
I have a cover for my own novel and only include it with email submissions when I send in .pdf format, naturally as the front page.
Of course, if you intend to self-publish, yes a good cover is essential. Remember It should look good small too, as an icon on a web page, so not too much tiny detail.
As for blurb, it is always good to write your own to help you sort things out in your head, but again it is usually the publishers job to write a book blurb. Giving them suggestions once you have a book deal would do no harm though.
Much, much worse than just a cover, I have commissioned jewellery! This of course was all with the excuse of good publicity and possible cover idea, but really I just wanted to wear her necklace. It arrives next week.
On the plus side, I'm going to photograph it and use the images on my website.
Blurb's really difficult - telling the whole story in few words and in such a way as to attract readers...but without giving anything away!
It's good as an exercise in writing a tightly precised synopsis, though *groan*
I read a recommendation from an Agent, perhaps in Writers Artists?, that asked very kindly not to send in illustration for covers since they would rarely be considered at submission stage. Agents and publishers are more interested in assessing you as a writer, not an illustrator.Generally, unless you have a deal already, I think the norm is to submit without pictures but you could mention there are illustrations or maps, and ideas for jackets in your cover letter.
I have a cover for my own novel and only include it with email submissions when I send in .pdf format, naturally as the front page.
Of course, if you intend to self-publish, yes a good cover is essential. Remember It should look good small too, as an icon on a web page, so not too much tiny detail.
As for blurb, it is always good to write your own to help you sort things out in your head, but again it is usually the publishers job to write a book blurb. Giving them suggestions once you have a book deal would do no harm though.