Much Ado About Cover Art

Most of us judge a book by its cover, as much as we hate to admit it.  As a writer, I should know better, I know, but if I don't recognize the author's name, I need something to draw me in besides the title, no matter how creative it is.  We are visual creatures after all, right? 

On that note, I have spent quite a bit of time lately thinking about what my next step is as a writer.  I am getting close to finishing my re-writes and my editor is closing in on the finish line, so that scary step is coming up: sending out my work.  I had a brief, unsuccessful, experience with this stage before.  I admit it.  It didn't go so well.  Mostly because I was unprepared....for every aspect of it.  I was so excited about finishing my first novel and getting all my thoughts down on paper, I sort of ignored the basic rules of submitting your work (i.e. research agents before you send a query letter, edit the hell out of it, and get your friends and family to read the thing!).  After recieving less than positive responses to my eight query letters, I decided it was time to go back to the drawing board.  For anybody keeping notes, it has been nearly 14 months since that time, so it's safe to say I have learned a fair bit about what to do, and what not to do.

Before I enter that delightfully uneasy position again, I am going to prepare just a bit more.  And that's where the cover art comes in.  The usual query packet includes a letter, the first ten pages of your work, and generally a personal note begging the agent to give the author a chance.  In today's market, I think a little more professionalism is needed, folks.  That's why I will be sending out a letter, a sample of my work, with cover art!  After debating between drawings and photography, I have decided to go with the latter.  There is a very talented photographer who has agreed to do my cover photo and jacket cover, so keep your eye out for some samples coming out on my blog in the near future!! 

I'll be posting another page of my novel tomorrow, so come on back, and will be starting some cool new weekly updates coming up too!