DEBORAH CROMBIE: It's always a treat to have Judy Penz Sheluk here, and what better way to beat the heat than a new mystery anthology! But did you ever think about how challenging it must be to design covers across a series of anthologies?
Crowing about Cover Art
Judy Penz Sheluck
A lot of thought goes into book cover design. That’s because publishers know that good covers not only help to sell books, they also define the genre, and in the case of mysteries, the sub-genres. A cozy mystery, for example, might feature a floppy-eared dog or a pair of calico cats, a historical mystery, Art Deco styling or other vintage elements, a standalone suspense, a creepy staircase. But what if the book includes several sub-genres of mystery? In other words, what if it’s an anthology?
That’s the dilemma I face every time I get ready to launch another Superior Shores Anthology, where the 20+ stories in every collection represent many facets of mystery and suspense. Of course, it helps that each anthology has a theme, but even then, some themes are easier than others. Take Moonlight & Misadventure (#3). A full moon, some creepy trees…the cover practically designed itself.
Not so much this year’s anthology, Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers. As a catchy title and a theme that allows for multiple interpretations, it hit all the right notes. But how did one design a schemer or a dreamer? True, midnight might lend itself to a moon, but we’d already done one of those. And because the decision was made early on to use the same color scheme and font for every SSP Anthology another moon wasn’t going to cut it
“Hmmm…” Hunter said, too professional to tell me what he really thought, but let’s face it, hmmm isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
Fast forward a couple of days and Hunter approached me with a concept and a rough sketch “What about a crow?” he asked. "A group of crows is a murder, and crows are known for their cunning and intelligence, schemers, if you will. And they love shiny objects, so I thought, if the crow was flying with a key, the key could represent a daydream.”
I loved the symbolism Hunter was suggesting. Loved the rough sketch he sent to support his idea. But mostly, I love the final cover. In fact, I love it so much I even created a 45-piece online jigsaw puzzle for it.
Try it if you dare. The best time so far is 6:30, the longest 14:25.
READERS: Have you ever purchased a book based on the cover? If so, what drew you in and why?
About Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers: 22 stories of Mystery and Suspense: Desire or desperation, revenge or retribution—how far would you go to realize a dream? The twenty-two authors in this collection explore the possibilities, with predictably unpredictable results.
Featuring stories by Pam Barnsley, Linda Bennett, Clark Boyd, C.W. Blackwell, Amanda Capper, Susan Daly, James Patrick Focarile, Rand Gaynor, Gina X. Grant, Julie Hastrup, Beth Irish, Charlie Kondek, Edward Lodi, Bethany Maines, Jim McDonald, Donalee Moulton, Michael Penncavage, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Peggy Rothschild, Debra Bliss Saenger, and Joseph S. Walker. You can find it here.
About Judy: The Past Chair of Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) and a former journalist and magazine editor, Judy Penz Sheluk is the multiple award-winning author of seven bestselling mystery novels, two books on publishing, and several short stories. She is also the editor/publisher of five Superior Shores Anthologies, including the 2025 Derringer-nominated Larceny & Last Chances. Find her at www.judypenzsheluk.com.
DEBS: I, for one, am incredibly susceptible to cover art. A recent foray into our shiny new B&N had me agog at all the gorgeous covers (and also wishing I wrote fantasy because there were so many drool-worthy covers in that genre) but I can't articulate what exactly works for me. I loved this insight into a cover designer's process!
What say you, dear readers?
Covers capture my interest, inspire me to pick up a book . . . I love the crow symbolism in your newest book cover, Judy. Definitely looking forward to reading those stories . . . .
ReplyDeleteThank so much Joan. I would never have thought of a crow. So grateful that Hunter came up with the idea. I hope you enjoy the stories. Love to hear which one was your fave!
DeleteJUDY: Yes, trying to come up with a cover to symbolize schemers & dreamers would be tough! I like the crow symbolism that Hunter came up with and that your anthologies are recognizable as a series from the same publisher (you).
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I rarely choose a book based on the cover, even when I am browsing for books in a bookstore. Maybe it's because 80% of what I read are digital ARCs without one?
Thanks Grace for commenting. Like you, I don't select a book because of its cover BUT I have NOT selected a book because of its cover --- if that makes sense.
DeleteCongratulations on a new anthology, Judy, and on a series of great covers, including the new one!
ReplyDeleteI don't buy books based on their covers, but I do like when I can tell what kind of story might be within, and I can definitely distinguish amateurish covers from professionally done ones.
Thanks Edith. As the publisher/editor of these, I do most of the heavy lifting (book formatting, interior files etc) but I don't even consider doing the cover art. I know my limitations!
DeleteI love the crow Judy--what a clever cover partner you have! how were the stories chosen?
ReplyDeleteThanks Roberta. I am grateful for the day I discovered Hunter!
DeleteGreat cover, Judy! I am definitely drawn to books by their covers, no question. (Likewise, I dismiss books because I don't want to read that type of story.) These days, cover art tells you exactly what genre to expect. But before I hit "purchase," or walk to the cash register, (or the checkout desk) I take a look to see what the story is about. So a cover may draw me in, but it doesn't mean I'll read the book.
ReplyDeleteLikewise, there are authors whose books I will read no matter what the cover looks like.
Hi Judy. I'm like you on all counts!
DeleteThe cover is going to attract me to pick up the book and the synopsis is going to make me decide on whether I will read and/or buy the book.
ReplyDeleteI also read the book synopsis to decide whether to buy a new book. The cover usually does not influence whether I buy/read the book. I guess I am not much of a visual person.
DeleteThanks Dru Ann (and thanks for having Gina Grant, one of the authors, on your blog) and for the initial cover reveal. You are a treasure. Grace: if it's not the cover, what is it that draws you? Author name? Recommendation by a friend/Goodreads? Just curious!
DeleteIf it's a new author, then it's the book title that makes me pick it up to read the synopsis. Sometimes I choose a book by a new author that is recommended by an author I like to read. JRW also has "What are you reading" blog posts which greatly adds to my out-of-control TBR.
DeleteI hear you Grace. My TBR is out of control but I've added audiobooks and they are great for when I'm driving to our camp or if I just feel too tired to read print.
DeleteMany of us here love audiobooks, too, Judy. I listen to them all the time, but I don't ever buy them until I have listened to a sample. A narrator can enhance a story, or ruin it for you forever
DeleteSo true, Judy.
DeleteThat is true Judy -- a narrator can make or break an audiobook. I particularly love Saskia Maarleveld. I will listen to anything narrated by her.
DeleteThanks for recommending a new narrator, Judy. I'll see what Saskia M. has read--I'm also an avid listener to audiobooks.
DeleteI do love a nice cover, but I am more likely to buy a book based on who wrote it. The ultimate bottom line for me is what is the book about so give me a good synopsis.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I think we are all a bit like you, which makes it all the more difficult for an unknown or new author to break through. That's when I think cover art really is important.
DeleteDru Ann’s comment made me think that I could pick up a book with a cover that attracts me but it’s the synopsis that would make me buy it or not.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if a cover is too dark, too gruesome or suggests a lot of violence, I’ll not even pick it up to read the synopsis because I’m not attracted to those kind of stories.
Fortunately Judy, your covers are intriguing and not repulsive at all. And I loved to learn how it came to be created.
Thanks Danielle. I'm often surprised at how uninventive some covers are by bigger names. But I guess their name sells the book! Agreed I always read the synopsis (another post for that!)
DeleteSometimes the author must be stunned over the synopsis that is written, either inside the cover, or on a web page like Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Frequently, they give away too much story, sometimes they seem to be about a different book.
DeleteYou're right Judy. Too much info is the worst. So are reviews where the reviewer gives too much away (though I suppose I should be grateful for the review!)
DeleteI love this series of covers for your anthologies. I don't think cover art has ever been my sole reason to buy a book. I definitely have picked them up because the cover attracted me, but like others, I have to be interested in the words describing the story. I did buy Kent Krueger's Ordinary Grace because of the title, and was so glad! It was so good, and led me to his other books.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gillian. It's fab when we find a new author. I just discovered Chris Whitaker. His All The Colors of the Dark is probably the best book I've read in 2 years.
DeleteI had read "We Begin at the End" by Chris Whitaker several years ago. Search it out; it's also excellent. Annette
DeleteAll The Colors of the Dark is a great book! I found him, thanks to Hank's video interview on Crime Time.
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DeleteAnnette, i just finished 2 days ago We Begin at the End. I'll admit to being a bit disappointed in it only because Dark was just so much better and my expectations were too high. But it had a dynamite ending and definitely worth reading.
Thank you Deborah for facilitating this post -- very much appreciated. It is always a thrill to be a guest on JRW. I read it religiously every day!
ReplyDeleteHappy to know you're a regular, Judy!
DeleteCovers often get me to pick up a book, but it's the back copy and first few pages that sell it. The most recent is very recent - I was in the Salt Lake City airport last Friday on my way home. I knew I'd need a book. The cover of VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED caught my eye - and it has spredges! Fortunately, it also sounded intriguing and I'd read a review on BOLO Books.
ReplyDeleteI've done that, Liz. I always read the "sample" on Amazon before buying. And reviews matter a lot to me too, so if I'd read a strong review on Dru Ann or BOLO, for example, that might impact my decision.
DeleteLove all the crows on these covers. But I “don’t judge a book by its cover”, and can’t recall making a reading or not reading decision based on a cover. If it were not for the Jungle Reds and other authors doing cover reveals in blogs, in newsletters, and in blogs, I’d pay no attention to covers. The reveals give me hope that the book will soon be released! Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteHi Elisabeth -- I think you've made a case for blogs and newsletters. It all helps readers make a decision (or that's the hope). Thanks for leaving a comment.
DeleteHi Judy! Echoing Lucy, can you tell us a bit more about the stories and how they were chosen?
ReplyDeleteOops, missed that part in my flurry of responses. I read 80 stories (that's my cutoff) with the plan to accept 20-21 (I always include one of my stories). The first read, I will reject any that don't mean the theme, have excessive violence or bad language etc. (these are cozies, but they are not meant to keep readers up at night!), and NO werewolves! I really don't get werewolves. The second read, I look for similar plots. There can only be one story with a black cat, for example. So if there are two, I select the strongest to go forward. Once I'm down to about 35 stories, I send those to my first reader for her opinion. In this collection that was Amanda Capper. I compare her thoughts with my initial impressions. Usually this will reduce by another 6 or 7. So now, I'm down to 28 stories or so. Those are sent to Andrea Adair-Tippins, who has helped me on past anthologies. Andrea's comments are compared to Amanda's and my notes. If they both love a story and I'm on the fence (as was the case in this collection), I trust them. If they are both iffy on a story and I'm on the fence, that reduces another one. But through all of this I see a pattern emerging. In this anthology, the overall tone is lighter. Not to say there isn't a dark one in there, but overall, there's more humor and a feeling of hope. And so a lot of it is just gut feel of what will work together and how they will all fit, a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. Wow! That makes me tired just thinking of it :-) thanks for asking Lucy and Deborah.
DeleteThank you, Judy. This is fascinating. And it sounds like so much work!
DeleteIt is a lot of work and really a labor of love. My goal is always to break even and support other authors. So, blogs like this help to hopefully encourage sales and promote the book!
DeleteHi, Judy! Loved your Glass Dolphin series, by the way.
ReplyDeleteCover art is a minor part of my reasons for picking up/choosing a book. But the type or genre of art can communicate a lot, I think, sometimes very subtly.
Anthologies are very popular with my Little Free Library patrons. After I finish one I always put it out, and they vanish pretty quickly!
The link to your jigsaw puzzle is not working, by the way.
I'll see if I can fix it.
DeleteHere is the correct puzzle link: https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2009b73f9ac9
DeleteHi Karen, thanks so much on the Glass Dolphin series. I'm actually dabbling with the idea of a Glass Dolphin/Marketville mashup -- got another project underway first but the germ of an idea is with me. I love Little Free Libraries! Great idea. I'll put one of mine in my local LFL.
DeleteA mashup would be fun!
DeleteThanks for the repaired link, too.
I'll admit I am a visual person, so a book cover is rather important to me initially. It draws me to it and the synopsis and a quick read of the first few pages tells me if it is worth my time. Once I am hooked on an author, I don't pay quite as much attention to the cover because I know I'll love what is inside. That being said, there is one author whose publisher uses the exact same picture for every book, changing only the book title. That is a real turn off for me. To me it suggests a lack of creativity in cover design which makes me feel like it is just a cookie-cutter plot with the same "vehicle" of delivery only different players. Not interesting to me at all. -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that, Victoria!
DeleteVictoria, I know what you mean. There are some publishers who use the same (or almost the same) cover over and over. Lighthouse and or garden with picket fence and a dog. Lighthouse and or garden with a picket fence and a cat. That is a real turnoff to me as well. I'm also amazed at how some book covers are just the title, author name and black (or whatever color) background. Yes, they would be a big name author but ....seems lazy to me.
DeleteJudy, I don't really mind it in cozies, but when it comes to thrillers and such I expect a bit more of an effort. The books I have in mind have had the same plummeting airplane on three different books. I have to look twice to actually verify it is a different novel. I agree that it seems lazy. Maybe there is method to their madness, but it escapes me. -- Victoria
DeleteThe same plummeting airplane? That is lazy. I dunno. I think even cozies can be more creative. And how many books need a woman in a red coat running from something? don't get me started!
DeleteOh, this is terrific! And wonderful to see you. I have totally bought books based on the cover! Well, let’s put it this way – – I have picked up books based solely on the cover and not knowing anything about the book. Then if it’s the kind of book I think I’d like, then I bought it. But the cover was the main attraction. Congratulations on yours!
ReplyDeleteThank you Hank -- and your book covers always draw me in! Of course, it helps that I know the content will be great :-)
DeleteI've had the honour of being included in all 5 of Judy's anthologies. And I have to say I think the covers just keep getting better each time.
ReplyDeleteI admit I stole the key from the latest one to help promote the anthology and my story, A Talent for Fame, at my website.
It's an honour to include you every time, Susan. Your stories always grab me from beginning to end. Now, if I could only find where they sell that Northern Spirit Rye!
DeleteCongrats, Susan!
DeleteCongrats, Susan!
DeleteHi Judy! We met at mystery conferences. I remember being surprised that you remembered meeting me before. I am always surprised because there are many people in this world.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a young child, I would notice a book based on the book cover. At the Coop (no longer exists in California as far as I know), while grocery shopping, I noticed the Golden Books and I loved their covers. I would ask for a Golden Book.
Please forgive me, Judy, for bringing this up. Can you please ask the cover designer Hunter Martin to change the color of the font? While I love the beautiful cover, I cannot see the names of the authors who contributed their stories to the anthology. White font with grey background makes it really hard to read the letters. One of the covers is perfect with the black letter font for the authors' names. BEST LAID PLANS cover works for me. I can See the names of the authors.
Now thanks to the Internet, I can find books that I want without having to look at the covers. For example, I love this series. Unfortunately the cover designs on the last few books in this series could be overlooked since I would not be able to read the title on the cover. Sometimes the name of the author is visible. Yes, I have mentioned this to the author. I doubt the author can do anything about it since it is the decision of the publisher and the cover designer. When I say these books could be overlooked, I meant that if I saw these books in the bookstore, then I would have to feel the raised letters with my fingers and look very closely to read the title.
Hi Diana, the color of the font is tricky. Each book has the same main font/colors. And white is difficult BUT black would not be visible with the crow. This is why he outlined the white with a bit of black. On the print cover, the names are legible. On an e-book, they are very small. It's a dilemma to be sure. At any rate, at this point, it just would not be feasible to redo the cover and reupload new files to all markets. I'm just a one-woman band - no one to help me with all the grunt work!
DeleteHi Judy, thank you. I figured it is too late to redo the cover. I mentioned the font and background colors because I hope that future cover designers will keep it in mind. I am amazed that you did all of this! I look forward to reading the anthology. When can we preorder?
DeleteDiana, it is out now in paperback and e-book www.books2read.com/midnight-schemers
DeleteA clever cover will grab my attention every time! You're very lucky to have such a talented cover artist, Judy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat. I think so!
DeleteYou and your artist did a great job with all the covers--and I especially like the latest!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peggy and thanks for being part of the anthology. Your story Ghost Wolves is very clever and it has a very hopeful ending, which I especially loved.
DeleteHow fun to see some of the anthology's authors here!
ReplyDeleteDeborah, most of the authors have been super about promotion -- it's very heartening as they don't get royalties -- it's one payment and copy of the book -- so they are doing this to help me. I am very lucky to have such loyalty in my life.
DeleteGreat to see Judy here. Thanks, Deborah!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Gay for stopping in
DeleteJudy, I love this cover and the symbolism of it. You have one clever artist there. In fact, all the covers you've shown here are fantastic. And, I am absolutely a lover of the cover person. Sometimes for a British author, I like the UK cover better and will order it, but for favorite British authors I usually have both covers. I am such a cover lover that I have illustrated books just about covers. There are so many Jungle Reds authors' covers I've loved, like getting a piece of art with an incredible story.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kathy! I find it interesting how UK covers are often almost always actually different than US or North American covers. Wonder why that // is do you know?
DeleteHi, Judy. I enjoyed your explanations of how the covers evolve and how you narrow down your choice of stories for the anthology. The covers work very well individually and in particular as a series. As someone said earlier, I won't choose a book just because of the cover, but a cover that turns me off (for example, because they are kitschy) will keep me from picking a book up.
ReplyDeleteI find Hanks book covers are very appealing. I wouldn't buy a book based on the cover. But I would pick up a book if the title and cover had English countryside Paris, France, Italy, bookstore, cooking/foodie and look thru it!
ReplyDeleteHank's book covers are very appealing !
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