Between Drafts How to Design a Winning Book Cover
Delve into the fascinating world of book cover design! The hosts share personal tales of designer collaborations, revealing the essential role of clear communication and genre alignment. Discover the complexities of creating compelling creative briefs and the balancing act of stock image use. They shine a light on industry insights, from traditional publishing pitfalls to the evolving landscape shaped by technology. Plus, explore how cover art rights can impact merchandising opportunities. It's a vibrant discussion for aspiring authors and design enthusiasts alike!
51:33
Hire For Genre Fit And Give Clear Direction
- Pick a designer who specializes in your book's genre and give clearer, specific directions when hiring.
- Use genre, comps, and mood boards to avoid mismatched stylistic instincts from designers.
Covers Signal Genre Expectations
- Covers must signal genre conventions to attract the right readers even if that means following familiar tropes.
- A cover that diverges from genre look can reach a broader audience but may miss niche bestseller channels.
Build A Thorough Creative Brief
- Create a detailed creative brief that treats the designer like a reader and includes genre, era, locales, characters, themes, and comps.
- Provide a mood board, sample covers, and the first chapter to help designers grasp tone quickly.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Hiring a Freelance Designer Went Wrong
01:10 • 1min
How I Found That Designer and Genre Fit Matters
02:31 • 3min
Defining Husk’s Genre and Target Reader
05:07 • 3min
Using an Art Director to Build a Creative Brief
07:45 • 3min
What's in an Effective Creative Brief
10:32 • 6min
Choosing Comp Titles and Visual Vibes
16:20 • 4min
How to Pitch Designers with a Professional Email
20:14 • 3min
Three Creative Directions to Guide Designers
22:59 • 11sec
Why Thumbnail Readability and Series Cohesion Matter
23:11 • 5min
Traditional Publisher Cover Process Shortcomings
28:36 • 5min
Scribe’s Better Design Workflow
33:13 • 3min
Budgeting for Stock Images and Licensing
36:15 • 3min
Rights, Merch, and Publisher Ownership Issues
39:31 • 5min
How Publishing Deals Have Changed Author Revenue Streams
44:50 • 1min
Project Updates and Creative Energy
46:07 • 5min
Outro
51:23 • 9sec
#50126
Cary
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Stephen King
'Carrie' is a horror novel about Carrie White, a teenage outcast with telekinetic powers, who is relentlessly bullied at school and abused at home by her religious fanatic mother.
At the senior prom, after being crowned prom queen as a cruel prank, Carrie unleashes her repressed powers, causing widespread destruction and seeking revenge on those who have wronged her.
Stephen King explores themes of isolation, cruelty, and the destructive potential of repressed emotions.
The novel's epistolary structure, incorporating excerpts from fictional books, articles, and testimonies, enhances its sense of realism and dread.
'Carrie' remains a chilling exploration of the consequences of unchecked abuse and the devastating power of revenge.
#28
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Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K.
Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard.
The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world.
The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.
#879
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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream
Hunter S. Thompson
Published in 1971, 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' is a novel written by Hunter S. Thompson, presented as a blend of journalism and fiction.
The story follows journalist Raoul Duke (Thompson's alter ego) and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo (based on Oscar Zeta Acosta), as they embark on a trip to Las Vegas to cover the Mint 400 motorcycle race.
However, their assignment quickly devolves into a chaotic and surreal journey fueled by a variety of recreational drugs.
The novel critiques American society, consumerism, and the failure of the 1960s counterculture, while also exploring the concept of the American Dream.
The narrative is characterized by its blurred lines between reality and fiction, reflecting Thompson's signature Gonzo journalism style.
#31213
Sun Eater
None
Christopher Ruocchio
The Sun Eater series by Christopher Rocchio is a space opera that follows Hadrian Marlow's journey to save humanity from the Silsen.
The series features an absent mentor, Gibson, whose guidance comes through memories and aphorisms.
The story explores themes of loss, responsibility, and the weight of legacy.
The series is praised for its compelling characters and its fast-paced plot.
#900
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Game of Thrones
HBO
This book provides an in-depth look at the making of the first two seasons of HBO's Game of Thrones.
It includes interviews with key creative forces behind the show, profiles of major characters, family trees, and detailed descriptions of pivotal scenes such as the storming of King's Landing.
The book helps viewers understand the complex storylines and character relationships, making it a valuable resource for fans of the series.
#3096
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Hyperion
Dan Simmons
In 'Hyperion', Dan Simmons crafts a complex and engaging narrative that follows seven pilgrims as they travel to the enigmatic planet Hyperion.
Each pilgrim has a unique story to tell, which they share during their journey, revealing their connections to Hyperion and the Shrike, a metallic creature with the power to grant wishes.
The novel is structured similarly to 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer, with a framing narrative that presents the tales of the pilgrims.
The story explores themes of religion, war, love, and the human condition, set against a backdrop of interstellar politics and technological advancements.
The novel is praised for its detailed world-building, character development, and literary references.
#1894
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Dark Matter
A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora
Sheree Renée Thomas
This anthology, edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, features a collection of 29 fictional short stories and novel excerpts, along with five non-fiction essays.
It showcases the work of various African-American writers in the science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction genres, highlighting their contributions and the diversity within these genres.
The book includes works by notable authors such as W.E. B.
DuBois, Octavia Butler, and Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, among others, and addresses themes of race, inequality, and societal issues through speculative fiction.
#2747
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
The Will of the Many
null
James Islington
This book is the first in the Hierarchy series by James Islington.
It follows the journey of Viz, a young man who finds himself embroiled in a complex political conspiracy.
The story is set in a world with a unique magic system and blends elements of fantasy and science fiction.
Viz's journey is filled with challenges, friendships, and betrayals as he navigates the treacherous world around him.
The book explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the consequences of power.
#1539
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Wool
Hugh Howey
In 'Wool', the first book of the Silo series, Hugh Howey depicts a dystopian future where humanity lives in a self-sustaining underground silo.
The story follows Sheriff Holston and later Juliette, a mechanic turned sheriff, as they uncover the sinister truths and conspiracies within the silo.
The novel delves into the lives of the silo's residents, who are kept in the dark about the true state of the outside world, and the harsh punishments for those who express a desire to leave.
The book is known for its suspenseful and engaging narrative, exploring themes of survival, hope, and the quest for truth in a confined and controlled environment.
#68
• Mentioned in 163 episodes
The big short
Inside the Doomsday Machine
Michael Lewis
The Big Short tells the story of the 2007-08 financial crisis through the lens of several key players who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market.
The book focuses on characters such as Steve Eisman, Mike Burry, Greg Lippmann, and the founders of Cornwall Capital, who saw the impending disaster and made significant gains by shorting the market.
Lewis explains the complex financial instruments and the systemic failures that led to the crisis, making the narrative both accessible and engaging.
#9
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The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R.
Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth.
The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo.
The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return.
Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth.
The novel explores themes of good vs.
evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.
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Crypto Confidential
Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance
Nathaniel Eliason
Crypto Confidential is Nathaniel Eliason's unfiltered account of his experiences in the hyperactive and highly speculative world of cryptocurrency.
The book chronicles his journey from learning to code to becoming a key developer in a token valued at billions of dollars.
It exposes the behind-the-scenes workings of the crypto market, including bull runs, breakdowns, scams, and the intense emotions and high stakes involved.
Eliason's anecdotes are both entertaining and instructive, providing valuable insights into the warning signs of disaster in the crypto market and how to be a more educated participant.
#4356
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Recursion
A Novel
Blake Crouch
#2439
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Husk
Frederic L'Homme
Arnaud Boudoiron
#1003
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Red Rising
Ted Starkey
In 'Red Rising: The Washington Capitals Story', Ted Starkey chronicles the transformation and resurgence of the Washington Capitals.
The book includes original interviews with key figures from the team, providing a detailed and personal look at the team's history, challenges, and successes.
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Nathan and Nat dive deep into the intricacies of book cover design and the evolving publishing landscape. They share their personal experiences working with different designers and publishing houses, from DIY approaches to traditional publishing partnerships. Nathan details his current journey working with an art director to create the perfect cover brief, while Nat offers insights from his experiences with both Penguin Random House and independent publishing.
The discussion explores the importance of clear communication with designers, understanding genre expectations, and the surprising realities of how book covers are actually created. They also touch on some fascinating industry challenges, including the complexities of rights management and merchandising in traditional publishing deals.
The conversation wraps up with an interesting tangent into the world of AI and coding, highlighting how technology is rapidly changing both the writing and software development industries.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:04] The cover design process
[02:30] Finding and selecting cover designers
[05:23] Conveying genre through cover design
[07:44] Working with an art director
[10:31] Components of a creative brief
[16:18] Cover design directions
[28:51] Penguin Random House cover process
[33:15] Scribe's cover design process
[36:24] Using stock images in book cover design
[39:52] Cover art licensing and merchandise rights
[42:43] Changes in publishing deals and author revenue streams
[46:17] Updates on our books
[51:16] Wrap-up and next episode preview
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