Friday, September 4, 2015

~ Sometimes You Have To Call On THE VISIONARY To Get A Beautiful Book Cover ~



I welcome back author Pamela Thibodeaux who is sharing with us the evolution of her novel THE VISIONARY!




In my previous post, I showed/talked about the evolution of covers for my Tempered series and spin-off story, Lori’s Redemption. In 2010 my novel, The Visionary was contracted by Five Star Expressions. Prior to this, I’d had absolutely wonderful results in dealing with covers for my Pelican Book Group titles (you can see those HERE.)

When The Visionary was contracted, I sent my idea for a cover to the editor who, in turn, sent it to the cover department. Here’s what I described…. The eyes of a woman looking back, an old house and if possible a plantation house inset somewhere. After numerous attempts to no avail, I sent them this graphic….





As I mentioned before, I’m an author not artist but this was as close to what I envisioned that I could come up with. You have no idea how many options we went through! But the absolute worst was this… 





Now I ask you, how on earth does anyone even think this is appropriate? About the only thing I liked on this one was the old dilapidated floor and walls.

They also sent me this one…. 







... which had the same floor but the wallpaper looked too modern and pretty. The home on this property was over 100 yrs. old so that just wouldn’t work, but I loved the woman looking back over her shoulder.

So I asked them to put this woman in place of the head popping out of the floor. This is what we came up with….and The Visionary debuted November 2011 in hardcover.



When I decided to self publish the ebook and soft cover edition, I once again called upon my friend, Delia Latham (Heaven’s Touch Designs) and here’s what she came up with…







Delia managed to have the elements I wanted in cover that’s softer and more colorful.

As you can tell, getting a cover can sometimes be time consuming and frustrating, but when someone catches your vision, the end result can be stunning!




Author Bio ~


Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” 



Links:

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Face Book: http://facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux

Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pamelasthibodea/


Blurb ~

A visionary is someone who sees into the future Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disturbingly prevalent in today’s society. Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives?


Excerpt ~

Taylor thrashed about and fought the fear clamoring in her throat. Panic stole her breath. The monster held her while Trevor grappled with a gun. She struggled and kicked, but the monster held her fast. She had to get away. She had to stop him! She begged and pleaded, but the monster just laughed. His gnarled, horrid sound sent shivers of terror through her soul. A blast of gunshot, a flash of lightning, and the scream tore free from her throat and echoed through the room. The door burst open and strong arms encircled her. Gentle hands stroked and soothed, a soft voice caressed, tender words flowed over her. Taylor buried her face in Alex’s shoulder while he cradled her against his chest and rocked.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” she murmured. A pulse hammered against her skin, a tremble shimmered down her spine. She pushed herself closer, found safety and comfort in his embrace. Alex tightened his arms around her, smoothed her hair.

“It’s okay. That’s why I’m here and exactly why I didn’t want to leave you alone tonight.”

Purchase Links:

Amazon Hardcover http://amzn.to/n8as1b

Paperback: http://amzn.to/1uROE2o

Kindle http://amzn.to/1s23QYv

Print @Create Space: http://bit.ly/1lNvyWD

B&N Print: http://bit.ly/1h9Yhlw

Nook http://bit.ly/1CyPt1c

Smashwords http://bit.ly/167J9So

Deeper Shopping http://bit.ly/19lw1Kc


6 comments:

  1. Welcome back, Pamela! I've got to say, I like all of your covers, although the last is my favorite! Even the one with the head coming out of the floorboards, as you put it. Until you pointed it out, it didn't bother me. But once you did, I could see your point. Cover art if fun, and sometimes frustrating, but it's a great feeling when you end up with a good product.

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  2. Thanks for having me again MJ! Yeah, Delia with Heaven's Touch Designs does a wonderful job...sometimes so good I have a hard time choosing between the options she sends me LOL!
    PamT

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  3. Your cover is, for sure! the BEST. Nice post and good info for authors in search of the right cover.

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