The Genesis of a Book Cover

THE GENESIS OF A BOOK COVER

Where does a book cover come from?
        The publisher's art department generates the art for the book. Authors are asked to provide information about the lead characters such as height, weight, hair and eye color, and other attributes mentioned in the book.
        As an author, I realize that there is a balance I must achieve --to provide enough data about my characters to inform rather than overwhelm the art department. Although my weapons are words, I realize that I need to communicate my concepts to a group that are more visually based. Therefore, I tend to provide lots of pictures for the art department which seems to be the easiest and most effective way to explain the mental images I've created to match the people I've created.
        Below is the actual information sheet (the actual webpage) I created for the Zebra/Kensington art department.

A picture is worth a thousand words, even in the hands of a writer.

CHARACTER INFORMATION FOR
STOLEN HEARTS: Book 4 in the Hope Chest Series

FEMALE LEAD:
NAME: Emily Drewitt
AGE: 25 years old- exact age not mentioned in text.
HAIR: Brown hair,
EYES: Green eyes (emerald)
HEIGHT: 5'5"
STATURE: small boned, somewhat delicate looking but not in reality-
SOURCE: Inspired by Alyssa Milano-- currently playing in the WB show, CHARMED and featured in the 1-800-COLLECT ads as "Eva Save-a-Lot" Try to forget her much younger self on "Who's the Boss." (See pictures below)

COMMENT: Emily isn't quite as young looking as Alyssa in the pictures below. But hair and clothes are right.


	These pictures are still shots from Alyssa's appearance in the Disney made for TV movie *Goldrush: A Real Life Alaskan Adventure (1998)*

MALE LEAD:
NAME: Delgatto - no first name. He takes on the role of Count Robert Georges Galludat while back in time.
AGE: 37
HAIR: Black hair,
EYES: Dark eyes
HEIGHT: 6'2"
STATURE: Superb athlete, well-built, strong. Impressive upper body strength. Gymnastic abilities.
SOURCE: Inspiration actor: Bruce Campbell - Campbell played "Autolycus" on Xena and Hercules, most recently had a syndicated show called "Jack of All Trades" and is also known for his title role in "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." and his starring role as "Ash" in the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness movies.

	Delgatto in his "Highwayman" masquerade ball outfit These shots are publicity stills from Campbell's show *Jack of All Trades*

PLOT OBJECT: The "Heart of Saharanpur" 257 carat emerald - note - does NOT have diamond encrusted chain- but an ornate gold chain instead. Pictures are recolored versions of the Hope Diamond and the Heart of the Ocean (from Titanic) Stone can be in a heart shape.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT:

DESIGNED AND HOSTED BY