I am not an artistic person. Despite taking a class in college, I still revert to stick figures when drawing people. That’s why it fascinates me to watch cover art unfold. ICYMI, I did a book cover reveal for my third Sassy Cat Mystery, MIMI LEE CRACKS THE CODE, on the fabulous Dru Ann’s blog!
Step one of cover design involves art concepts. Since MIMI LEE CRACKS THE CODE has ties to Catalina Island, I wanted imagery to reflect that. It’s beautiful there (I got the chance to visit a few years back), so I gave the art department these photos:
While visiting the Catalina Island Museum, I learned about its history. Look at this fun advertisement to visit Catalina. Incorporating vibrant colors like these in my cover might be nice…
I also ate some great seafood, but I kept those foodie photos to myself:
How did the cover turn out? Take a look!
Here are some thoughts I had while making and finalizing this cover:
- I like that Mimi has stepped out of the shadows and into the foreground.
- Marshmallow has got to have the longest cat tail ever!
- The background has a nice stormy (aka mysterious) vibe.
- To my delight, they put in the Casino, one of the iconic buildings on the island.
- We must have gone back and forth over the colors of the words (title, author name, etc.) at least 3x!
Whaddya think? What grabs your attention here–or on other book covers?
Chicks on the Case 
I love this cover! And yeah, that is one long cat tail!
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What a fab cover, Jen! I love Marshmallow’s gorgeous, bright eyes. And the tail length tells me Marshmallow must be part snow leopard, too. 😺
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Thanks, J.C.! The eyes really come through with this new cover. Snow leopard–now everything makes sense!
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Thanks, Marla! (And you’re the cat cover expert!)
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Whoops! I’m not sure why my response to you went under J.C.’s entry! (Must need more caffeine.)
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I love the cover and thank you for letting me showcase your cover reveal. The colors pull me in..so vibrant.
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Thanks, Dru! So happy I got to do the cover reveal on your blog!
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Purrfection. Sorry. I couldn’t resist.
Seriously, I think you nailed this cover! It’s gorgeous!
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Purrfection–I’ll take it! Thanks, Annette!
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Love it! Immediately drew me in, but lots of tension, too.
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Yes! I love the interplay of cozy and sinister.
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It’s wonderful. That is a very luxurious tail. 🙂
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Who wouldn’t want to be wrapped up in that? (I like how the fluff surrounds my name.)
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I love this cover! All of the elements are spectacular and the result is just perfect.
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Thanks, Olivia! Your cozy covers are so neat, too, and I like how they have all these themed elements.
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I love how it captures an old-school vibe, yet is modern at the same time. Those clouds are fabulous! And Mimi’s expression–how she’s looking away, as if truly distracted by something–really adds tension to the cover. Congrats! Can’t wait for the book itself!
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Old-school and modern–I didn’t think of that, Leslie. I do like the tension, especially with the clouds and even the palm trees being blown by the wind.
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I first saw this cover revealed on Dru’s site–and immediately fell in love with it. The vibrant colors, Mimi in the forefront, the warmth between her and Marshmallow but the us-against-the-outside-forces feel…perfect! I have never seen Catalina, except as the (alleged) location of the Catalina Wine Cooler in the movie Stepbrothers, but this cover definitely makes me want to take a little vacay there with your book, Jen!
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Thanks, Lisa! I love how Mimi is hugging Marshmallow.
Yes, take a Catalina trip with my book! Ooh, wouldn’t that make for a great photo shoot?
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Great looking book cover. It does capture parts of Catalina, which is a great things on a cover. And anyone who doesn’t know Catalina will still get that it is an island whether they get the specifics or not.
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Agreed, Mark. Glad that it can convey so much in a single image!
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Love it, Jen! The faint whisper of those gray storm clouds in the corner is so cool. It all works for me. Maybe the cat is part yachtsman’s rope. It is an island, after all.
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Haha, Becky! I definitely like those cool clouds…
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I absolutely adore this cover!!!! Congrats, Jen!
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Thanks, El! I got four exclamation points from you, so it must be good!
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Saw it first on Dru Ann’s blog and fell in love–it’s gorgeous, Jen! But it’s so interesting to see what you gave them for inspiration that added up to such a beautiful cover. Love how his tail and the clouds sort of mirror each other…and I love that she’s hugging him too. ❤
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I didn’t even notice the tail and clouds mirroring each other. I’ve gotta take my look at my own cover again!
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It’s such a fabulous cover! There’s so much to love here, but if I have to call out just one aspect it’s Mimi. I love her expression and sense of quiet strength. Congrats, Jen!!
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Thank you, Kathy!
On a side note, quiet strength reminds me of the “invisible strength” found in The Joy Luck Club. (That theme is based on a saying from Amy Tan’s mom that has a literal translation involving passing gas. Oh my!)
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Love The Joy Luck Club. (Love all of Amy Tan’s books, full stop!) And interesting backstory on “invisible strength.” Zowie!
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Love this, Jen! Knowing that editors don’t always collaborate with authors on covers, it’s cool that they included the casino building from one of your pics — and the storm clouds! Congrats!
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It’s definitely a dance, Vickie! I do get some say, but it’s ultimately their decision.
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Such a fantastic cover! Having been to Catalina numerous times, I can’t wait to see what happens in your book. Congratulations on your upcoming release!
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Thank you so much, Kim!
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