The final installment in the Hanger’s Horsemen trilogy is coming June 7. Just around the corner! Last month I shared a glimpse into how the title came to be (here), so I thought this month, I would give you some insight about how the cover evolved. Authors working with a traditional publisher have much less say in the cover design process than authors who indie publish. The publisher’s marketing, sales, and editorial teams work together with the design team to craft a cover that will entice readers, convey the novel’s mood, and highlight details of the story itself. No easy task. I’m more than grateful to have the help. At the beginning of the process, my project manager asks me for story details, physical descriptions of the characters and setting, and any ideas I have for cover design. Yet that is where my input ends until the very last stages of the design process. Here is the final product we arrived at for Luke Davenport’s story.
I love the end result. However, this cover (like the title) went through several revisions during its journey to perfection. Below on the left is the original cover my publisher sent me. I liked the model and the background was gorgeous, but it didn’t really tell a story. It was a little too static. And having the hero’s back turned didn’t feel terribly inviting. So I asked if there was a way to create more of a sense of movement and story. They came back with Version 2. Seeing more of the hunky model was a plus, but what really got my attention was the addition of the three cowboys in the distance. Such a small thing, but it was genius. Exactly what this cover needed. Are they the other three Horsemen racing to join Preach in his fight for justice? Or are they the gang of rustlers causing havoc in Madisonville, TX? Could be either one. You decide!
The last change I asked for was in the color of his vest and hat. In the current version, the brown vest and light tan hat are nearly identical to the ones worn by the model for the first book in the series. I wanted the men to feel distinct and carry their own personalities. So in the final version, you will see that the vest is blue and the hat is a darker shade of brown. Just the type of change I was looking for! They also added a bit more vegetation in the foreground for an extra pop of color. I’m so pleased with the final product!
My inspiration for Preach’s physical appearance was a cross between two football players—one from my generation and one who is actively playing. Howie Long and JJ Watt. I think the model they found pairs well with the image I was envisioning.
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Now that the series is complete, I thought you would enjoy seeing all the covers side-by-side.
They look good together, don’t you think? Which cover is your favorite of the series?
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Very interesting. I like the new book’s cover.
Thanks, Debra. I love the final version!
I love the cover!
Thanks, Rhonda. I’m very pleased with how it turned out, too. 🙂
Love the process.
I’m always fascinated by how all this comes to be. I wish I could sit in on the discussions that happen as they are narrowing down options and attend the photo shoots. I’d love to see it all firsthand.
Hi Karen … At Love’s Command is dear to my heart because I was so drawn into the lives of the Horsemen. Looking forward to book three. Did Dan Thornberg design the third book cover? It is awesome! I love the riders in the background. It creates intrigue. Have a great day and a blessed Easter.
Thanks, Kathy! I believe Dan did this latest cover as well, since he did the previous two, but Bethany House usually refers to the designer as simply “the designer” instead of by name in their correspondence with me. I could ask, but I’ll probably just wait to see who gets the credit in the copyright section of the book. 🙂 Dan has done most of my covers, though, and he’s always done a fabulous job. Love his style!
Great covers, Karen!
Thanks, Mary! Your latest series of covers have such great tie-ins with your stories. I love it when they do that!
I already ordered your book from Baker House – looking forward to reading it. You are one of my favorite authors.
Thanks so much Karijean!
I like the cover In Honor’s Defense the best, but they’re all good!
Thanks, Connie. 🙂
Welcome today. How am I supposed to pick a favorite of these three books. LOL No way that is going to happen. They are all so distinct and perfect
Thanks, Lori! I love that they all feel so unique to you even though there are so many similarities. I see them that way, too. They are tied to the characters driving the stories, and therefore have their own unique strengths. 🙂
I think my favorite cover has to be the new one!!
Yay! I like the blue tones in the latest one. It seems slightly warmer to me.
They are all gorgeous. I don’t think I could choose a favorite. 🙂
Thanks, Kari. It’s been fun to have the heroes featured on my covers for a change. 🙂
Good morning, Karen! I never tire of the book cover design process (even if my book is an indie) because our covers mean the world to us, and no one knows our story better than we do. Adding the three horses and riders in the background was such a huge detail and really kicked up the cover’s power a notch.
Interesting that your publisher assigns you a “Project Manager”. Sounds very corporate. 🙂
Ha! The project manager is really my acquisitions editor, but when the book moves to stages outside of editorial, she puts on her manager hat. 🙂
Hi, I enjoyed reading your post . Your book cover is very nice!
Thank you, Alicia!
Swoon worthy covers!
Thanks, Caryl. I like having the men on this set of covers. It’s a nice change.
They look great together! My favorite cover is At Love’s Command. I’m soooo looking forward to Preach’s story coming out… on my birthday! I preordered & can’t wait to read it. I plan to go back & reread the other two just before June 7 to refresh my memory. 🙂
How wonderful that my book birthday is on your real birthday! So fun. I love that you plan to reread the entire series. I like doing that too, if I have the time. And thanks for the pre-order! Hope you enjoy Preach and Damaris. 🙂
Wow, I do love the end result. I wish you authors had more input, that way you get to make it great.
Thanks, Tonya. Sometimes I wish we had more input, too, but I’m so thankful for the design professionals who know so much more about what constitutes a great cover than I do. I know my characters and story, but I’m thankful to have them to create the visuals that will catch a reader’s eye. It’s a wonderful partnership.
In Honor’s Defense is my favorite cover. They are all gorgeous covers. Thanks for sharing. God bless you.
Your covers are always so nice. The three of these work very well together for tying the series together. My favorite is a toss up between Book 2, I like the motion in the picture, but I also like the background of the Book 3 cover. Cover or no cover, we know the stories inside will be good.