#13: LeAnna Smith on the Secrets of Cover Design

Aug 25, 2016

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Covers. How many of us have picked books just because we loved the cover and couldn't stop staring at it? I know I have been guilty of that more than once. I've even bought a book I already owned because I loved the new cover design so much.

What goes into the magic power that covers have over us? Where does this come from?

This week, I talk to LeAnna Smith about the art and science of covers. She's worked with everything from Big 5 titles to those who really want to set their self-published title apart.

Show Notes From Episode 13 with LeAnna Smith

Judging a book by its cover (2:15)
The role of the cover in eBook and digital publishing (3:30)
Audiobook covers (5:00) Mentioned: Rivers of London Cover Versions
Re-interpreting covers for different markets (7:45) Mentioned: Alice in Wonderland with new cover | Sam Potts episode on interior design
Touching everyone's books (10:20)
The interior-exterior disconnect (11:00)
Creative control of the cover & texture options (12:00) Mentioned: Spot Varnish
Cookbooks and even more design options (14:10)
Trends in covers & the end of the jacket (15:15) Mentioned: Jojo Moyes & Me Before You's font cover
Coloring book covers (20:00) Cher Kaufmann Mandala coloring books
Re-packaging books for different price points & markets (20:45)
Why publishing is a little like outlet shopping (22:00)
International covers (25:30) Mentioned: Harry Potter's Cover for Lithuania (actually Finland)
Reading with office supplies (27:30)
The cover design process step-by-step (28:30)
Big stores throwing their weight around (31:40)
Author input on covers (33:45)
Working with individual authors (35:20)
Publishing gift items and planners (37:30)
Print-on-demand design (39:15)
Leanna's entry into book design (39:45)
Print is not dead (42:00)
On LeAnna's nightstand : Fascinate by Sally Hogshead | Living Forward by Michael Hyatt
The hot tip for stock photography (44:00)

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