The story of publishing my story
[Editor's note: Krista Richmond is the online engagement manager for United Way of Acadiana and the author of the soon-to-be published novel Spotlight. Join us each Monday for a glimpse at her journey from the first draft to the bookshelf and read the story behind the story.Spotlight's official release date is May 22.]
The cover of a book is extremely important.
It's the first impression - the first taste of what might be inside. And, as the saying goes, "We eat with our eyes first," right?
Even before I signed a publishing contract, I had a very clear idea of what I wanted the cover of Spotlight to convey. As I was writing it, I came across a photo of one of my favorite actors at the Cannes International Film Festival. (Which, by the way, is going on now. And that actor? He's there with his latest film. Apropos!)
The second I saw the photo, it spoke to me (as much as a photo can, anyway). It wasn't that the photo captured one of my favorites. It was the feeling it captured.
In it, this actor stands in front of a (literal) wall of photographers. The shot is from behind him, so he's silhouetted. The effect is that he looks like he's being consumed by camera flashes.
It's all in the vantage point. From the front, those shots of him look completely innocuous. Just a guy in a designer suit posing for photos on a red carpet. But from behind, the photo tells a different story the same story I wanted to tell.
That was the feeling I wanted to capture.
When it was time to talk about the cover, I explained to the graphic artist I was assigned what I was going for. I even sent the photo - not to actually use, but to inspire the cover.
Perhaps something got lost in translation. The first drafts were good but they weren't my book, if that makes sense. So, I worked with another graphic artist - one, incidentally, who designed a cover many of you know well - who took my inspiration and gave my book a beautiful beginning.
I think it's safe to say that you can judge Spotlight by its cover!