Cat Michaels, Writer
  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team >
      • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Meet Cat
  • Author Visits
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Contact Cat

Cat's Corner

Blogging About Books, Writing, Travel, Film & More

Long Journey to Create Perfect Cover Art for a Children’s Book

9/3/2020

26 Comments

 
Covid’s got us locked down and staying close to home. But imagination can take us anywhere. Are you up for a literary Photo Walk? All the way from summer’s green-drenched country roads in North Carolina to autumn tints in rural Missouri? 
 
Start your journey in Carolina with me to fetch the perfect cover art for my newest tale for tweens, Just Between Sam and Me, launching 2 December 2020. 

Then click over to Midwestern countryside for cowriter Rosie Russell's blog at the end of this post. She's got a sweet cover reveal video just for YOU.

btw...more book cover art fun for you with links at the end
... animated book cover vid from Auden Johnson in the Big Apple
... slow build reveals using images from Sandra Bennet from Down Under.

​
Long Journey to Create Perfect Cover Art for a Children’s Book ~ catmichaelswriter.com


Cowriter Rosie Russell and I
virtual-brainstorm cover concepts for weeks
for our new book for 8 to 12-year olds.

We want the perfect image
to engage young readers. 

We nail our back cover quickly ...

Long Journey to Create Perfect Cover Art for a Children’s Book ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Back Cover: "Just Between Sam and Me" Coming 2 – December 2020


​... but
​the front image remains elusive.

Eureka!!!!!
We finally find that consummate image!

Artist Irene A. Jahns is on it.


Days pass
until it's time for me to fetch Irene's cover rendering
at her family’s farm 
30 miles from my North Carolina home.
 
 Blazing heat and stifling humidity
on this summer morning.
​
AC cranked high in the car,
I speed along the highway 
until it siphons off onto two-lane roads
snaking between towering stands of kudzu that blot the sky. 


Long Journey to Create Perfect Cover Art for a Children’s Book ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Roadside kudzu
​
​
​Argh. 

Despite my trusty GPS,
​I miss the turn. 

I circle back
and bounce down the dirt lane
 to Irene in the farmhouse ahead.
Long Journey to Create Perfect Cover Art for a Children’s Book ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Irene's family farm at the end of a rural country lane

​
We agree on a Covid safe-distancing spot
​ to talk and exchange the cover. 

Best.
Art Hand-off
​Location.
​EVER!
Long Journey to Create Perfect Cover Art for a Children’s Book ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Gotta love safe-distancing poolside


​​We sit opposite each other on pool chairs.
A third chair between us keeps us 6 feet apart.
​Irene spreads her drawing pencils and canvas
on the empty place between us.


Two black farm cats nose around to see what’s up.
After all, our titular SAM is an orange tabby.
​
Maybe those real cats sense a kindred spirit
​ with our fictional feline [wink].
Long Journey to Create Perfect Cover Art for a Children’s Book ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Artist Irene A. Jahns
​

​​As Irene and I discuss finishing touches,
art-challenged me watches 
​as she adds her last strokes.
 


​I’m fascinated by the textured canvas.
It lovingly laps up Irene's watercolors.

Dabs of color here.
​
A few drops of water there
  from a kitchen water glass

swished onto her brush.


The cover comes to life before my life!
​

How does she do that?!?!?!? 

Half hour later,
the completed canvas drying and protected in my car,
I’m speeding home.
​
​Can’t wait to send Rosie a snapshot, 
and
deliver the canvas to our graphic designer, 
who will work her magic
turning Irene's watercolors into our cover. 


​
And we

​can’t wait

to show that finished cover to

YOU! 



Ready to continue your literary blog cruise?

Meet Rosie Russell next in Missouri
and catch her cover reveal video for 
Just Between Sam and Me


It will be a cool autumn afternoon when you arrive.
Rosie’s waiting for you on the front porch. 

Rumor has it
she may serve up
her famous country-fried steak
if you want to stay supper.
(It's our main character's fave meal)
​
Hope you enjoy our cover 
and
​Midwestern hospitality 
with Rosie Russell.


Click HERE
to continue your blog cruise. 
Picture
Tale for tweens: Coming 2 December 2020

More Book Cover Art Journeys  

 My #Gr8Blogs writerly pals from around the globe have fab book cover stories, too. Check 'em out below! 


...   animated book cover creation vid from Auden Johnson in the Big Apple HERE
...  book image series builds cover excitement from Sandra Bennet from Down Under HERE


YOUR TURN
Are you art-challenged like me? To be honest, I was terrified I’d smear Irene’s watercolors before our graphic designer, Kayte, could work her magic to convert the original canvas into a high-resolution jpg cover. 
 
Or does drawing come naturally to you? Is painting or coloring-in a relaxing outlet for you, especially during Covid-19? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Picture
Subscribe

Picture
Picture

Picture

   Twitter   Facebook   Pinterest   Goodreads   Amazon   Instagram

26 Comments
Carol Baldwin link
9/3/2020 01:16:27 pm

Thanks for sharing this "art" journey into receiving your cover art. How cool that your artist lives so close by! Now I have to ask you how you met her!

Reply
Cat mic
9/3/2020 01:43:07 pm

It was a long journey, Carol, that took months in the making. Irene actually is outside Charlotte, NC, and visiting relatives near me. We connected both worked at Wake Technical Community College and met from there. Thanks for keeping us company!

Reply
Julie Gorges link
9/4/2020 10:09:29 am

How exciting to see your vision realized on a book cover! And what a beautiful drive and surroundings to watch the artist put on her final touches. Thanks for sharing with us!

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/4/2020 01:51:52 pm

Julie, Covid makes things more daunting, imho, but this was a creative way to dance around it and have fun. Appreciate you riding along on my virtual journey!

Reply
Eiry Rees Thomas link
9/4/2020 01:28:08 pm

The super cover generates an emotional connection. Congrats, Cat and Rosie ")

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/4/2020 01:54:45 pm

Over the moon to know the cover resonated with you, Eiry, especially after you saw a first chapter preview -:D. Rosie and I worked with our artist and tried hard to render a cover that makes that connection.

Reply
Rosie Russell link
9/4/2020 02:15:33 pm

What beautiful photos you shared here. I feel like I'm right there, Cat!

It's so exciting watching Irene create the cover to our book. She is very talented.

We'll have lots of fun these next few months putting our finishing touches to, "Just Between Sam and Me."

Have a safe and wonderful weekend. :)

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/4/2020 08:56:33 pm

Rosie, I was so captivated by the setting and watching Irene draw, I almost forgot to snap pix. Glad I remembered so I could share here.

Yep. We’ll be busy putting the last touches on on book and get it to readers by 2 December-:D

Reply
Jessica Adams link
9/4/2020 09:22:16 pm

Congratulations on the cover and upcoming book!

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/4/2020 09:53:56 pm

Jessica, Appreciate YOU and your company on our writing journey. It’s a wild, crazy exciting time!

Reply
Julie link
9/7/2020 12:08:18 am

What a beautiful illustration. Can’t wait to see the finished product.

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/7/2020 01:41:35 pm

Thanks, Julie. Irene whips out the most beautiful watercolors! Book releasing on 2 December..which will be here before we know it -:D

Reply
Anita holland link
9/7/2020 11:18:31 am

What a beautiful cover, and congratulations.

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/7/2020 01:57:34 pm

Anita, grateful for your kind words and company on my writing journey.

Reply
Meegan link
9/7/2020 11:22:27 am

Very interesting and fascinating. Thanks for sharing all the details. I never knew the process for designing and creating a book cover.

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/7/2020 01:56:36 pm

Meehan, I am forever learning about publishing, even after my fifth book! Seeing an artist like Irene create is a special joy.

Reply
Michelle Leslie link
9/7/2020 12:17:46 pm

That's so special and I'm so happy for you. Can't wait to see what the cover looks like. Irene is very talented

Reply
Anonymous
9/7/2020 01:49:14 pm

Michelle, thanks a ton for your company on my photo walk journey. It’s a process to find the perfect book cover and a joy to finally share it with readers. Can’t wait to share the book on 2 December!

Reply
Sara link
9/7/2020 12:19:55 pm

Isn't it incredible how artists create? Artwork is so important to convey a story. Best of luck with your children's book Cat!

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/7/2020 01:44:30 pm

For sure, Sara! It took weeks to come up with the perfect image for our cover, so I especially appreciate your comment about its art.

Reply
Laurie @ Vinyet Etc link
9/7/2020 04:03:33 pm

What a fun process! Can't wait to see more of that sneak peek! Have a wonderful day! xo

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/7/2020 04:41:47 pm

Laurie, thanks for coming along on my photo walk. It’s been nearly 8 months since I started co-writing, and I’m beyond excited for my book’s December launch.

Reply
Sandra Bennett link
9/8/2020 01:11:25 am

What a lovely excuse for a drive in the country. It looks wonderful. This is a clever idea to do a cover reveal for a collaboration. Congratulations, well done.Thanks for mentioning my cover reveal and adding the link too.

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/8/2020 04:09:24 pm

Sandra, glad for your company on my virtual road trip, always better with friends -:D. Appreciate your kind words about our cover. All the best with your new cover and book, too!

Reply
Kim link
9/8/2020 01:55:51 pm

Congratulations! I think it's wonderful that you were able to get a cover that you are so happy with...that is the icing on the cake of a very creative project!

Reply
Cat Michaels
9/8/2020 04:12:23 pm

hey, Kim, I appreciate your kind feedback on my cover art. Creative for sure, but hard work to get there and always grateful for good company like yours along the way -:D

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Cat Michaels

    Blogging about books, writing, family life,  travel and  more good stuff.


    Meet Cat
    ​INSIDE the pages

    a newsletter for bibliophiles on writing, books and cool stuff readers love
    Be an Insider. Download your FREE e-short story about love and new beginnings today!
    Picture
    I'M IN! Snag my free e-short story HERE
    P.S. We hate spam and keep your email safe.. 

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    July 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team >
      • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Meet Cat
  • Author Visits
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Contact Cat