For my two new books coming out in December/January…….
Firstly, a really MASSIVE thank you to Chris Graham for making me three brand new fabulous covers so quickly. Also for his vision as far as what I wanted was concerned, and his patience with this old scribbler. He’s cool like that – could be a little psychic ape thing going on there I think. Cover design is far from easy. You can look at a gorgeous cover and think, well, that looks easy peasy. Just plonk a picture down, and then plonk some text on it. It really isn’t that simple though. You have to have a very specific kind of EYEBALL, and for my Science Fiction covers, Chris has the kind of eyeball that I like.
When I originally plotted my Shadow People series, I planned on it being open ended, with a minimum of seven books based on the huge outline I had prepared. I ordered the first four covers from Chris wanting wildly different colours, and also various images to reflect what I had planned for each book, with one connecting image throughout. Since then I’ve written a good couple of books worth of the series, but it’s morphed and changed substantially, as long stories will, into different time frames, and some events moved around by eons. Eventually it took proper shape, and I realised that I didn’t have an open ended series on my hands at all, but rather a series of trilogies set in different times, with different characters and different worlds. I’ve also decided to rebrand my Science Fiction series – they will be written by J C Robinson now – so as not to offend my Literary Fiction reader’s sensibilities with dragons and various sentient amoeba – and stuff…..
I also decided to change the titles of the books, and my ideas for covers changed and solidified. Finally I gathered up the courage to approach our beloved mighty ape. “Fine,” said he, totally blowing all the nervous air out of my sails, and promptly produced the covers for my first trilogy without so much as breaking a slight banana scented sweat. Now my future trilogies in this series will follow this same pattern, with one particular background image and colour, and various specific images for each book.
Don’t be afraid to change the covers of your books, especially series as they change and grow. As long as you don’t actually unpublish a book there is no need to worry about readers buying the same volume twice, because updating covers and interiors of an already published book won’t stop them from seeing the “You purchased…” message on its landing page. This really is also a fabulous way to breathe new life into a languishing series, and give it a brand new launch.
I love these covers Jo, they are so striking yet clear and easy to read. He’s done a brilliant job there for you. I understand this is not easy to do and is an art in itself. No wonder you are so pleased. If I ever get that far I know where to go for cover design. Best of luck with the books.
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
The lovely Jo Robinson has been keeping a low profile but instead of like some of us, who lounge in the sun sipping a margherita, Jo has been very busy.. Three books to come and here are the cover reveals, designed by The Story Reading Ape.. what a team.
Love them. You’ve got me thinking it might be time to change my novel’s cover… Need to think about it but I can see why it’s a good idea, especially if you don’t have to ‘unpublish’ to do it.
Those covers are gorgeous, Jo! The colour of the title really pops against that dark, dreamy background! Love it! The Ape did good! And best of luck with this project. Interesting how the series developed into 2 sets of trilogies. Just shows how you can never take this gift for granted. I too changed the cover of my first book, for a couple of reasons, even though I loved the first one; I wasnt happy with the way it looked at thumbnail size, and also it gave the impression it was a childrens book, and people were buying it for 8year olds, but it just wasnt appropriate for that age group. I had considered none of that when I commissioned my first cover.
October 18, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
NEW COVERS – NEW AUTHOR BRAND – STILL THE TALENTED JO 👍🐵
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October 18, 2015 at 6:00 pm
I love these covers Jo, they are so striking yet clear and easy to read. He’s done a brilliant job there for you. I understand this is not easy to do and is an art in itself. No wonder you are so pleased. If I ever get that far I know where to go for cover design. Best of luck with the books.
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October 18, 2015 at 6:29 pm
oh very nice. 🙂
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October 18, 2015 at 6:32 pm
Those covers are great! As I’m sure the content is, as well.
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October 18, 2015 at 7:27 pm
Beautiful covers! Chris is amazing and he only adds to your talent!
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October 18, 2015 at 8:28 pm
Awesome covers. Really eye-catching.
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October 18, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Stunning covers. Wow, Chris. You’re not just a pretty face. 😆
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October 18, 2015 at 10:25 pm
Contemporary attractive covers…! Love them.
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October 18, 2015 at 10:29 pm
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
The lovely Jo Robinson has been keeping a low profile but instead of like some of us, who lounge in the sun sipping a margherita, Jo has been very busy.. Three books to come and here are the cover reveals, designed by The Story Reading Ape.. what a team.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2015 at 11:29 pm
Love them. You’ve got me thinking it might be time to change my novel’s cover… Need to think about it but I can see why it’s a good idea, especially if you don’t have to ‘unpublish’ to do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2015 at 11:58 pm
Reblogged this on The Linden Chronicles: The Wolf's Moon/The River and commented:
Wow…fantastic new covers created by our favorite APE – Chris The Story Reading Ape!! Congrats Jo and Chris!
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October 19, 2015 at 12:09 am
[…] Covers Reveal on Jo Robinson […]
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October 19, 2015 at 12:41 am
3 Cheers! Celebrating your EVERY success ❤
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October 19, 2015 at 12:43 am
Fantastic covers! Sharing…
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October 19, 2015 at 3:38 am
Wow guess who will be doing my cover? Looks great Jo 🙂
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October 19, 2015 at 4:05 am
Awesome covers! Striking!
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October 19, 2015 at 8:36 am
Great covers Jo. 🙂
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October 19, 2015 at 10:08 am
Beautiful, Jo! Congratulations to the multi-talented Ape!
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October 19, 2015 at 10:39 am
Those covers are gorgeous, Jo! The colour of the title really pops against that dark, dreamy background! Love it! The Ape did good! And best of luck with this project. Interesting how the series developed into 2 sets of trilogies. Just shows how you can never take this gift for granted. I too changed the cover of my first book, for a couple of reasons, even though I loved the first one; I wasnt happy with the way it looked at thumbnail size, and also it gave the impression it was a childrens book, and people were buying it for 8year olds, but it just wasnt appropriate for that age group. I had considered none of that when I commissioned my first cover.
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October 19, 2015 at 10:48 am
The covers are fantastic Jo as I’m sure the stories are. So striking.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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October 19, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
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October 19, 2015 at 6:49 pm
Good for you Jo on the next books. The covers are gorgeous. Chris is so talented! 🙂
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October 22, 2015 at 10:54 pm
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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October 26, 2015 at 11:38 am
Congratulations. Make sure to send me materials for a release post when the time comes 🙂
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November 5, 2015 at 10:43 pm
Love all three book covers, Jo! Congratulations! Now I have to catch up on my reading. 😉
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November 12, 2015 at 5:49 am
Jo, Great covers. What a talented bloke Chris is!
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