Chapter 7 - It's not just about the words....

How do you imagine a writer works?

Is it all just about laying out the words on paper from the first to the last? Does a writer simply scribble away, with multiple crossings out until that final moment when the work is willing to be shared?

Well the answer is yes, but with a caveat for independent self-publishing authors, when the words are done there is more work to do.

I’m a planner, a list person; I have a to-do list almost every day! So it would make sense to me to multi task in order to reduce the time taken to publish once my work is done. Those other non-writing tasks I have to consider are;

  •  Book Cover 
  •  Jacket Copy 
  •  Dedication 
  •  Editing
  •  Proof reading 
  •  Layout /structure for publishing formats 
  •  Publishing retailers / Exclusivity 
  •  Marketing plan 
  •  Pricing
  •  Giveaways / Competitions 
  •  Reviews 

Right now, as I’m about half way through the first draft of “The Poppy Garden” I’m starting to plan my book cover.

 My reason for starting this right now is three fold,

  1. Gives me time to work with the cover artist to get the look I want 
  2. Enables me to offer pre orders 
  3. Marketing campaign kick off with a cover reveal


I start the process by discussing the book and my ideas with my cover artist. I’ve worked with Jeanie Henning, for a while now she’s an amazing visual artist I met over twitter and we have collaborated on the covers for Jonah Axe and the Weeping Bride and The Draco Chronicles; Homecoming.

She has a process whereby I answer questions on the book, to help her understand what I want to achieve and to also get the main themes, central characters Right now we are in the initial phase, we communicate over email mostly.

I’ve provided an outline of my book, generally I share my draft synopsis and I’ve given her background to the book and explained whats important to me. Now it’s time for her to digest the information, do any research she may feel she needs, come back and ask me further questions and then let her creative juices flow.

The book cover will be a huge part of the books success, it is what catches your eye and what draws you in and if I don’t grab you then what hope have I of making you turn the first page?

So stay tuned and just maybe I’ll give you some hints and maybe a sneaky peak sometime soon.

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