One of the most difficult things for a writer to do is to choose a book cover. A cover needs to capture the attention of a reader and convey the message and “feel” of a book. A writer spends months (sometimes years!) creating a novel and then has to convey all of those words in a single image. It is never an easy task.
I loved the first cover of my Cooper Moon series. Created by the fabulous Paul Beeley of Create Imaginations, it depicted one of my favorite scenes from the novel. Cooper’s wife, Sally, wakes in the middle of the night and goes outside into the woods. It has just rained and the sky is full of fireflies. As she walks through the woods, surrounded by thousands of fireflies, she spots, for the first time, the little church Cooper is building. I think Paul did a great job of recreating that scene.
As much as I loved that cover, as my four-book Cooper Moon series began to take shape, I realized I needed covers that would be unique and quickly recognized. I wanted all of the covers to have the same look and feel. I wanted readers to recognize, at a glance, my Cooper Moon novels. I knew this meant that I would need to create some sort of image that would be carried through all four novels. I spent days looking at book covers on Amazon and came up with several ideas that I quickly discarded. I was beginning to lose hope of coming up with anything that felt “right” for the series.
Then, one night, just as I was about to fall asleep, it came to me. At one point in the first novel Cooper leaves a note for his wife. Suddenly, I saw this note on all four covers and I had exactly the image that I needed!
That image has now replaced the covers that were originally on the first two books on the series. It will also be on the last two books of the series – in a slightly altered form – no spoilers here! You will have to wait until later this year when the remaining two books of the series will be published to see all of the covers.
Although I think the original cover was more attractive, I love these new covers. I think they capture the feeling of the books – especially when you see all four books together! So – stay tuned!!!Cooper Moon can be purchased as a paperback, or as an ebook for Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and Kobo
Deb Stephenson says
When will books 3 & 4 of Cooper and Sally series be available? I can’t wait!! I am a breast cancer survivor and am home a lot right now recuperating from a mastectomy and reconstruction on both breasts. Thank you for giving me such a great read during this time!
Cheryl Shireman says
Deb – THANK YOU for taking the time to write such a kind message! I am still working on Books 3 and 4 (at the same time) and was hoping to have both completed before the end of the year. Right now, I’m not sure if I will make it. For better or worse, new story lines keep popping up and those pesky characters sometimes seem to have a mind of their own!
I’m so happy you are enjoying the series – and I am especially delighted that my books gave you some enjoyment while you were recuperating.This must have been a very tough time for you and I am thrilled that I could give you a little diversion while you are healing.
Email me at cherylshireman at gmail.com and I will be sure to get you copies of Cooper Moon 3 & 4 as soon as they are published! If you are on Facebook, you might also be interested in my “Preferred Readers Group.” Let me know if you are interested when you email me.
Thanks again for reaching out to me. How very kind of you!
Happy reading!