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The Story Works Round Table podcast is now on Substack, where we can offer even more great content to our fans and listeners.

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Subscribers can sit with us at the round table to talk story craft every month. When we read a guest’s book, you can, too, then come discuss it with us and each other. Want to ask writing questions? Bring them to the round table!

We can’t wait to see how we grow over there. Won’t you join us?

This week we pull a fantastic episode from the archives. Graphic Designer Daria Brennan comes to the Round Table to help us understand how to approach and work with a designer, what makes a book cover outstanding, market considerations, and so much more.

VIDEO

AUDIO

SHOW NOTES

Can an author do their own cover? What is it like to work with a professional cover designer? And how should you start the process? Explore market and genre conventions, as well as some tricky pitfalls of wanting a person on your cover. We even talk about how hard it was to find the houses for Alida’s covers!

What we talked about:

Writers doing their own book covers, good idea or bad idea? (2:58)

The difference between markets in different countries. (5:25)

The difference in resources between writers and designers, and why authors should think twice about designing their own covers. (7:35)

We ask how do you work with a writers vision as a designer? (9:38)

We ask Daria what is your process for working with an author? (11:47)

We talk about genre conventions and how people are portrayed on covers. Are people on covers a good thing? And what to be aware of when looking for that perfect person to portray your character. (14:25)

What kind of preparation should an author come to a designer with? (19:20)

The importance of your books mood when it comes to cover design. (20:52)

The preparation Daria takes before starting a new design. (22:21)

The trials and tribulations of Alida’s The Murder in Skoghall House. (22:54)

LINKS

Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.

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