How do you become a cover designer? Art Director Thy Bui tells all

My latest: Book of Lies,
published by Orchard Books 24 March!

by Teri Terry

I'm taking a break from blogging about writing this time, and moving on to something that can strike hope, fear, joy and despair into the heart of all authors... sometimes at the same time. Yes, you guessed it: book covers. 

Covers are so critical to the success of a book. The most amazing book with the wrong cover will struggle; the most average book with the most amazing cover will do well. Them's the facts. 

When I first saw the cover for Book of Lies, I was still writing the story. It was love at first sight for me: an amazing cover! Actually possibly the most amazing cover in the history of covers! Though instead of thinking, ok, average insides will do the job, it somehow turned the pressure up a notch to get the story just right.

Considering how important they are, there is very little out there about the shadowy figures behind cover design.

Countdown to Christmas: Megan Larkin of Orchard Books

Megan Larkin is publishing director of Orchard Books, part of Hachette Children's Books. Orchard Books offers a sparkling range of very special titles that sell all over the world. Picture book characters from Daisy the Duck to Charlie & Lola, authors such as Michael Lawrence and Giles Andreae, illustrators from Jane Ray to Angela Barrett and best-selling fiction series such as Rainbow Magic and Tiara Club, make for a rich treasure-trove of talent.

Megan's Christmas Wish:

I love books that make you laugh, and books that make you cry. If a book can make me laugh AND cry then I’m in heaven. A few years ago, Orchard published a glorious book called Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli, a wonderfully moving story about a lovable, quirky character who will stay in my heart for ever. I would love to find another Stargirl in my Christmas stocking.

Stargirl!

Slushpile note: Megan and Orchard Books are also publishing one Teri Terry, part of the Slushpile team! Slated will be out in May 2012, as reported here.

It's a deal! Teri Terry and Slated find a home with Orchard Books

by Teri Terry

I’m very excited to announce that I’ve got a three book deal with Megan Larkin at Orchard Books for my futuristic thriller, SLATED!

Book 1 will be out in May, 2012!


And books 2 and 3 of the trilogy are planned for twelve month intervals thereafter.

Somebody, pinch me...

A year ago this seemed a dim possibility. All those long months spent freezing in the Writing Shack last winter:

Writing Slated wrapped in a sleeping bag to stay warm:

And then there were all the sacrifices made to get the book done:

Less time for all those little things that seem important at the time, like polishing my ducks:

And all that hard work revising, and revising some more:

Sometimes it was hard to keep the faith, and a little pep talk from my editorial committee was necessary:

But what a difference a few months can make. It was only in April that I was thrilled to have the amazing Caroline Sheldon as my agent. With her on my side the opportunities for champagne continue.

Short weeks later Slated was on submission, I was biting my nails, and trying to quash the ‘what if’s’ dancing through my head. You know, what if they like it? What if they hate it? What if they like it but marketing hates it?

But before long I was meeting with publishers, and the dream was getting closer.

I chose Orchard Books because I was impressed with new publishing director Megan Larkin, her marketing team, and their enthusiasm for Slated, and felt that they were in the best position to launch my career.

And guess what?

It is so worth it.

Hi Mum! It's me! I'm gonna be published!!

Memories ...

Read this hilarious interview with Teri from last year when she was still killing time winning prizes while waiting to get published