Friday, March 4, 2016

Creating TWIN Book Covers: Costumes, Models, Photography...and GIFT COPIES!


Note: This blog post includes a drawing for two FREE kindle-edition book give-aways! (Read on!)
I had the privilege of contributing two novels (category-length, both roughly 40K words) to the American Mail-Order Brides Series. As one of 45 authors of 50 books, I used the series' cover template, created by a talented artist regularly patronized by our group's leaders. But when it came down to the model or stock photos, that part was up to me.




This series is new. Book #1 (out of 50) released on November 19th, 2015, one each and every day through January 7th, 2016. Reviewers have been kind, expressing appreciation and admiration of the series and the wide variety of contributing authors and types of stories. While all books are about a different state (or territory) within the United States in the year 1890, all are about a mail-order bride. Readers have expressed delight with how very different all 50 books are, and yet they all begin with the same prequel that ties them all together. You'll find this brief prequel FREE on Amazon and on the series' website.



I knew my two books, Lessie: Bride of Utah (book #45) and Josie: Bride of New Mexico (book #47) would be identical twin sisters, hence the need to either use the same model for a custom photo shoot or use stock images of the same model for both covers--or find a set of identical twins to suit my purposes.

A few readers asked if I'd used twin models or whether I'd used one model for both images. One woman who raised the question has a son-in-law who is an identical twin and she can't tell him apart from his brother. Answer: I used one model to represent both twins.

I elected to do a custom photo shoot as to avoid duplication of models used within this fifty-book series (completely unprecedented within publishing--until we did it!). Authors of western historical romance often bemoan the lack of images available within the stock image market.

Costume used for images to be perhaps used with another project
Model in front of "green screen" in costume made especially for Lessie: Bride of Utah.

I had the pleasure of sewing the costumes for both covers. I'm pleased the photographer and her skilled use of lighting was able to make the different fabric textures (while all black) show up with exquisite detail on the finished cover. Look at the difference between my snapshot with my phone (above) and the official cover, below--and the visibility of the silk blouse against the velvet cape and the grosgrain ribbon of the bonnet strings.

 

I enjoy sewing and doing so allows me a creative outlet to compliment my writing and come up with a suit of clothes that are truly era-appropriate. I've sewn many of the costumes used on my various books. I've purchased others, rented some from theater companies, and am continually collecting costume pieces to use for upcoming projects.

This pattern was used for Lessie: Bride of Utah's costume. See it made up in dark red and black, in the photo shoot image and on the book's cover image.
This draft of the copy for Josie: Bride of New Mexico shows a side view of her twin sister, Lessie:Bride of Utah, and a fun view of the bonnet. Part of the FUN of the 19th Century was the clothing...especially the hats! This image was discarded in favor of the published image with only one sister on each cover.

The background images needed to ideally represent the part of Utah and section of New Mexico in my stories...and reflect the late autumn and early wintertime setting. I purchased the background images from a stock photo company, based upon my intimate knowledge of northern Utah and my many travel experiences through New Mexico.
 

These companion novels stand alone and one may be read and enjoyed without the other. While designed to be read in either order, many readers have commented in reviews they recommend reading Lessie first, followed by Josie. Both are available as Kindle editions on Amazon (exclusively) and both are a FREE Read with kindleunlimited. Paperback versions of both are coming soon.



Find the whole series on Amazon

Note: While all 50 books began as exclusive to Amazon and thus offered as a free read to subscribers of the kindleunlimited program, some authors have begun to diversify. It's possible some titles are available now for Nook, on Kobo, etc.



DRAWING is for one gift copy of  Lessie: Bride of Utah (book #45) and one gift copy of Josie: Bride of New Mexico (book #47). Drawing is open for ONE 24-hour period, beginning the moment this post is live (12 AM on Friday, March 4th, 2016) and closes at midnight the same day (11:59 PM on Friday night, March 4th, 2016).

To Enter: Reply to this blog post in the comment section provided. In your response, answer the question: What is your personal opinion about familiar stock images appearing on more than one book cover? Please explain your answer. 

Note: As this is an opinion poll, there is no right and no wrong answer. Your answer (either way) will in no way effect your probability of winning. Two winners will be announced by 10 AM (PST) on Saturday morning, March 5th, 2016, in the comment section of this post. One winner will receive the kindle edition of Lessie: Bride of Utah and one winner will receive the kindle edition of Josie: Bride of New Mexico, via email directly from Amazon. Because of this delivery method, the winners must be willing to provide their email address, privately, to Kristin Holt. Upon announcement of winners, the two who've won will be asked to email me directly [Kristin (at) KristinHolt (dot) com] or through my website's contact page. I respect your privacy--your email address will be used only for the award of your prize.


Hi! I'm Kristin Holt.
I write frequent articles (or view recent posts easily on my Home Page, scroll down to mid to lower) about the nineteenth century American west–every subject of possible interest to readers, amateur historians, authors…as all of these tidbits surfaced while researching for my books. I also blog monthly at Sweet Americana Sweethearts (first Friday of each month) and Romancing the Genres (third Tuesday of each Month).

I love to hear from readers! Please drop me a note. Or find me on Facebook.



Website | Email | Newsletter | Twitter | Pinterest | g+| Facebook Profile | Facebook Page | Amazon

P.S. I'm more than a little obsessed with mail order brides. I've written a 12-part series of articles (blog posts) about genuine history's mail-order bride scams in the 19th century Victorian-era United States. Fact is often a great basis to begin a book on...and fact is often so much stranger and (perhaps) more entertaining than fiction. You'll find the first blog post in the 12-part series here--with easy links to follow through and read as many of them as might strike your fancy.
 
 
Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt, LC
.

21 comments:

  1. I think it's fine to use the same stock photos for the background of a cover. It's the character depicted that I pay the most attention to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy! Thanks for stopping by. Ah--backgrounds! I'm glad you mentioned them. Like you, I pay less attention to them than the focal point (Such as a couple or a cabin/house/train/etc.)
      Cheers--
      Kristin

      Delete
  2. Hi Kristin, It's fun to hear the story behind the covers, so thanks for sharing. I read both books and enjoyed them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda--
      Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed Lessie and Josie. I've read several others in the series, but haven't made it nearly as far as I'd like. Many thanks for your kind words.
      Kristin

      Delete
  3. I think it is fine to reuse a stock image. I like to look at the covers when I am reading to get an idea of what they pictured the lady or couple to look like. So many can be used to represent the same from other authors work as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Leslie--
      Thank you for your feedback. I'm with you--enjoying peeking back at the cover while reading a book (especially when elements represented thereon make an appearance in the story). I believe your opinion is common to many readers (and publishers) because if it weren't, no one would sell a stock image a second time, purchase one already used, or meld/recreate a finalized composition. =)
      Cheers!
      Kristin

      Delete
  4. Wow, Kristin! You are a multi-talented lady to be able to sew such amazing costumes. What an interesting blog, thank you!

    I don't mind reusing a stock image to a certain point. For some reason though, I get tired of the same couple photos over and over but not a single hero/heroine. I don't know why that is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi C_Patterson--
      (I do know who you are, but just in case you'd prefer I not make a public announcement...)
      Hey, thanks! I sew out of pleasure and enjoyment. If it were ALL work, I'd have bagged it a long time ago. I've been sewing since age 10 when my mother was determined to pass along the skill set to me.
      I do understand what you're saying. I've often thought the same thing--especially when one favorite couple or individual model is used over and over and over...(because it appeals or it's the most suitable to the era or genre). Maybe the repetition bugs me, personally, because I don't care for it as much as the others who used it did. =) IDK.
      Thanks for stopping by and speaking up!
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  5. Great covers. I like you, tend to use my own models and background shots. It does help that I also do photography, but I don't do the costumes. Yours are fabulous. Congratulations! Angela/Doris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Angela--
      Thank you! I do love costuming. I care that the era is right, the details positively contributing to the story, and more. I've not been able to do photo shoots or costuming for all of mine, but I tend to prefer those I've done from the ground up. I admire your photography skills...I just sew. My photographer is an amazing woman who not only takes the raw images, she's the Photoshop guru. She puts it all together and I don't pay her nearly enough. =) Photography seems a natural fit with writing: both creative pursuits.
      Cheers--
      Kristin

      Delete
  6. Kristin ~ I am in awe of all your talents! I love to sew also, but having had boys, I got away from it. (They just wanted to wear jeans and t-shirts!) I have just taken up crochet again after a LONG hiatus and am really enjoying it. But how you make the time to sew and do photo shoots and write is amazing to me. Thank you for a personal glimpse into it and how these two covers came about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kathryn--
      Thanks for your kind compliments. Photo shoots can take ALL day (some have) and are exhausting. Thank goodness others have been just a few hours. But sewing costumes has, in the past, swallowed my writing time whole. I have to be careful to balance and remember which is most important. Or pace myself. =) Now I'm sewing costumes for myself in the decades I write, to wear for events. I suppose I'm well and fully enamored of sewing Victorian clothing. =)
      Warm regards,
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  7. I don't mind the familiar stock photo.. Sometimes I don't even see the cover with ebooks.. Love all the covers in this series too..
    dkstevensne AToutlookD OTcoM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Deanna--
      Thanks for your feedback! I've heard many readers (and authors) say they LIKE the familiarity...almost like "more of the same" and "I like this kind of book" response when they see a familiar couple/single model pose on a book they'll most likely enjoy. It's an interesting twist on the subject, isn't it? Thanks for your creative and careful way of sharing your email so prizes can be awarded!
      Nearly ready to put all responses in a hat and draw the 2 winners.
      cheers!
      Kristin

      Delete
  8. This was very enlightening as I had no idea as to how covers were created. I tend to agree with Amy. I pay more attention to the character on the cover so I haven't even noticed the same stock cover being used. I'm going to say it doesn't bother me but I could see how it could possibly bother different personalities.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks Yung Family-- for dropping by, contributing to the conversation, and your feedback on the process.
      cheers!
      Kristin

      Delete
  9. THANK YOU to all who stopped by while the contest was open, answered the question about cover model images (stock photograph or unique photo shoots) and contributed to the conversation about "behind the scenes" development" of book covers. I put all entries' names on slips of card stock, held them up like a deck of cards for Go Fish, and had my daughter draw our two winners.
    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
    And the winner of Lessie: Bride of Utah is AMY LOUDMERMILK!
    And the winner of Josie: Bride of New Mexico is YUNG FAMILY!
    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
    In order to gift your copies through Amazon, I simply need your email addresses, winners, to be used solely for this purpose of having Amazon email your delivery link. You'll click on "Accept my Gift" (or some similar link name) and download your book to appear on your device very much as if you'd made a purchase.
    :::::To privately provide me your email address, you're welcome to PM me on FB (Author Kristin Holt)--see link at the end of my post, above, OR email me through my website (see link at bottom of my post, above). Note: I respect your privacy and will not use your email for anything other than this singular purpose of delivery of your prize. (You won't 'magically' end up on my newsletter list {wink}):::::

    One more tip: Winners (or winners of any Amazon prize drawing)-- naturally, authors give away their eBook copies for you to enjoy. But as my titles are on Kindle Unlimited and you :may: have already read them, did you know you have an option to claim my "gift" but not claim my book title? It's true-- the email from Amazon will let you take the dollar value of your gift copy and apply it toward a title you actually haven't read. So rather than let the value of your prize languish unused, feel free to spend the $ on a book you'll enjoy.

    Warm Regards,
    Kristin Holt

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great post Kristin. Dang girl - you can do it all!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Penny! Your kind words feel so good... but if you only knew! I'm rather inept at PLENTY.
      cheers--
      Kristin

      Delete
  11. You are such a talented lady! How fun you make the costumes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shanna!
      So glad to see you stopped by.
      Best,
      Kristin

      Delete