Some of my favorite posts here on Inspired by Life…and Fiction have been those telling how our book covers came to be. I’ve loved seeing the photo shoots, the model makeovers, dressmaking, settings…the whole thing! Seeing a final book cover has to be one of the most exciting moments in the life process of any book.
I got a peek at the new cover for the Dutch edition of my second Chicory Inn Novel, Two Roads Home. Here are the two books in both American and Dutch versions:
I immediately loved this new cover for Draagkracht (which translates Capacity) but I also thought it looked a bit familiar. Yet I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.
And then I was skimming through some of the older posts on this blog, and there it was! On the cover of my dear friend and critique partner’s novel—the German translation of The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander!
I couldn’t believe it! No horses on my cover, no sweater or cup of tea on Tammy’s, but our heroines were definitely the same girl. What fun!
We’ve shared first peeks at covers for almost a dozen years now, reading everything the other writes, and sharing this crazy business in so many ways. Tammy has made me a better writer, but more than that, she’s made me a better person, often helping me see things from a different, more heavenly-minded perspective.
Here we are ten years ago, when Tammy and her husband Joe came for a visit. I don’t think either of us dreamed back then that we’d still be writing, still be critique partners, still be watching each other’s kids grow up and sharing so much of life (even if our chances to get together in person are too few and far between).
And ten years later, here we are with lookalike covers…and even lookalike author photos! 🙂
Here’s a question for you: Does anyone know what is in the spoons on Deb’s cover? What do the Dutch drink with tea? Round sugar “cubes”? Marshmallows? Anyone have a guess? We don’t know!
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This is so funny! I think they’re both beautiful covers.
I have NO IDEA what the things with the spoons are. I am 100% Dutch, I live in the Netherlands, I’m a huge tea fan, but I have no clue. My first thought was ‘schoolkrijt’, which is a peppermint/licorice candy that looks like chalk. But that’s usually a little thinner and longer. Can’t help you here!
Maaike
Maaike, I was just sure one of our Dutch friends would know…but I found the stock photograph from an American company, so I do wonder if it’s just a skinny marshmallow. Except I’ve never heard of putting marshmallows in tea…only hot cocoa. Is schoolkrijt something you have with tea? Thank you so much for responding!
Hi, Maaike! Still hoping to come your way again. Blessings on your day, friend.
Very pretty covers, and obviously not just the same model, but the same picture. That sure looks like a marshmallow in the spoon, but I sure can’t imagine putting it in my tea. But very interesting that the Dutch person above has no clue either. 🙂
Kathleen, Tammy’s artist added the lace neckline to the image to give it a more historical look, but you’re right…it’s the exact same stock photo they started from. Fun!
Doesn’t look like a sugar CUBE! More like a mini marshmallow.
I’ve seen the exact same model on more than one cover in the exact same pose by other authors. I pointed it out and the author told me the publishers have files with pictures that are used over and over. I thought that was very interesting info since the cover is the first thing that draws me to pick up a book and read the back.
I found some “marshmallow cylinders” for sale on a Chinese website. Maybe that’s what these are? What a mystery! 🙂 And yes, I’ve long been fascinated by stock photos used for multiple covers. There’s a website dedicated to that somewhere. I’ll have to see if I can find the link…
Deborah, I’ve enjoyed the posts about our book covers, too. I think the art directors who create them do a wonderful job, especially considering that they don’t have time to read all those books.
I agree, Lynn! I’ve been privileged to work with so many great art directors. Living with a graphic designer (aka my hubby) I know the frustrations they often face when they are getting “art directed” from author, editor, sales force, etc. They do a wonderful and extremely important job! And they do it well!
Two wonderful gals and writers. Loved this post.
Blessings
Shirley
Thank you, Shirley! It was fun to share! 🙂 Appreciate you taking the time to share!
Bless you, Shirley, for those kind words. That Deb can be a bit surly at times, but I think I’ll stick with her.
: )
Whew! 😉
Great post! Had me laughing and smiling. I didn’t realize they completely redid the covers for foreign versions! I wonder why.
Beth
My understanding is that sometimes they don’t have the rights to the original publisher and it would be cost prohibitive to purchase those rights. I think also, sometimes a certain American cover won’t appeal to the readership in a foreign country. I know my Dutch editors have said that they sometimes have to change Americanisms…or our humor that falls flat in the translation…and even sometimes things like dress and makeup which might not be suitable for more conservative readers in the Netherlands. It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
I love this! What a fun discovery and as many others have said, two of my favorite authors and women as well. I am so glad both of you are still writing as well. 😉
Thanks, Casey! It’s been fun being on the journey with Tammy! We’ve loved reading for each other, and the resulting friendship!
Hugs to you, Casey! Deb is getting older though, bless her, so not sure how much longer she’ll keep writing. (insert sweetly Southern maniacal laughter here)
As long as my critique partner can see well enough to read my work…THAT’S how much longer! (Insert maniacal anything-but-sweet-and-Southern laughter here.) 😉
This was so fun to see! One of my Thornike covers has the some cover model and photo as Martha Rogers. We exchanged emails and had fun talking about it. Your Dutch cover and Tammy’s are very pretty! I love working with Kok. I’m excited that I’ll have my second book, Daughter of Highland Hall, coming out with them soon.
Kok has been wonderful to work with. I’ve seen some of your covers with them, Carrie, and they are beautiful! It’s on my bucket list to get to go to the Netherlands some day and meet everyone there!
Wish we could all go together. Would be such fun. A gal can dream… : )
Considering the way graphics artists can add a lace neckline, change hair colors, shirt colors, etc., I wonder if the spoon is holding a mini marshmallow and perhaps the cup used to be hot chocolate but they changed it to tea?
Truly, ANYTHING is possible Sparksofember!! That may be exactly what happened! You win for best guess so far, and that’s something I hadn’t even thought of!
Oh my. The possiblities for comments on this blog post are endless! LOL Love the pic of the two of you. I’m surprised Tammy’s hair allowed y’all to stand that close together! 🙂 And they obviously didn’t use her Big Sexy hairspray on the model!
I’m betting that’s sugar on the cover of your book…although heaven knows you’re certainly not the one lacking sweetness. Bwa-ha-ha! (Love ya Tammy!)
Seriously, how special it is that the two of you share a book cover model! Love it.
We loved it, too, Linda! Such a fun surprise, and I seriously can’t think of anyone I’d be more honored to share a book cover with. And yes, the big sexy hair was bigger back in the day, but still just as lovely. I told Tam she hasn’t changed a BIT!