The cover shoot for my new release, Let It Be Me, took place eight months ago. Today, I’m excited to share behind-the-scenes photos of that day + runner-up covers that the team considered for the novel + a fun giveaway!
Cover designer Jennifer Parker (seated on right) told me that the cover creation process has been extremely challenging this last year because of Covid. Like so many of us, the cover designers, models, make-up artists, and photographers had to find ways to adapt and accomplish their work while keeping everyone healthy.
Cover couple Spencer and Lissa are adorable together! They’re married in real life. You can learn more about them and their relationship by reading my interview with them here.
As you can see, they photographed them in studio against a white wall. The dress Lissa’s wearing was purchased by the cover design team. When they were out shopping for her wardrobe, they emailed me a few different choices. I picked this dress immediately, because Leah wears polka dots a few times in the book.
Lissa was hired through a modeling agency to pose for this cover. When her agent asked, “Would your husband be willing to take part in the photo shoot, too?” she immediately said yes. Spencer’s a mechanical engineer and was such a good sport to come along for the ride!
Once Jennifer received the photos from the shoot, she went to work preparing several different cover possibilities (called mock-ups). She then shared those with a team of people from Bethany House Publishers that includes staff from design, editorial, marketing, and sales. Here are some of the covers they considered….
And here’s the finished cover….
You’ll notice that they changed the title font to dark pink and made the wash of color along the bottom more turquoise than green. Many thanks to everyone at Bethany House who worked so hard under challenging conditions to bring the characters of Sebastian and Leah to life on this cover!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the cover shoot and runner-up covers!
I’m truly grateful for my readers! To thank you for supporting my books and following me on this blog and via social media, I’ve put together a giveaway.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Vicky Daniels, who won the below prizes. 🙂
Becky Wade
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Stacy Simmons says
I always love seeing the story behind your covers, Becky. Let It Be Me’s cover is beautiful, as is the story inside.
Becky Wade says
Thanks, Stacy!
Amy M. says
After seeing these mock-ups I really wish they would’ve shown more of Spencer/Sebastian’s face since he’s so handsome. I cracked this gem open last night despite telling myself I’d wait until I was at the beach next week. But alas, my self-control could hold no longer and I’m already la-la-loving it!
Becky Wade says
It’s so hard to save books for the beach! I hope you continue loving Let It Be Me and that you have a fabulous vacation, Amy. 🙂
Sarah Ratliff says
Amy – Me too! I was going to wait until our memorial day trip, and I just couldn’t. Excited to read more tonight while I’m at work with a chai tea latte!
Karen Witemeyer says
I look forward to these behind-the-scenes posts from you every year, Becky! Always so fun. I actually really like cover number 3. His smile is so genuine and I love a couple that laughs together. 🙂 I do really like the title in the popping pink, though. Great final product! And I know the story will match.
Becky Wade says
Thanks, Karen! I agree that there’s something engaging about a couple laughing together on a cover. Laughter is romantic!
Angie Quantrell says
I love seeing the covers and the process! I have no idea how they choose! There are too many good choices. Such a cute couple. 🙂
Becky Wade says
I’m sure it’s hard, from time to time, for the team to choose which cover to run with when there are so many strong options!
Rebecca says
The runner ups were really good. However, I love the finally cover. It was the best.
Becky Wade says
I agree! 🙂
Amy B. says
This was a fun post. I also thought all the cover designs were great choices, but my personal favorite would be the next to last photo with their eyes closed, but with the color scheme of the final one. I agree with the other comments that it would be better to see a bit more of his face & the pink lettering is great! However, you couldn’t have gone wrong with any of them! 😀 And thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
Becky Wade says
That photo is sweet and romantic! It’s as if they snapped a photo in the moment before he kissed her forehead.
June says
It’s always fun to see your photo shoots and learn about the cover and people involved. I love the cover you used most of all. Runner-up would be the one where she is behind and looking over his shoulder. Great story!!! (As usual)
Becky Wade says
Thank you, June!
Theresa P says
Fun! I adore her polka dot dress! The one that shows his great smile caught my eye, but the final pick was perfect of her. It makes me feel happy inside to know they are a real life couple.
Like others, I couldn’t wait to read it…finished at 12:30 am night before last 😁. Loved it! Will definitely re-read it again this summer. Thank you for sharing your gift (and all your hard work) and these “behind the scenes” with us. Your stories truly inspire♥️
Becky Wade says
Thank you so much, Theresa! It means a lot to me to hear that you stayed up late to finish. 🙂
Amy says
OOOH! I love that they went turquoise over the green! And that they let the title pop in a bright color. Definitely agree with the choice of which cover picture to use. And ooooh……I just adored this story!
Becky Wade says
Thank you so much!
Megan says
I like all the cover choices but I have to say the one you went with is by far my favorite. The colors and photo just go so well together. I think that’s so cool the couple is married in real life too.
Becky Wade says
I love that they’re married in real life!
Glenda says
I love the back story of your cover. It’s fascinating!
I would have chosen any cover but the one they chose. I didn’t/don’t like it at all, especially because the hero’s eyes are missing. And her body is in a weird position for a book cover! Uggh, I buy books because of the cover, Bethany House.
But I still bought the book because it’s written by you. And I will continue buying your books as long as the content is superb. My peanut gallery comments are not directed at you personally and I look forward to reading your book soon!
Becky Wade says
I’m grateful to you for buying the book despite that you don’t like the cover, Glenda!
Shelli Littleton says
So enjoyed seeing the options, Becky ❤
Becky Wade says
I’m glad to hear it, Shelli!
Susan says
Love these posts! Any of the mock ups would have made a great cover. Thanks for letting us see inside!
Becky Wade says
My pleasure!
JOAN ARNING says
Excellent choice
Becky Wade says
🙂
Susan Smith says
That’s interesting, there is more work involved than I thought. I thought the covers where picked from photos and then photoshop together if it’s a couple. My choice of cover would have been a full picture of the husband as he is attractive and most women are the ones who are buying the books.
Becky Wade says
Stock photos were used on My Stubborn Heart’s old and new cover. But other than that, they’ve organized a photo shoot every time. 🙂
Janice Garey says
It’s great to read about the making of cover art during a pandemic. A husband and wife team worked well considering. The cover chosen is perfect, but as others have have mentioned, it would been nice to see his eyes. I wonder if this is a current trend in cover art, to add a little curiosity or for allowing the reader’s imagination to fill in details? It could be a device to give readers a little more opportunity to dive deep into the story quickly? Just speculating. Thank you for offering the giveaway treats. I have not read your books so I have you on my radar now. I love that pink lipstick color lettering!
Becky Wade says
I appreciated hearing your thoughts! When they cut off models’ heads on covers, I do think the idea is to allow for the reader’s imagination to fill in the details.
Shelley Carman says
Oh I abosltely adore this Becky! I love how you give the readers this insight into the making of one of your covers! I just so admire the artistic talent that goes into colors, how to pose the couple, font and color selection. And picking out the clothes for the models. It’s just so cool! I’d love to go along and see all this for myself.
I love which one was picked but if I had to pick a runner up then I would pick number 4. I like that you can see their profiles withougt seeing their eyes straight on because as we read I think we “see” our characters in our mind and this gives us the a strong start without taking away details we may “see”. I also like that “Sebastian” looks serious and devoted just like his character and “Leah” has the little smile like she’s thinking is this really happening. Fun!
Danie Walther says
Becky, I absolutely love the cover of your New book! I also love that you use real people for your books also!
I look forward to getting too read your book one day.
Also thank you for letting me participate in the giveaway too.
Laura W. says
I really like the one they picked and the changes to the coloring for contrast and to soften it up! Although #3 is a close second, sometimes it is fun to just get a peek of one of the characters so you can imagine them how you want. It’s always fun to see the mockups though, and I love that this was a couple in real life. So fun! I can’t wait to read it!
Mj says
Hi Becky,
You would not have gone wrong with any of the cover photos. Such a beautiful couple and it is really cool they are married.
Can’t wait to read the book! I know it will be as wonderful as every book of yours that I have read!
Anne Payne says
It looks like it was a lot of fun making this cover, especially since the couple is married in real life! I love the final cover, and the story was incredible!!!
Brenda Murphree says
Oh my goodness! I would have a hard time picking the cover. They are all beautiful!