Lessons this first-time author learned about the cover design process.

As a published novelist-to-be, one of the most common questions I get is: don't you get input on the cover design?

The answer is: yes and no.

It's much like any expectant parent who spends hours contemplating what her baby will look like. She has ideas about the features she likes most in herself, her husband and others. The father's blue eyes. The family dimples handed down from Grandpa. And for months, one only has a grainy black and white sonogram photo to discern anything about a baby in utero. Sure, you supplied the DNA. But the rest is not up to you.

Naturally, as an author I had THE idea for the cover. It was a picture I had cut from an article about diving into your family gene pool. I had it posted on my desk for more than a year. You probably have ideas for your novel as well and those are great inspirations to keep you focused.

Boldly, I sent the picture to the publisher's art director. Now, I'm not one of those adamant it must be my way kind of people. But in my naiveté, I was certain I was helping the designer understand my book. I loved the image and I thought it was perfect.

My suggestion received a curt "thank you very much, but leave everything in my hands" response. Okay, maybe it wasn't curt. Maybe it was just my feelings. I stewed about this particular issue.

The loss of control.

The face of my book being so completely out of my hands.

The fear I had offended the designer.

The regret at having offered an opinion and possibly gained membership to the Difficult Writer Club.

These worries, I now know, are part and parcel of the Debut Novelist Club.

Today I received the cover design and it is more spectacular than I had imagined. And I have to tell you, seeing it had the same effect as seeing the tiny, beating heart of a baby on a sonogram screen. It makes the book real. It has a heartbeat.
Lesson: The publisher would not have accepted my book if they did not understand it in much they same way I do. A professional opinion from the author is appreciated. But in the end, the pros know what they are doing. Just look at my cover for JANEOLOGY and all the covers at www.kunati.com for evidence.