I wanted the cover to show off the personalities of each character in my series, Iggy the Iguana … it's a sneak peak into the diversity of the story. I also love color and eye catching scenes. My favorite covers always came from the front of Disney movies like the Little Mermaid, the Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. It is so much fun to look at a cover and see the story's plot shine through. My illustrator, Kelley Stangele, is a very talented painter, so she uses some of those techniques in her colored illustrations, which is why my book covers always look almost "water color-like". For this type of book … the brighter the better! At events many people will come up to see what Iggy the Iguana is all about when they pass by my huge poster displays of the covers. Mission accomplished!
Did you design the cover?
Yes, I did design the cover, but I did not illustrate or do the graphic art. So much goes into creating a cover. There are so many minor details. As the publisher, I had the freedom to guide the illustrator and graphic designer as they drew and laid down the artwork. I knew how I wanted the characters to look and the meaning behind the cover, so it was very important for me to be hands on, but I knew my limits and had my graphic designers, Sharon Wyatt and Matthew Landry, work their magic too.
Did your publisher design the cover?
I own LongTale Publishing, so yes, with the help of the whole creative team.
Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
Yes, and I did take advice form other professionals and got opinions from children as well.
Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.
The first book in the Iggy the Iguana series is all about Iggy changing to a new elementary school, so the main characters were placed on the cover in the playground of the school … which is also where many of the major scenes take place. I find myself continually bringing the outdoors into the covers. I love the beautiful colors of nature.
Who is the cover artist?
Kelley Stengele
Are you happy with the cover?
Yes, but I am a constant motivator for change, so eventually when we do future revisions on the series, I would love to have a different look. That will be in many years, though.
If not, what would you change and why?
I would want us to redraw a few of the characters, maybe clean of a few things too.
Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.
It is soooo colorful, and the characters show off their unique personalities the second you look at them.
Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.
It was drawn and finished in layers. The end result was completed in Indesign and Photoshop.
Please provide your website link.
What are the links to buy your books?
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-League-Melissa-Marie-Williams/dp/0981805434/
