We want you to share your book cover with us. An attractive cover is a big element in the appeal of your book. We want the details about yours.
Did you design the cover?
No way. My drawing is limited to stick figures and the occasional house and tree.
Did your publisher design the cover?
I signed a contract with Guardian Angel Publishing. They have a group of artists they work with and I was asked to provide three possible artists I would be interested in. I was familiar with Eugene Ruble’s work from other Guardian Angel books, so I was thrilled when he accepted the contract for Little Shepherd.
Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
I provided Eugene with an idea of what I thought would be good for the cover, and he worked with that. It’s exactly what I had imagined.
Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.
Eugene and I have never met and we’ve never even spoken by phone. He’s not online, so once I signed my part of the contract, I mailed the contract off to Eugene with potential ideas for the cover art and the interior illustrations.
When the publisher told me she had a galley of the cover ready to send me, I have to admit I didn’t open the email attachment right away. I said a quick prayer because I wasn’t sure what I would do if I wasn’t happy with the cover art.
Who is the cover artist?
Eugene Ruble designed both the cover and the interior illustrations. I’m familiar enough with his work now that I can usually tell he’s illustrated a book without looking at the credit on the front cover. While he’s not online, you can visit the Guardian Angel Publishing website at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/artists&books.htm and scroll down the list to see other books he’s illustrated.
Are you happy with the cover?
I love it! He took my idea and provided what I never could have in a million years.
If not, what would you change and why?
Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.
What I like best about the cover is that it captures the essence of the entire story. Obed is in the fields with his sheep, the wolves are howling overhead, and the angel is in the background surrounded by a glowing light.
Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.
There was a tiny bit of confusion over the title on the cover. The first galley I received showed the title of The Little Shepherd Boy, which was the original title. I went around promoting how my book, The Little Shepherd Boy, would be released in August. Then I noticed that the Guardian Angel website said Little Shepherd. We opted for the shorter title, but it caused bloggers a tiny bit of confusion at the start of my virtual book tour.
Please provide your website link.
My website can be found at http://ccmalandrinos.com/. I also have a blog dedicated solely to the book, which can be found at http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/.
What is the link to buy your book?
Little Shepherd can be purchased from:
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Shepherd-Cheryl-C-Malandrinos/dp/1616330856
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/9781616330859
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/little-shepherd.htm
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781616330859
