So last year, when I had Kim Killion of HotDamnDesigns create the cover for my upcoming release, AN HEIR OF DECEPTION, only one other author had used that particular stock photo. And the good thing about the Mary Jo Putney cover was that 2/3 of the photo was covered. You could barely tell the photo was the same. Well, fast forward a year later and that photo is super popular and has been used on about 8 (eight) more covers.
When I saw the last beautiful rendition of this photo I wanted to cry. Yes, it was beautiful, but my cover could now be mistaken for a good half dozen other books. What was I going to do? I decided I needed to commission Kim to make another cover but this time I bought all rights to the photo. Unfortunately, although Kim created a lovely cover for me, it wasn’t as good as the one I have and there was no way I would replace my current cover unless the new cover was either as good or better.
So I tried once again to get another cover made and that didn’t even make it off the floor. I swear, I wanted to cry. What was I going to do? So then a fan emailed me to kindly let me know she’d seen my photo on another cover. I thanked her and told her that I intended to have a new cover made. She pleaded with me to please think about changing it because she loves the current cover. To her, the couple on the cover is Alex and Charlotte and she suggested I open up the question to my readers. So today, that’s what I’m doing. The question is simple: do I commission someone to create a new cover for the third time or do I keep the cover I have with the firm knowledge, it won’t be unique?
Help me make the right choice. I think I’m too close to the issue and I trust your collective judgement.
“When was he born?” he asked quietly, bracing his hands on the pillow at the sides of her face as he closed the gap between them. “And this time I want the truth.” His tone held a warning note.
As if the truth was alien to her tongue, Charlotte started to speak several times before the word finally emerged breathless and broken. “February.”
Alex said nothing for several seconds, just held her captive in his flat, empty stare before lowering his head until his mouth brushed the lobe of her right ear. “See, that wasn’t so hard was it?”
~ AN HEIR OF DECEPTION
Coming Spring 2012
A random commenter will receive a $10 eGift Certificate.




