Cover Stories: Jessie ♥ NYC

Keris Stainton was here last year to share the Cover Story for Della Says: OMG!, and now she's back with the tale of Jessie ♥ NYC!

Here's Keris:

"I didn't really think about the cover when I was writing the book -- I'd made a collage so I just pictured that... although it did have the Empire State Building smack bang in the middle!

"After I'd delivered the book I actually dreamed the cover and the title. I told my editor and she asked me to send over the details, so I made a few mock-ups and she loved them (one is below):

"The first version I saw was black and white (right) and then the next one was gold, but not as fabulously shiny as the finished product.

"When I saw the cover, I absolutely loved it. I think I may have welled up and I know I got butterflies. It took the 'concept' from my dream and made it absolutely gorgeous. And my name on a New York street sign? How could I not love that?!

"The only change I suggested was to add the antenna to the top of the building, and they did!

"I don't think I could love the cover more. I love the front and the back and the spine and the debossed gold windows. It's perfect. And, yes, it's perfect for the book too, I think -- the Empire State Building is central to the story so I think it's right that it's on the cover."

Thanks, Keris! There she is holding the actual book and showing off the super shine, which is perfect for the streets of Manhattan!

What do you guys think?

Cover Stories: Della Says: OMG! by Keris Stainton

Keris Stainton's May novel has a cover that is filled with chat! I had to ask her how it came about. "The original title was Della Says: OMG! WTF? I wasn't a fan of this title and, as it turned out, neither were the retailers, so the WTF was dropped. Oddly enough--considering how opinionated I am about other people's covers--I didn't have an idea for mine. It took me such a long time to even realize it would be getting a cover (doh!) and then, once I realized that, I couldn't even begin to picture it.

"My editor asked me if I had any ideas and I said, 'Oh no... I'm sure it'll be fine,' and she looked startled. But my mind was completely blank.

"When I first saw my cover, I was horrified. As it turned out, it was just a 'cover concept,' but still. It was so PINK. And while I love pink it just didn't work for me. It looked like a textbook rather than a novel (right).

"My editor let me make comments. I'm a bit worried about sounding like Joey from 'Friends,' but the IM chat in the background was my idea.

"Now, I actually really love the cover. I love the pink and the green and I like the chat in the background and even the two colour spine. I particularly loved that it was mainly black. I was excited because there were hardly any black covers and I thought it would stand out.

"Of course, that was before all the vampire books appeared..."

Thanks, Keris! I definitely prefer the slick black final to the pink mockup, and I also think dropping WTF from the title was the right move (see the cover with WTF below). What do you guys think of these covers?