Cover Reveal
When people hear I’m a hybrid author—both independently and traditionally published—one of the first things they want to know is what is the difference. And the biggest difference, I tell them, is control.
Nowhere is that more evident than in covers. As an indie author, I can choose my cover artist and work with them until I have exactly the cover I want. As a traditionally published author, I fill out my wish list and then hope that the cover designer they choose listens to me. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. Their decisions are based purely on marketing, and if they don’t think what I want will sell, then they don’t listen.
Case in point? My newest cover from Harlequin. It’s the second book in my Matchmaker Matchmaker series, the first one being Falling for the Rabbi. I loved that cover. It was colorful, it had “rabbi” on the cover. Chef’s kiss.
This second book? My original title was Hometown Crush. It takes place during Hanukkah and is about two people who are on opposite sides in a fight to save the ice rink or shut it down and make room for high-rise apartments. I sent my title, along with other suggestions, my manuscript, and the art cover sheet with my desires to my editors, knowing full well it’s all in their control. This is what they came back with.
Don’t get me wrong. The cover is adorable. It piggybacks on the cartoon cover trend, the ice hockey trend, and the holiday trend. From a marketing standpoint, it should be a win. But unless you read the back cover blurb, you have no idea this is a Hanukkah book. And after Harlequin’s choice of putting “rabbi” on the first cover, I’m a little disappointed. My obsessive personality also doesn’t love that the two books don’t “match” cover-wise.
I can’t say I dislike it, because I don’t—although that title is a mouthful! I think it will totally appeal to readers. I just wish it was more Hanukkah-themed.
However, I remain grateful to Harlequin for continuing to publish and request my Jewish stories. Inside the cover—you know, the actual story—is tons of Jewy goodness. It is, after all, a Hanukkah story. The heroine is Samantha, whom readers met in Falling for the Rabbi. I had a great time redeeming her. It still gives off warm hugs and Hallmark-y vibes—with spice! So overall, it’s a win.
I just have to accept that sometimes, a lack of control is going to give me a cover that I wouldn’t personally have chosen. But who knows, maybe this will be the readers’ favorite.
An author can dream, right?
I too am a bit disappointed. I don’t mind the approach—I love the style actually though it does not go with the first book for sure—but as someone very familiar with the Jewish themes of the book, I feel like someone buried the lede.
Jen, the cover is adorable, and let me play devil’s advocate for a sec… you may get to reach some readers who might not have picked up a Hanukkah book! They might have thought, “But I’m not Jewish.” But once they start reading this book, they’ll get sucked in, and they’ll be really glad they got surprised that this was a Hanukkah book. Maybe they’ll learn something. Maybe they’ll become more familiar and comfortable with Jewish culture and religious practices. And maybe that small change will make the world a better place. Anyways, I’m excited to see what this cute little Hanukkah book can do!