The Thrill of Cover Art

First, let me say Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Spring! I love the renewal of nature each spring (despite the pollen's attack on my allergies!)

In other news...I know other authors have used this blog to discuss their experiences with seeing their cover art for the first time. But I hope you'll indulge me as I croon, because last weekend, I saw the preliminary cover for my September release, HEALING LUKE. It's beautiful!
I know every parent says their baby is beautiful, but to be honest, I've had covers in the past that left me cold. Not so with HEALING LUKE. The artists at Sourcebooks found beach scenes that set a poignant and romantic mood while still featuring their trademark hunk chest (although Luke's is less prominent, and you'll understand why once you've read the book.)
It is hard to put into words how it feels to see for the first time the cover art for a book whose characters, plot and setting you created, lived with, cried and sweated over. (What? But you're a writer! Words are your life!) After investing so much of yourself to produce your book, which relies so largely on imagination, on the images in your own head, to see a visual rendition of your setting or characters, even just an artistic image that portrays the mood of your story.... is priceless. And when the cover artists hit the nail on the head? Magic!

Here's a sneak peek. What do you think?

I can't wait to share more of my journey leading to the publication of HEALING LUKE this September. Stay tuned!

Beth Cornelison

www.bethcornelison.com