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Bonus Cover Stories: The Lost Sister by Megan Kelley Hall
I did a Cover Story with Megan Kelley Hall almost exactly a year ago when SISTERS OF MISERY (left) came out where she talked about her hopes for the second book. And now that book is hitting shelves. So she's back to talk about the cover of THE LOST SISTER! Here's Megan:
"I was so lucky with my first cover. It was amazing, beautiful, intriguing. I actually think I made a lot of sales just on the cover alone. So the bar was set pretty high. I really wanted something similar to my first cover, but when I first saw the design for THE LOST SISTER, I was upset. Nothing could ever live up to that first one.
"I had sent along some mockups of covers (left and right) that I liked. I even found a French website that had these amazing pictures and contacted the girl to see if we could use her pics. She agreed, but my publisher had already purchased the stock photo and didn't want to budge.
"I didn't like the cover (right) when I saw it. I thought it was way too orange and washed out and I didn't like looking up the girl's nose, and I thought it was strange that they picked a girl who looked nothing like the girl on SISTERS OF MISERY.
"I made a LOT of suggestions. Unfortunately, my editor's hands were tied. She was definitely on my side and was pulling for me, but it was a bit of an uphill battle.
"The art department darkened it to make it spookier. I asked them to crop it down a bit, just so you couldn't see up the girl's nose, but they didn't do it. In the end, the darker cover stands out a lot more than the original washed out version:
"I like it. Not in love with it. It's kind of a sore subject for me still."
You know, sometimes authors are unhappy with their covers. It's hard to talk about publicly, so thanks, Megan, for being honest. Still, though I prefer the Sisters of Misery cover, I like this new one. It's soft and her lightness contrasts the gray background (I'm glad they darkened it).
What do you guys think?
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Comments (9)
That's a disappointment. It's not a bad cover. But I agree, I don't like how the girl's nose is so predominant in the cover.
Posted by Diana Dang | August 13, 2009 12:03 PM
The darker cover is much better, and not just because of the color, but also the graphics are better. Don't even notice the girl's nose, Megan, but maybe I would if it were my cover. So far, I love all my covers. But none of them have noses! Congratulations!
Posted by Ellen Hopkins | August 13, 2009 12:05 PM
I personally quite like it - though the cover for the first book is far superior!
Posted by lenore | August 13, 2009 12:08 PM
I actually think the cover looks okay but probably it won't be something I will drool over. The left mock cover actually attracts me more.
Posted by Thao | August 13, 2009 12:18 PM
I like it - but I'm with her. The first one was fantastic. It's hard living up to that cover, I'm sure.
Posted by Lauren | August 13, 2009 12:24 PM
I like it and actually thinks she does look a little like the girl from the first cover. I agree though, the overall cover is better on the first book in the series. Maybe the next one will go back to being more like the first. :)
Posted by Amee | August 13, 2009 1:56 PM
I like it also, but the Sister's of Misery is so much better. If I saw both of these on a shelf, I'd grab SOM, hands down.
Posted by Leann | August 13, 2009 2:45 PM
I agree that it looks much better with the dark background. It makes a nice contrast - since she is so bright. I don't think it's majorly looking up her nose, either. Haha. It gives off a cool chiller vibe. I like it.
Posted by Ashley | August 13, 2009 11:47 PM
I love it. I know it's too orange, but I love Orange so this cover definitely is very attractive to me.
Posted by Violet | August 14, 2009 4:50 AM