Not Just Any Cover Will Do

“She is Hiawassee, isn’t she?” A friend said of the beautiful painting of the Native American girl, by artist Karen Noles, on the cover of my book, Hiawassee – Child of the Meadow. See the cover to the right in the side bar. The cover draws the reader to pick up the book; the words inside will prompt them to continue reading. At the Pow Wow last weekend, I sold out of Hiawassee before any of the other three titles I had taken. People wanted “that” book, although they could not read the back cover or hold it in their hand. The cover art is the first element of the book that tells the reader the book is worth their time and money. The cover is vitally important to the success of the book. Not just any cover will do.

 

 

The lovely cover for Christmases Past, a book of eight short stories from eight different authors, tells us the content with one glance. The weathered wood of the siding and window frame tells us that times were not always prosperous, yet it was clean and tidy. Though it’s cold outside, as represented by the slight frost on the pane, the warmth of the fire in hearth represents the presence life and love, shelter and security. The hand-hewn floor planks inside tells us of a simply way of life and yet, the presence of the Christmas tree lets the reader know that holidays were precious to those who went before us. It’s all there. It’s in the cover.

 

The first story, by Andrea Merrell, The Gift, is already on Amazon in Pre-order. My short story, Christmas Feathers, out the latter part of October, is the fifth short in the collection called Christmases Past. It’s the story of James and Rachel Bryson, my great-great-great grandparents, I first introduced in, Smoke from Distant Fires.

 

The stories will be released individually and then again later in the complete collection. Some have asked if a short story is worth $.99. In our fast-paced lives, an opportunity to read a faith-based story, and capture the entirety of the author’s heart within those well-crafted, carefully chosen words, for the price of one-third of a cup of latte, is a real blessing. Step inside the warmth of Christmases Past and enjoy a great story, dear readers!

Doris

Doris Gaines Rapp

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp