In my last post I revealed a cover for my latest novel Not By Design.
Many of you took the time to comment positively about the cover and with all my heart – THANK YOU!
In the midst of this ego boost I received an e-mail from Debby at D.G.Kaye who offered a different opinion, pointing out that my cover, although appealing, did not “go with” my brand.
The photo doesn’t give me an immediate feel for what the book is about. And the title should be in stronger font and stand out more, like your other books. Maybe like your Finding Mr. Right book, so it stands out and follows the branding of the previous book?
I literary struggled with the decision to change the cover of my book. At first I tried to take the easy way out and just go ahead with the status quo. Also because so many of you wrote such lovely comments about the cover I didn’t want to take the risk of offending you by changing it. Besides, I too liked the cover.
I admire Debby’s work and that she has read all my previous books in my Getting To Mr. Right Series added clout to her critique. Plus, there was this annoying tiny voice nudging me to pay attention.
As these things so often happen, Jenny Nash’s weekly post was on getting advice. An interesting article worth reading, as Jenny’s articles are, but what particularly stuck with me were these words:
Most important of all, don’t lose sight of your own heart. When you get advice, weigh it against what you think. Does it ring true to you? Does it strike a nerve? Can you see how incorporating it will make your work more clear, more logical, and more whole? If yes, then by all means, take the advice.
Debby’s advice did strike a nerve that I couldn’t ignore, especially what she said about branding.
What did I know about branding except nothing. Then, I came across a tutorial on branding which you can find here.
If I was to be honest with myself I had to admit that my current cover, as eye-catching as it was, was not the right fit for my Getting To Mr. Right series. It just didn’t go with the other covers. Something I should have thought about beforehand. But honestly, I hadn’t at all considered branding.
As hard as it was for me to let go of the “old” cover, I had to do it.
The cover I’ve ended up choosing is more faithful to the character’s spirit and, hopefully, more in tune with the other books in this series.
In a life turned upside down, Felicity finds joy is sometimes just around the corner.
Ever since she first appeared in Getting To Mr. Right, Felicity Starr has been struggling to find her own kind of contentment. Now, at thirty-five and living in Rome, Felicity is about to break into the world of fashion design, and caught in a flurry of plans for her wedding when calamity strikes.
Her father’s sudden death brings into question the whole meaning of success. Then Marco, the man she’s about to marry, leaves her when he learns of her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
Forced to return to Montreal, Felicity finds her life thrust into unexpected turns. As she confronts the on-going challenges presented by her disease, she gains the strength to let go of old beliefs and face her inner truths.
Love, friendship and rewarding work come in different forms and Felicity finds it all in ways she never imagined – in a life that’s not by design.
Buy Not By Design – A Getting To Mr. Right Series
Carol Balawyder 
I really respect you, Carol, for doing what’s best for your books. The cover looks absolutely fantastic, and it does fit your voice.
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Thanks, Margot…I spent a few restless nights over this.
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Carol, I like the cover. Glad you listened to advice and your inner self on the branding! Important to be consistent for marketing. Congrats on your book success! Elizabeth
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Thank you…It feels good to hear comments like yours. 🙂
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Hi Carol, Love the new look! 🙂
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Thanks, Joanne…:)
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Oh Carol, I’m humbled. You are so right. We shouldn’t be persuaded by people’s opinions, although we always welcome them to help us give us a sense of feel. That was why I emailed you privately because I wanted to offer a constructive suggestion without making anyone think I was being negative. Now, I have to say, I feel it’s your book! Love your name in the same yellow and the bolder title. Brava! And I’m so glad if I gave you the tiniest nudge. 🙂
I’m looking forward to your new book! ❤
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Thanks, Debby…Thanks for being YOU!
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❤
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It’s great to have a lot of people giving you their thoughts on a subject, but you’re right, after you weigh the suggestions carefully, you have to “go with your gut” and make a decision that will make you happy.
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What really matters though is what’s inside the cover. Thanks for your comment, Anneli. It’s always appreciated. 🙂
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That’s so true, and our challenge is to get people to look beyond the cover.
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Hi Carol, I read to where the sample ended. It’s a great read. I like the cover, too – but not sure whether it’s the new or the old one. Safe travels to Florida, and hope you have a fun time celebrating your sister’s bd. See you soon. SR
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Good advice and it is important to keep the branding the same and that people are familiar with your work and covers. I love both. It’s a very hard decision, hope you can rest now and let the universe do the rest! 🙂
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Very good advice to let the universe do the rest…Thanks, Karen. 🙂
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Well done you….it takes a lot to make a change when something is already ‘completed’ – however as I belief very strongly that an image speaks a 1000 words or more……it is vital to get it right and most important for you to feel that it’s right in your heart. have a wonderful day…Janet. :)x
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Thanks, Janet…I really liked the first cover more in that it had a sense of mystery to it…it had more of a feeling to it but I also felt that it didn’t go with the series. I’ll save it for another book, perhaps. Have a wonderful day. 🙂 x
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File it away in your creative library….and voila – one day the purpose for its use will be revealed.:)x
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Nice choice for the cover, Carol 🙂 I can imagine it wasn’t easy. Personally, I prefer the first one, but only as a separate entity. This one works better as part of the series. All in all, I think you made the right decision. Good luck!
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I also prefer the first one, as you said, as an entity. It was more eye-catching, I think and had an ambiguity to it which the second one doesn’t have. It’s still in my file that I might use for one of my crime novels. Thanks, Ana, for being here. It’s much appreciated. 🙂
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It was exactly that sense of mystery that made the first cover more attractive for me too. I’m glad you’re thinking of using it for another book. 🙂
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It’s fabulous Carol and it doe work with the other covers, giving your books and therefore your brand a particular look.
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Thanks, Shey…:)
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I like both covers, but I agree–if something nags at you then it’s best revisited. Congrats on the new release! Just downloaded my copy. 🙂
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Thanks, Carrie…I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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I’m sure I will. 🙂
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Had to stop by and let you know I started your book over the lunch hour. I wanted something quick and light after reading heavier things as of late. Am a third of the way through and loving it! It’s a quick read, but there’s also a lot of depth to it, particularly with the symptoms Felicity is developing. Nicely written. 🙂 (And oh, how I want to go to Rome now!)
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Oh, Carrie, you are so quick! I’m so happy that you’re “loving it.” Don’t we, as writers like to hear those two words.
Rome is a pretty wonderful place…all of Italy for that matter. 🙂
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It came at the right time. I’m working my way through Stephen King’s new short story collection, and I wanted a change of pace. I saw your book is relatively short so it fit the bill. Already a third of the way through. 🙂
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Carrie…you are such a great blogging buddy! 🙂
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You are too. 🙂
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This is very interesting. I think the new cover is striking, very good, fits with your brand and is the right decision. What is so interesting is that different kinds of books appeal to different people and your previous cover looked more like the kind of book I like, but would have been misleading as the dating scene just doesn’t happen to be where my reading lies at the moment.
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Hilary, you have hit it right on the nose and that’s exactly why I changed the cover. Thanks. 🙂
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I have to say, I really like the new cover. She looks like a gal I could hang out with, enjoy time with. I’ve had times where I got advice that was contrary to what I thought was right or others recommended. Sometimes, there’s a tiny something that resonates inside me, strikes a feeling that was there all along but hidden–that I know it’s the right move. Sounds like that’s what happened here.
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Thanks for saying, Jacqui. 🙂
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Carol, great that you got such sound advice from a real pro. It’s always tough but you have to go for what is right for you and nobody on here would ever feel offended. I did like the other one but seeing this one, it is stronger and I can see how it fits with your brand – so happy it’s worked out for you.
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The new cover is definitely the right one. Glad you changed it.
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Going with how you feel about your story and the colors you feel fit the story are important. Along with making the series look like a “set” all led you here to this very compelling and brightly colored book cover. It is very current and fabulous, Carol.
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Thanks so very much, Robin. You’re so sweet. 🙂
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All your covers are great.
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