Blog Tour: Jill S. Alexander Cover Interview and Giveaway!

I'm excited to welcome the fantastic Jill S. Alexander to my blog today! She is here as part of her blog tour, this time to discuss her covers!

1. The cover of your debut (The Sweetheart of Prosper County) and your sophomore novel (Paradise) are quite a bit different. Did the same designer work on them? And did you have any input on them before they were finalized?

This is such a great question, and one I’ve never been asked. Like most authors, I have little or no input on covers. The art director is Rich Deas, and he’s amazing. On both covers, I received an email of the cover image and responded with my thoughts – even though the decision had already been made. I loved the Sweetheart covers (both hardback and paperback). However the first image sent to me for Paradise caused some concern. I can’t share the image, but the girl and boy were much older. I did not feel they reflected the characters in the book. My agent and I expressed our concerns, and my fantastic editor and Rich, the art director, came up with the cover you see today.

2. Were cover models used for Paradise’s cover or was a stock image selected? Do you think the cover suits the book?

The PARADISE cover is a stock image. I do think it suits the book. It’s very swoon-y, and the girl is Paisley perfect. I also love that it captures a moment of hesitation.

3. The Sweetheart of Prosper County’s cover changed quite a bit from hardcover to paperback. What made your publisher decide to do that? And which version do you like better? Do you think one appeals to teen readers?

SWEETHEART’s hardback cover (the rooster) is fun and whimsical but is more of an intellectual cover – it requires some interpretation. The paperback with the girl rockin’ the hat is less interpretive. You can look at that image and know that it’s a story about a small town girl. The more straightforward cover is probably better for impulse buying at a bookstore. I’m sure that factored into the publisher’s decision to make a change. At school visits, teen readers tell me they prefer the paperback cover with the girl on it. Which do you prefer?

4. If you could have any other image on your cover then the couple currently being used, what would you choose?

One of the things I adore about my publisher, Feiwel & Friends, is that they believe in attention to design detail – both inside and out. When folks buy the hardback, they will find beautiful images on the inside – one of which is a girl with drumsticks in her back pocket. I’d probably put that on the cover if we weren’t going with the kissy couple.

5. You are lucky to have two fantastic covers that really stand out. What are some of your favorite covers?

Thanks so much. I do feel really blessed with fantastic covers. However, there are really some terrific covers in YA fiction. I LOVE the cover for Sara Zarr’s newest novel HOW TO SAVE A LIFE. (Anxious to read that one!). And I have to say; Andrew Smith’s novel STICK, which comes out this fall with my same publisher, has a powerful cover that captures the strength of the novel. Those two covers really stand out to me.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

I also have a signed hardcover of Paradise to giveaway to one lucky winner.

Fill out THIS FORM to be entered!

US Only. Ends July 13th.