05 August 2010

What do Editors Do All Day, Part 3 - Wrangling the Cover

Behold! The third in our occasional series What Do Editors Do All Day. If you'd like a recap, please see Part 1 - Copy-editing and Part 2 - Structural Editing.

So we've talked about making the insides of a book - but what about the outsides? The cover. That bit we all judge it by.
We are very fortunate to work with many brilliantly talented designers who consistently make us look good. They decipher what it is we want, translate it into something better than we ever imagined, cheerfully put up with us making demands and changing our minds, and give our books the best chance to make their way in the world.

But getting to the right cover is not always simple. On any given day in the House of Onion you will find editors involved in the process of shepherding a cover from initial idea to finished design.

Here's how we do it:


















PS Our thanks to Cheezburger, and to Pop Suede - for vampior.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

You guys... I just almost died laughing. My funny-bone, it hurts from all the tickling. Lisa W needs to see this IMMEDIATELY!

A latte beckons said...

Author wantz cute pussy cat on her next cover pleeez...

Oh and I'll have a drop of that adult beverage while you're there!

Anonymous said...

Hilaaaaariiiious! LOL times ten. J-WI

sophie said...

Do you really offer to pash your designers?

Miss Cackle said...

And the end result is ... AWESOME!

Katia Nizic said...

I loved the mix of educational info and a portrayal of the true emotional experience one goes through when developing a cover. Also, who doesn't love lolcats?

thaliak said...

lolcat in step 10 is awesome.

Andyroflz said...

Editor cat says:
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/01/07/funny-pictures-changes-i-can-always-edit-your-face/

Lucia Nardo said...

Fun way to learn about the process. thanks guys!