The Mock Up–First Try:
The cover you see at left (or above) is the “mock up” I received from my publisher on September 7, 2024–eleven months before the book’s projected release date.
Beautiful, right?
I loved it. However, as the author, I’ve formed a picture in my mind of “Maakah,” and I’ve described her in great detail in my book. So it’s important to me (and to many of my readers) that the characters represented on the cover match the descriptions in the story.
Is Maakah’s Physical Description in the Bible?
Every description of Maakah in my book is fiction because the Bible gives us no specific information about her appearance. We do know, however, that she eventually gave birth to David’s son, Absalom. Do you remember how Scripture describes David’s third-born prince?
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard. 2 Samuel 14:25–26
How Do I Describe Maakah in the Story?
My fictional description of Maakah in Noble: The Story of Maakah is built on Absalom’s inheritance of his mother’s stunning beauty and remarkable hair. Several times throughout the story, I mention Maakah’s ebony curls, hair that hangs in ringlets, and dividing her heavy hair into three stalks to make a single braid she wore over one shoulder.
I also gave Maakah “gray-blue” eyes–the color of Yam Kinneret (Sea of Galilee)–since she was from Geshur, a nation north of Israel. Geshur was one of the Aramean kingdoms and near Haran, the hometown of Jacob’s wives–Leah and Rachel. Many biblical scholars believe Leah’s “weak eyes” (Gen. 29:17) were simply light colored but considered “weak” among the more common darker brown.
Who Decides On the Final Cover?
Thankfully, with the main three publishing houses I’ve worked with (Revell, WaterBrook, and now Bethany), they’ve all been very gracious to give me some input on the covers of my books. In the contracts most authors sign with the publisher, they don’t have to give authors any input at all. However, my publishers have always valued a collaborative working relationship, and for that, I’m so very grateful!
So, What Changes Did I Request?
- Because I’ve always imagined Absalom’s hair as raven black and hanging in tightly curled ringlets all over his head–I asked if the cover designer could adjust her hair from the soft waves to tighter curls.
- On the mock-up, the man in background is wearing a long robe and gives the impression of an older gentleman. Maybe a shepherd? I asked if the designer intended that man to be David–and she did. So, I asked if we could give him a short robe, more muscles, and some weapons. Make him more of a swoon-worthy hero in the shadows.
Here’s The Final!
I LOVE IT!!! Don’t you? Be sure to click on the photo and magnify it so you can see the awesome details! The designer did a magnificent job–truly. This is the woman in my head!
And look at how beautifully it complements Book #1 in the King David’s Brides series–Brave: The Story of Ahinoam.
I’m so very proud of Bethany’s design team because they’ve made every effort to be sure that what you see on the outside brings special meaning to the things you read inside! Kudos to all involved!
Do You Judge a Book By It’s Cover?
Maybe you see a great cover and immediately put that book in your cart, confident the story inside will be just as good. Or does it take more than a pretty cover to get you to purchase a book? Do you also need to see the back cover description? Here’s a preview of King David’s third bride, Princess Maakah, and how her story unfolds…
Back Cover Copy
Princess Maakah of Geshur is duty-bound to create a political alliance for her father through marriage. The cancellation by King Saul of her betrothal to his fourth-born son compels Maakah’s father to arrange an unexpected marriage to the rebel, David ben Jesse, a shepherd-warrior anointed years earlier as Israel’s future king. Taken aback by stories of David’s fierceness and lowly birth, Maakah considers the match a degrading fate but obeys her father’s wishes out of duty as her nation’s only heir.
While alliances shift and enemies loom, Maakah navigates the delicate balance between her noble heritage and her growing respect for David’s faith and leadership. When David and his army move to Hebron, and he becomes king over Judah, Maakah faces prejudice and suspicion from David’s home tribe. In a land torn by war and divided loyalties, she must choose where her allegiance lies: with her people and heritage, or with the extraordinary destiny alongside David that beckons from within. Through Maakah’s lens of nobility, courage, and love, Mesu Andrews skillfully presents a biblical tale of King David and his royal household.
Which Are You–Cover or Description Buyer?
Some folks are caught by the first impression of the cover. Others must read the back cover and sometimes even take time to read the prologue or first chapter before sacrificing both money and valuable time to purchase a 300-400 page novel.
What about you? Have you ever bought a book simply because of its fantastic cover? Or do you need to know the substance of the story before you make the buy? Let me know in the comment section below!
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Comments 16
I always judge a book by the description and any other information I can gather. I usually read the back cover, the blurb inside the front cover (if there is one), and the writer’s notes at the back of the book before I decide the book is something I want to read.
Author
Oooooh, good to know, Joanne! I sometimes have spoilers in my back-of-the-book Author’s Note, so you’re telling me I should probably at least warn readers there might be spoilers back there! Good thing to know! Thank you!
I look for authors whose books I have read before, then look at the book cover and the back cover. Rarely do I buy a book that I know nothing about.
This cover looks very interesting. And the back cover caught my interest. I will look forward to reading Noble when it is published!
Author
Hooray! I’m so glad it caught your interest. That means my editorial, publicity, sales, and marketing have given me good council so far on packaging! Well done, Bethany House Publishers! They get things right most of the time (which is why I listen to their opinions!).
The title and cover picture catch my eye, of course. I would not buy a book by looking at a cover. I am a person that does a little research by reading the back cover and also read a few reviews on the book that have been left by others. This book looks very interesting! I look forward to reading it when it comes out!
Author
Hooray, Sherri! I’m glad the back cover intrigued you. I’m similar to you in that I ALWAYS read the back cover and a little bit past the first page to see if the beginning resonates with me.
I buy based on back cover description, author, and what I know about the book.
Author
All three–good and thorough. I would have guessed that of my best proofreader! LOL!
A Good Cover Always catches my eye. I also read what the book is about and then decide if I want to read it. A bad or cartoonish cover doesn’t get my attention !!! I believe that if you’ve invested the time to write a Great book worth reading that you’ll Care About The Cover, I WOULD !!!
Author
So true, Lorenia. I’ve also found the cover can make or break sales. Great point!
I’m often intrigued by the book synopsis before a cover is even released, since I follow my most trusted and favorite authors so closely. However, I do greatly appreciate a cover that appropriately reflects the care the author invested in creating the story.
Author
I love that you follow your fav authors so closely–and that I know you by name, my friend. I’m honored. ❤️
Oh my! I love it. I am a cover snob I guess. If I don’t like the cover I usually won’t even pick it up unless someone has specifically told me it’s good. Now if it’s an author I love I would read it anyway. I highly dislike some of the fake people covers that some of the authors have come out with in the last year or two. That doesn’t mean I won’t ever read them but so far my very favorite authors still use real people and real scenes for their covers. As long as you keep writing Mesu I will keep buying.
Author
I have to agree with you on the more recent cartoonish covers; however, those are VERY POPULAR among the 20-35 year-old readers, especially in certain genres (like romantic comedies). They definitely wouldn’t work for my historical biblical fiction readers.
When will the soft cover be available of the new book The Noble?
Author
I’m hoping for August, but we’re holding rather loosely to that date.