Malinda Lo
Blog
Mar 24, 2009
Introducing the cover of ASH
After months of waiting for final approval from my publisher, I am so excited to show you all the cover of Ash! Behold its total gorgeousness:
Isn’t it spectacular? Sure, we all say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I know that a cover can make someone take notice and pick up a book. And I would definitely pick up a book with this cover (even if it was not written by me!).
It was designed by the talented Alison Impey, who has also designed the covers of Sara Zarr’s Sweethearts, Wendy Maas’ Every Soul a Star, Simon Holt’s The Devouring, Suzanne Phillips’ Burn, and the upcoming Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink.
In honor of the release of Ash‘s cover, I’ve asked Alison Impey a few questions about her design process.
Malinda Lo: When you begin conceptualizing a book cover, what sort of process do you follow?
Alison Impey: When I first read a manuscript, I’m immediately looking for imagery and moods that are specific and unique to the book. I try to focus on the themes that carry through the story. I usually read the manuscript once for the overall feeling of the book and a second time for finer details that I may have overlooked the first time. I then brainstorm a list of everything and anything that comes to mind. I usually try to keep the items on the list to single words, themes, adjectives, moods, etc. Then I start collecting imagery, anything from stock photos to magazine clippings. Once I’ve done that, I hone in on what’s most essential and most compelling.
I should mention that before this process, I briefly meet with the editor to ensure that I understand the audience and how we plan to position the book—is it a romance, a thriller, etc.—and also what the target age group and readership is that we’re trying to appeal to.
ML: When you were designing the cover for Ash, what did you want the cover to say?
AI: Elegance. It simply had to be beautiful, magical, and intriguing. It is after all a fairy tale. Sleep—or rather the shift in consciousness—seemed crucial to the way in which Ash experiences both the world she is born into and the fairy world that she is drawn to. At times, Ash herself seems to wonder how she got from the fairy world back to the bleak surroundings of her stepmother’s home. Ash’s belief in the fairy world and her ability to dream is what gives her strength, but it also makes her vulnerable to the cruelness of her stepmother. I wanted to capture that duality: strength and vulnerability.
ML: How did you find the image of the girl on the cover? Were there other images you discarded before choosing this one?
AI:I had begun searching for images that had to do with sleep. As my process above may suggest, I end up collecting a lot of imagery. Some covers see many, many variations and directions before a final decision is made, and in the wake of all the creative fury you’re usually left with many discarded designs and images.
The image that I found for Ash I had actually come across awhile back while searching for images for another title. It wasn’t at all appropriate for the title I was then working on, but I so loved the image that I held onto it, tucked away in a folder on my computer. I did not immediately think of it when I read Ash, but once I found myself searching for images of sleep I was ecstatic to find that I’d had the perfect image all along. It was in many ways one of those lovely, serendipitous moments that every so often graces a designer.
ML: It sounds like the cover for Ash came together pretty smoothly; there weren’t a lot of discarded attempts. Is that correct?
AI: Yes, the cover did come together smoothly. However, I did do a lot of variations of the cover before deciding on the current composition, type, color, etc. Early on I had a few other ideas going, and a number of different images I had considered.
ML: Do you think you have a particular style or aesthetic that goes into your book covers? If so, how would you describe it?
AI: That’s a tough one. I design a range of books from picture books to young adult novels. It is always important to be conscious of what’s right for the book and not impose a style just because it might be a personal aesthetic. However, I do believe we all develop certain aesthetics that find their way into a design. Like purple. It’s somewhat of a joke with some of my colleagues that I use purple a lot. But with that said, it’s important to continually push the boundaries and keep things fresh.
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Thank you, Alison, for giving Ash such a great look. What do you guys think of it?
I love the cover Malinda. It’s mesmerizing. I also look forward to requesting it from the local bookstore. I’m sure you’re estatic that it’s all coming together so beautifully.
Striking–almost haunting. I like the delicate look of the dress and silvery grass blades juxtaposed with the stark night scene in black and white. She looks vulnerable but not afraid. Lovely.
Glad you like it! I agree with your assessment — I think the image is just perfect for the character and the story.
Thanks, Eva — I look forward to you requesting it, too!
I am indeed ecstatic.
Hi Malinda. I’ve enjoyed reading your articles on afterellen.com (esp during the early years when you and Sarah were the meat/potatoes of the site) and recently, I have migrated over to your website, almost on a weekly basis now, to read-up on your blogs on food and writing. I’m very much anticipating the release of your book (I created a ticker on Outlook to remind me to pre-order for the Sept release.) The cover is lovely. I love how the specks in the dark background provides the dual imagery of a grassy field and stars shooting through the night. It’s as if the two images are floating together in blurred harmony while the young girl day dreams. Absolutely gorgeous.
Madison
Wow, that cover is fantastic. How very exciting. Seeing you name in big print on the bottom must make it all finally seem real. Congratulations!
Thanks, Madison! I never saw the shooting stars before, but that’s a wonderful interpretation. I clicked through to your website and Charitable Chef sounds like a great organization. I hope it’s going well!
Thanks for perusing through the website! We are getting more requests from charities than we can conceivably accomodate with our hectic schedule, but we are trying our best to fit everyone in. Plus, I recently applied for Top Chef, so I’m trying to restructure the company, and delegate some of the management responsibilities on the slim chance that I get selected. Yikes!
it’s breathtaking! thanks so much for
a great interview!!
Hi Malinda,
I just found out about your book today through AfterEllen, and I have to say, I’m just itching to read this! The cover has a simple, ethereal beauty to it. I absolutely love fractured fairy tales or children’s stories in general, and (with my own preferences taken into consideration) a lesbian retelling of Cinderella sounds extremely appealing, haha.
This September, I’ll be off to university to major in English–becoming a novelist has been a dream of mine since the second grade. (Albeit not necessarily my plans for a main source of income, at least not right away.) Being Asian-Canadian myself (America’s neighbor
), you are an inspiration to me! There aren’t many Asian authors in the Young Adult market. And from reading a few previous entries concerning Ash, I can completely relate your dilemma as to whether you should identify your characters with a certain ethnicity. In my own writing, my characters always have a vague, ambiguous racial background, probably due to my own struggle with my cultural background while growing up.
But yeah, I know I’ve gone off on a tangent here; what I really wanted to say is: you’ve greatly motivated me to continue to follow my dreams of becoming a novelist, and September can’t come soon enough!
Lush and lovely!
breath taking beautiful…is she hurt, no i don’t think so she’s torn but holds a strong feeling of love and pain…please let her live on.
The cover is alluring, downright to her bending feet. I am a little envies of those who already read the book. The Jewish new year is celebrated in September, so this would make a lovely gift.
Good luck with the Top Chef application! I love Top Chef.
It does finally seem real — and I got the advance reader copies last Friday, so that made it even more real!
Amy, thank you so much for your comment. You are very kind.
I do hope you pursue your dream to be a writer — don’t give up! We need more people writing from your perspective.
Hi Malinda
When I received your email update this morning with the headline, “Introducing the cover of ASH ” I was almost too scared to look. I suppose I had so many expectations of what it would look like, and how I hoped it would connect with me, that I didn’t want to be disappointed.
At first glance I was surprised (who knows what I expected?), then I started looking at it a little more, and now I can’t seem to stop looking at it. I keep trying to see if there are hidden images in the shadows and the way the blades of grass are placed. Its no doubt completely random but I am still searching for hidden images! The font is gorgeous too.
So, congratulations on the cover. I was interested to hear the artists’ reasoning behind her choices. I am wondering, do you get a say at all if you don’t like it?
So ARCs are out…any chance you have some extra copies lying around?
Thats ok, September is not tooooooo far away.
Cheers
Inger
You know how much I love this cover, Malinda! But what a great idea to interview Allison. She is one of THE most talented designers in publishing, imo. Aren’t we lucky to have her?
And thank you for including my cover in your article. You’re the best!
Ash = best cover ever!