Come view my guest post at Marta’s Meandering about the importance of a good cover.

“It’s All in the Design

I have said it once and I will say it again: the worth and value of a book is in its stickiness.

So how do you create that stickiness? That human emotion that connects you to a book, it’s plot, the characters, and makes you recall the book over and over again long after you are done reading. Think of it much like a human being. The design is the body of the book; its soul is the actual content. There are many functions of a book cover: engage a possible buyer, convey something about the story, and leave the viewer wanting more. Authors, especially if they are new, tend to distance themselves from discussions about the cover of their books. Most believe that since they are not artistic, they should not get involved. Some are simply overwhelmed. The thing to remember is that you don’t have to be creatively inclined to have an opinion about a book cover. It is your product. If you created the content, you have a say on the cover. You will be surprised to find how willing publishers are to hear your side. Be explicit in your suggestions: start with images, elements, colors, and go all the way to typography. Bring in examples of styles that resonate with you. You’re not asking the designer to copy the idea; just to get a sense of what works for you. Don’t wait for that first draft to come in before you offer your suggestions. Being a designer, I know how frustrating it is when new ideas are brought forth at the time of design approval.

No one understands the importance of the right cover better than children’s author Cynthia Leitich Smith. According to her if your book is for teaching purpose, an accurate/plausible cover is key to the school-library market. “My first three books were related to my Indian (Mvskoke-Cherokee) heritage, and so the publisher consulted with me,” she says. Renowned young adult author Lila Guzman has always been consulted on the cover of her books. “My publisher sends the cover art to me probably because they are concerned about getting the Revolutionary War setting correct,” she says. “For Turncoat, they had my character in a Continental Army uniform when he was in the Spanish Army. It was easy to flip the blue and white, but I cringe to think of the reviews we might have received had they had the wrong uniform colors.”

The visual connection readers make with the book is much like a guy meeting a girl for the first time. It could be a lasting relationship or a fleeting one. I designed the cover of both of my books but I had the backing of 15 years of design experience to venture in that area. For those with small publishers or self-publishing their book, make that wise investment and get a professional to design your cover. After all it is the face of your work. Remember, a book is judged by its cover, no matter what anyone says.”

Also the Epic Rat is giving away Saffron Dreams and Cecilia, the blog owner, has posted several excerpts of the novel to engage the readers. Take a look at the review. If you would like to participate in the giveaway, enter your comments here. So far 39 people are competing for the book. Last day to enter is March 31. Good luck!

I will be a guest of Marta’s Meanderings for the next three days. Marta, who runs a popular book blog, sent me this nice note after she was done reading Saffron Dreams:

“I’ve just finished your book and can’t wait for your stop at my blog Marta‘s Meanderings. Your book is stunning! I don’t know any other way to describe it. I think you’ve explored an entire side of the 9/11 events that most people have never looked at.”

Thanks, Marta. Read my interview on Marta’s Meanderings

Read my in-depth interview with The Writer’s Life. We talked about my new novel Saffron Dreams, the joys and perils of publishing, writing habits, etc.

Remember, at every blog tour stop there are prizes. For those with comments and questions, I can be reached at shailaabdullah@gmail.com. If you mention The Writers Life interview, you will receive a free e-book called A Taste of Saffron, containing recipes of dishes mentioned in Saffron Dreams.

This was another fun piece to do.

Read the 10 Things People Don’t Know About Shaila Abdullah

Two fabulous reviews from two great reviewers. Please visit the sites below and post comments.

A Garden Carried in Your Pocket (Review Excerpt)
by Jenclair

This is a quiet book about loss and grief, about hope and commitment, about cultural differences, and about our common humanity. It is, above all, a success story in the sense that living, in spite of all its difficulties, is a worthy challenge.

Saffron Dreams addresses many serious problems (death of a loved one, prejudice, cultural differences, caring for a child with disabilities, and more), but in such a manner that allows us to see the ways human beings triumph over circumstances wrenched from their control and gradually find ways to re-adjust their dreams and move forward.

A beautifully written narrative that looks at the aftermath of Sept. 11 with a slightly different perspective, the book unfolds and blossoms with an unexpected tenderness while never denying the the myriad effects of tragedy.
(Full review)

Reader Views (Review Excerpt)
by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson

There are books that are beautiful simply because they are so positive and pleasant. And there are those that manage to be beautiful in spite of the pain and the suffering and the heartbreak contained within. Shaila Abdullah’s “Saffron Dreams” is both. Her writing is mesmerizing. On one hand it feels like a classically cut diamond – precise, sparkling, blindingly beautiful, but also incredibly sharp. On the other hand her writing reminds me of a dish I’ve often had traveling in India – a thali. Yes, I am very well aware of the fact that the author is Pakistani and not Indian, but many of the foods she mentioned in the book reminded me a lot of India, and that is probably why I thought of thali. Thali is usually a round metal tray with many compartments, each containing a different item, such as rice, dhal, different vegetables and curries, chutney, yoghurt and something sweet to finish. Each of those items complements or contrasts the others to perfection, and together they are some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. This is the way I feel about “Saffron Dreams.” It was comforting, it was funny, it was spicy; and then heartbreaking, full of despair, filled with hope, amazingly fresh and vibrant and satisfying. Following Arissa’s story makes the reader realize how little most of us know and understand the world of Muslims, and how incredibly wrong so many of our perceptions are.
(Full review)