The Cover Fairy by Roberta Isleib

In spite of the language in my contracts (author consultation--translation: what we say is pretty much what you get), I feel very lucky with my book covers so far. As my agent would put it, the cover fairy has been good to me!

In my golf lover's mystery series, the artists produced gorgeous golf course related scenes (all very green of course) with just the right hint of murder. My favorite was probably the fifth and final, for FINAL FORE. Note the very spooky shadows cast by the bushes around the green...

My second series took place in the towns surrounding my hometown on the shoreline of Connecticut. I had a definite idea of what I thought should be on the first cover: a photo of an abandoned house on a spit of beach near Guilford, Connecticut (which I now use as the header for my website.) I thought it would provide just the right touch of wistfulness, and that would suit my character, a single, somewhat lonely psychologist.

Instead, my editor sent me a file containing a set of orange polka-dotted curtains pulled away from a desk holding tea, a computer, and a cat. And in the background sat what appeared to be a kitty litter box.

"I love the way they pumped up the orange. Don't you just love it?" my editor chirped.

Which we all know is publisher speak for "hope you do because it's in the can." So I pointed out the litter box misunderstanding (which I learned was intended to be an ambulance), and made noises of approval. And I grew quite fond of that orange...

Now I've finally sold a third series which will be set in Key West. I'm going to have so much fun with this! I can picture the palm trees, the sunset over Mallory Square, the lapping blue water, the key lime pie.

But wait a minute, since when has the art department taken direction from ME? (deep yoga breath here) Okay, if they send me dancing key lime pies instead the scenes I've pictured, I'll have to trust that cover fairy knows what she's doing!
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