How Was the Cover For My Latest Novel Chosen?

Behind the Scenes With "Vera, Or Faith."

People often ask me, “Jerry,” they always get my name wrong, “how do you choose the covers for your books?” Great question! Let me take you behind the scenes of how we chose the cover for Vera, Or Faith, coming on July 8th to a bookstore near you.

First, I’m lucky. I have the great designer Rordrigo Corral working on some of my most iconic covers, such as the many circles of Super Sad True Love Story that ended up being quite imitated.

Second, my agent, editor, publicist, pretty much everyone at Random House has really great taste. I also rely on my friends, one of whom actually works as a graphic designer (thanks, Christine Lee!).

So with Vera we have a novel with a third-person narration very close to a ten-year-old girl. It’s obvious that she should be the star of the show. Here’s one idea from Rodrigo.

That is actually pretty cool! The different colors really sing and I love the incorporation of Vera into the “O.” This is also the Vera that ended up in the final cover with her cute little uniform (in the novel, she has to wear a uniform to school which she hates). But maybe just too many colors, a little too vibrant for a book that, while funny, is also set in an even scarier version of America than the one we presently inhabit (though give it a few months).

Ok, this one is pretty cool too, and is taken from several scenes in the book where Vera ends up in a self-driving car. That’s kinda awesome, but Vera is pretty precocious and that sun and general drawing style is maybe a little too young for her old-soul personality.

Vera’s (very absent) dad calls her Doxie a lot because she’s kind of tubular like a dachshund. Since doxies are my favorite dogs I was of course all into this. But the same “sun” and more childlike drawing problem remained for me.

Having mentioned my love of dachshunds, yeah, I was and still am all into this. This might be my second favorite cover. But a girl-dog might be a little too weird for some readers.

Simple and cool! Love this one. The only thing is that Vera doesn’t exactly stick her tongue out. She doesn’t tease. If anything, she’s super anxious and self-conscious. So this felt not exactly on brand for her. But, damn, I love these colors.

Wow, this is a whole different concept, right? I’m pretty taken with the grass but loved the graphic ones too much for a greener substitute.

Okay, getting closer. Love the idea of Vera kind of being tied in knots by both the craziness of her family and the country around her. Not loving the tongue and want more color!

Et viola! Perfection! Great mix of color, Vera’s red uniform stands out, and her dachshund qualities are present without being too on the nose. Thank you, Rodrigo, for another excellent cover!