Ember Release Day! Carol Oates Talks Book Cover

This is a new Young Adult paranormal romance series by author Carol Oates.

We’d like to thank Carol for being a guest and talking about her new book Ember and it’s gorgeous cover!

I was fortunate to have a little input on the cover for Ember. I had very specific ideas for the look of this novel. Like most authors, the final decision is not mine. Usually the publisher decides based on what will appeal to the reader and what the author wants isn’t paramount.

I knew I could trust my publisher to come up with something beautiful but was delighted when I was asked for my thoughts. I suggested two basic images. One was to have an image of a girl who would fit the description of Candra, one of the central characters. The other image was a butterfly in the rain. I also explained my reasons for each suggestion. I couldn’t have imagined the final cover would fit so perfectly and even surpass what I saw in my head.

I realize a butterfly for a novel with angels is not the most obvious choice. That’s precisely why I like the idea. So, to explain the meaning behind the cover…

The butterfly is Candra, a young woman on the verge of a new life away from where she grew up in a metropolis called Acheron. She has agreed to remain a final year to attend a private school before college. Her life is about to change dramatically as she is forced to confront secrets from her families past and her part in a treaty she knew nothing about. The butterfly represents her growth and development during the story. On the cover the butterfly is in vibrant color compared to the background. This represents the almost iconic nature of this character to others in Acheron. She is a singular entity in this book, standing out from everything and everyone around her.

The butterfly is resting on a female hand. That is the hand of Brie, Candra’s step-mother. In the opening pages Brie is introduced as an over-protective and slightly over-baring but loving mother figure. Their relationship is described as happy and comfortable for the most part.

In the image the rain is always there in the background, an ever present threat to the butterfly. A butterflies wings won’t work if they are caught in the rain, if the rain is heavy enough it can kill. Candra’s situation is precarious. If she makes the wrong decisions, it would be the equivalent of a butterfly caught in the rain.

Read an excerpt from Ember here.