Podcast Summary: "Behind the Scenes of The Small and the Mighty, Episode 2"

Title: Behind the Scenes of The Small and the Mighty, Episode 2
Release Date: September 23, 2024
Host: Sharon McMahon
Guest: Craig Thompson
Platform: Acast

Introduction

In the second episode of "Behind the Scenes of The Small and the Mighty," host Sharon McMahon delves deep into the intricate process of designing the book cover for her latest work, "The Small and the Mighty." Joined by Craig Thompson, Sharon shares the challenges, iterations, and eventual triumphs she experienced in creating a cover that truly encapsulates the essence of her book.

The Journey to the Perfect Cover

Sharon’s Vision and Initial Challenges

Sharon begins by outlining her initial vision for the book cover. She emphasizes the need for a balance between historical nods and modern aesthetics.

[02:10] Sharon McMahon: "I wanted there to be both a nod to history, but also an element of modernity. I did not want it to look like a black and white portrait that was lifted from history and plonked on the cover."

Sharon explains her desire to avoid traditional, academic-looking covers often seen in historical books. Instead, she aimed for something vibrant and appealing, particularly to a modern audience.

The Role of Color

Color selection played a pivotal role in Sharon’s vision. She discusses her research into color psychology and its impact on book sales.

[06:30] Sharon McMahon: "Red is a very dominant color. You really see a red cover, right. And you can see in another part of my screen a lot of books are black or white. Yeah, a lot of them. And a surprisingly small number, green."

Despite her initial inclination towards blue, the final cover settled on a cream base with red and blue accents, striking a balance between visibility and emotional resonance.

Publisher Collaboration and Market Research

Sharon highlights the collaborative effort between her, her editor, and the publisher’s design team. They conducted extensive market research, including feedback from retail buyers, to ensure the cover would appeal to a broad audience.

[10:10] Sharon McMahon: "They actually did market research on potential covers. They went to the buyers of different stores and asked which cover would be most likely to purchase."

This data-driven approach was instrumental in refining the cover design, ensuring it would stand out in various retail environments, from bookstores to airport shops.

Iterative Design Process

Initial Design Flops

Sharon shares several early iterations of the book cover, each missing the mark for various reasons. From clichéd historical imagery to overly busy designs, these covers didn’t align with her vision.

[16:22] Craig: "The edge of a cliff. It seems like she's about to jump. That's not fair."

[17:02] Sharon McMahon: "It looks like somebody just opened Microsoft Paint or Ms. Word and typed in, like, Helvetica, the Small and the mighty."

Evolving the Design

Through multiple revisions, Sharon and her team steadily moved away from nautical and overly traditional themes. They sought a design that was both modern and versatile, reflecting the book's focus on unsung American figures.

[25:09] Sharon McMahon: "It's a graffiti eagle. The graffeegle is not the vibe."

Finalizing the Cover

After numerous iterations, the team settled on a design featuring a versatile female figure intertwined with the American flag, symbolizing both history and contemporary relevance.

[35:35] Craig: "It's a woman in a white dress with a jaunty red cap and a red sash, waving an American flag while riding on the back of an eagle and pointing a sword."

While Craig expressed concerns about the initial aggressive tone of this design, further refinements ensured the final cover was both eye-catching and representative of the book’s themes.

Insights on the Publishing Process

Collaboration with Designers and Editors

Sharon elaborates on the indirect communication with designers, mediated through her editor. This process sometimes led to mismatched visions, necessitating multiple revisions.

[08:24] Sharon McMahon: "I didn't speak directly to the designer. I relayed my thoughts to my editor, and my editor talked to the designer."

Importance of Retailer Feedback

The feedback from retailers was crucial in shaping the final cover. Their input ensured the cover would perform well across various sales channels.

[10:46] Sharon McMahon: "The publisher considered feedback from retailers when making final selections, ensuring the cover would appeal in different retail settings."

Distribution Success

Sharon shares exciting news about the book's wide distribution, attributing much of this success to the effective cover design.

[12:06] Sharon McMahon: "The Small and the Mighty is going to be one of the most widely distributed books in America this fall... It's going to be in all the airports, all the Targets, all of the Barnes and Nobles, all of the indie stores."

Conclusion

Sharon McMahon's perseverance through the challenging cover design process paid off, resulting in a cover that not only met her vision but also resonated with retail partners and potential readers alike. Craig commends her for her dedication and the successful outcome.

[37:30] Craig: "Genuinely, a book that I would pass by and be like, oh, that's intriguing. What is that like? It's so ambiguous to what it could be that I like. It is engaging and you want to read it."

The episode wraps up with a promise of further insights in future episodes, including more design iterations and listener questions.

Notable Quotes

• Sharon McMahon [02:10]: "I wanted there to be both a nod to history, but also an element of modernity."
• Sharon McMahon [06:30]: "Red is a very dominant color. You really see a red cover, right."
• Sharon McMahon [10:10]: "They actually did market research on potential covers."
• Sharon McMahon [25:09]: "It's a graffiti eagle. The graffeegle is not the vibe."
• Craig [37:30]: "Genuinely, a book that I would pass by and be like, oh, that's intriguing."

Final Thoughts

"Behind the Scenes of The Small and the Mighty, Episode 2" offers a transparent look into the complexities of book cover design and the importance of aligning creative vision with market demands. Sharon McMahon's experience underscores the significance of collaboration, perseverance, and data-driven decisions in the publishing industry.

For those interested in the interplay between history, culture, and the art of book publishing, this episode provides valuable insights and an engaging narrative of turning a book into a market-ready success.