Emilie Richards’ Classics
As most of you know, I began my writing career in the romance genre and published dozens of romances before I realized I was writing about many things other than romance that I wanted to explore in more depth.
Slowly, without realizing it, I had moved into a broader “genre,” women’s fiction, which encompasses all the aspects of a woman’s life. So my books no longer said “romance” on the spine. Some of my readers followed me into my new books and some didn’t. Some of my new readers would never have found me otherwise, because they made a point of never picking up a romance novel.
Let’s fast forward. Enter the ebook era. Recently my publishing house informed me that I have the e-rights to my first twenty-nine novels and can publish them myself.
Well, isn’t that good news?
I’ve already begun the process, which will most likely take some time to complete. The first book I plan to reissue is From Glowing Embers, seen here with its original cover. I always loved this story, the first of a four book series I called Tales of the Pacific. My faith in From Glowing Embers was confirmed when a German production company chose to make it into a movie for German Sunday night television a couple of years ago.
Now I think it’s time you had a chance to fall in love with the story, too.
But there’s always a catch, and here’s my dilemma. I can’t publish the book with the original cover, which I don’t own. So I’ll need a whole new cover treatment. That’s where I need your help.
I’m trying to decide how to let my readers know that these ebooks are romance novels I wrote years ago. They’re good books that I’m proud of, updated just a bit, but books with more romance than readers may be used to in my new books.
So how do I do it?
Well, I’m thinking of tagging them prominently with something like Emilie Richards’ Classics on the cover.
I’m also considering my cover treatment. My thought would be to continue the “look” of my newer books. A woman on the cover, perhaps with her back to the reader, as I did when my daughter-in-law and I designed the covers for Twice Upon A Time and Once More With Feeling, that I republished as ebooks two years ago.
But if the covers are too similar to my new books, then will my readers make an informed decision? I would love to introduce my readers to my “classic” romances, but I want everyone to know exactly what they’re buying.
One other possibility would be to have a similar overall look, but with a couple on the cover. Something romantic enough to signal the content, but Emilie Richards enough to remind you who wrote it.
I would love your opinion. And here’s the best news. There’s a giveaway in progress. If you comment on this blog (or any of my blogs) by midnight tonight, Tuesday the 12th of February, then you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win. One lucky commenter will win copies of Iron Lace and Rising Tides, in honor of Mardi Gras, and it might as well be you. Am I right?
So what kind of covers would you like to see on these reissues? What will help you make a decision about whether to buy and read them? What kind of signal should I consider so all my readers are making informed decisions? And last but never least, what kinds of covers are your favorites?
I always appreciate your help. Please comment and let me know. And do it before midnight, okay, so your name will go in the random.org hat for a chance to win.
I like covers with a couple on the front.
Thanks, Amy. I’m going to enjoy and keep track of everybody’s responses to this.
Ok, as a former bookseller, you definitely need to make people that these were previously published as, like the series they were in, maybe the year published, right on the cover. It was a constant irritation for customers that the book was out before and there was no mention except in the copyright notice that said “1988, 2012” type.
I agree completely. The problem with all that on the cover is that ebook covers are postage stamp size. So I definitely need to find many ways to get that info out there. It’s not nice to fool readers.
Love your books. Always looking to see what you have coming out.
To let readers know this is a re-issue of your older romance books I think it’s a great idea to imprint “Emily Richards Classics” on the covers. But I also think you need to have a couple on the cover rather than look too much like your current covers, as they do reflect a different kind of woman’s story. Thank you for your wonderful books and the opportunity to be in the book giveaway drawing.
Are the “Tales of the Pacific” only going to be ebooks? I seem to be one of the last people without an ereader. 🙁
Yes. Those are the only rights I own. You can always read ebooks on your computer, but that’s not easy on the eyes.
Incorporate a heart into the Emilie Richards Classics. Nothing to over board, just an outline or something. I personally stay away from romances so a couple with a heart some where on the cover is all I need know. I love your books and I am so glad your bringing them to new readers.
I thought about doing that. Glad to hear your opinion on it.
I don’t read ebooks, I like holding a book. I am so afraid libraries and book stores are going to fade out. I love the cover on From Glowing Embers.
I feel your pain.
I would like to see that they are classics or the date on the cover. It drives me nuts when I purchase a book that I already read years ago. I also thoroughly enjoyed your Happiness Key series, I read them while I worked on Pat Sloan’s quilt! Also, Iron Lace & RIsing Tides were my favorites, I recommended those books to many friends.
I think you should explore the “One other possibility” option. Picture two people, but with a more updated, less “romance-y” look than the traditional embrace pose.
Good luck!
I agree. Something softer and more romancey–or interesting. Never been a big fan of clinch covers, although they did sell books.
Please tell me what “pelsnickler” means.
Thank you.
I always want to know if a book was previously published, that said, I would like to see a woman on the cover. I have read romance novels for many years and I love a great story with a strong woman, and your newer books have these.
I would incorporate some kind of logo like a heart as well as something that would indicate that they are an Emilie Richards classic… I think that it could be done in such a way you could still have a woman that would fit the story on the cover.
As much as I say I buy I book by it’s cover, it’s normally the description that gets me. 🙂
This is very helpful. I’m getting a feel for what will help my readers make good decisions.
I really liked someone elses comment to call them Emilie Richards Classic.. That is a great idea. (wish it had been mine origanlly). On e books I dont pay much attention to the picture. I look at the synopsis.
I am relatively new to your books. Just finishing the Shenendoah Valley series (which I read out of order not knowing). I love your writing, your heart and passion in the books. Looking forward to reading more. I love Helen by the way!!!!
Thank you, Kim. I love Helen, too.
I still have all four of the Tales of the Pacific books–they were among my favorites when I was reading romances. I too like Emilie Richards Classics as a name. I don’t pay much attention to covers, but since they will show up in a book list on the e-reader, I think they need to be modern-looking.
I’m so glad you liked and remembered them and kept them, too.
Thank you for caring that we know what we are buying. I love all your books that are classified women’s fiction. I’m sure that I’ll enjoy reading your earlier books to see the path that got you where you are today. BUT I would have been really annoyed if I’d thought that I was buying the current books and came up with a reissue. That has happened before and I felt cheated. Thanks for showing that you are not only an amazing author but a nice person too!
Thank you, I’m going to do my best to make sure. And I’m pleasantly surprised at the ones I’m reissuing. They really are a lot like my newer books. The seeds are definitely there. Plus I can edit them and will.