Book cover image- why, what, how?

5 seconds for book cover and 15 seconds for back page text!

That is the average attention span to entice a book reader. That is the time span needed to convert a ‘maybe book buyer’ into a ‘definitely interested book buyer’.

This is my story, my exciting journey – as my Cover Design Artist and myself made a memorable foray into concepts, ideas and colors.

Premise & target audience

‘Aim high’ – I thought hopefully, when asked to state my target audience. Indians, NRIs, pan-Earth Mythology buffs, Aliens…

Mahabharata may be an Indian Epic, but its emotions, its philosophy and its characters are rich & relevant across religion, region, language and Time.

My book focuses on 3 protagonists of Mahabharata - Arjun, Draupadi and Krishn.

My book blurb had to condense a 96,000 word manuscript into 132 words.

My book cover had to complement those 132 words in a vivid 5 second vision. Easy , huh?

I found the perfect artist to capture my dream idea in Champa Srinivas, my exquisite Cover Designer. She is an Architect cum artist who loves to ‘capture the beauty of aesthetic spaces and colors’.

Concept, symbols, colors, ideas.

Symbolism: My 3 protagonists:

1] Arjun – The ace archer and superlative warrior.

2] Draupadi – his feisty Queen.

3] Krishn – God who walked Earth in human form.

Their symbols: Arrow, Blue Lotus and Peacock feather respectively.

Concept behind symbolism:

Arrow was a no-brainer, given Arjun’s authoritative excellence in archery.

Blue lotus (for Draupadi) , since she possessed the inborn fragrance of a blue lotus.

We tossed our coin over Krishn’s symbols – the flute (artistic, melodious, poetic) or Sudarshan chakra (his discus weapon) or peacock feather (his flamboyant characteristic head gear) – before finalizing the latter.

Color palette:

Silver Arrow : ‘Arjun’ in Sanskrit = spotless/luminous as silver; just like its sound-alike ‘Argentum’ in Latin. {Such an amazing coincidence!}

Sleek and honed like Arjun’s razor sharp focus. Yet – humble and understated in comparison to his 2 soul mates.

Blue Lotus : Apart from the fragrance factor, Draupadi was a dusky beauty with lustrous