Good morning my dear readers
A Brand-New Look for Frances & Gilbert
For the longest time, I played around with my own book covers.
I learned how to figure out overlays, textures, and blending images, and at one point I thought, “Not too bad!”
Like many indie authors, I admired how the Colleen Hoovers of this world and other big authors could pull off those abstract, flowery covers that filled bookstores and Kindle charts. So, of course, I tried my hand at it too.
The mock-up sat on my computer for ages, waiting for its big reveal. But here’s the truth—it never saw the light of day.
And while I enjoyed experimenting, I eventually had to admit something important: if I really wanted my books to have the best chance of success, I needed to approach them differently.
Treating Writing Like a Business
For about a year now, I’ve been taking my writing seriously—not just as a passion, but as a business. Everywhere I looked, successful authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs were saying the same thing:
“Treat your hobby, dream, or interest like a business.”
And you know what? That advice stuck.
Since then, I’ve made some big shifts:
- I found a book cover designer who understands my genre and helps me create covers that feel professional and market-ready.
- I started working with a life and business coach to refine my habits and mindset (more on that another day).
- Most importantly, I began to see my books not only as stories, but as products in my author business.
I still enjoy dabbling in design, and part of me will probably always play around with fonts and images. But if I want my books to reach the readers they’re meant for, I have to be willing to let the professionals step in.
The Cover Reveal
And that brings me to the exciting part.
Yesterday, I received the new cover for Frances & Gilbert, the very first book in my The Unknown Series of sweet Regency historical romances.
And honestly? I love it.
It’s genre-specific, it fits beautifully into the world of top 100 sweet Regency romances, and most importantly—it truly captures the heart of the story.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing the cover evolution of the other books in The Unknown Series, and I can’t wait to show you how they’ve transformed.
In the meantime, here’s how you can dive into the story:
- Read Frances & Gilbert on Amazon or through Kindle Unlimited.
- If you enjoyed it, please leave a star rating or review—it makes all the difference.
- And don’t forget, there’s a bonus short story waiting for you at the end of the book.
Let’s Chat
What do you think of the new cover? Do you enjoy seeing the behind-the-scenes of an author’s creative process? I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to drop me an email anytime.
Thanks for being part of this journey with me.
Until next time.
Cheers!
**Please send me an email with your feedback at anne@annecwest.co.za. Comments vanish and get missed, hence emails.**
