Interview with Elaine Gignilliat, Romance Book Cover Artist

If you are a big romance reader, then probably the first thing that catches your eyes before buying a romance novel are the covers. Whether you are titillated by them or slightly embarrassed, they make an impact. Which brings me to my conversation with Elaine Gignilliat, former romance book cover artist of over 350 books ,who was gracious enough to give me an interview. I asked her how she got into the business and does she have any suggestions for people interested in going into the romance book cover artist business. Here are her answers.

Could you talk about how you got started doing romance book cover art? What is your training? Was it part of your career goal or was it just an opportunity that you happen to seize upon with great results?

Elaine G-I attended a life drawing session at the Art Student's League in NYC ( there's no teacher) in order to learn how to loosen up by drawing from a model. Another student came around looking at what others had done when the model took a brake, and said he thought I could do what he did, book covers. I had been a fashion illustrator for 10 years before moving to Cleveland and Edina, Minnesota, because my husband had been offered better executive jobs there. I did no illustration at all during that time. I intended to do fashion again, but when he told me what he was paid, it interested me and he showed me around to the photographer's studio, and the place where costumes were rented. He then told me to leave my portfolio at various art directors at the publishers and I was fortunate to be able to get work the second day. My having drawn from a live model while doing fashion was a great help. I have never had a class in fashion drawing or any kind of illustration, so I am self taught at whatever I do.

I read that you do extensive research before doing a book cover. You read the writer's book, you research locations from the book etc. Why does doing these things make for a better book cover?

Elaine G- I think the reader is insulted and should be, by a lack of accuracy in the description of the models and backgrounds, so I was careful to make notes about a location in a scene I chose to do and what they were wearing.