Hi! Deb Kastner here. One of the questions I’m often asked as an author is how my cover is made. At Harlequin they use what is called an Art Fact Sheet, which is several pages of details regarding characters, plot and themes, as well as three scene suggestions, all of which they may or may not use at their discretion.
Unlike other publishing houses, I don’t see my cover until it’s complete. Sometimes it’s close to what I envision, sometimes not so much. Sometimes I love it, and again, sometimes not so much. I always try to give the art department pictures of what I think my characters look like, mostly using Hollywood actors.
So I thought it would be fun today to share with you what my book The Cowboy’s Surprise Baby (out now!) would look like if cast into a movie.
Hero Cole Bishop (Bradley Cooper)
Heroine Tessa Applewhite (Cassidy Freeman)
Redemption Ranch owner Alexis Grainger Haddon (Jennifer Morrison)
Redemption Ranch owner Griff Haddon (Jack Davenport)
Boy’s Counselor Marcus Ender (Sam Claflin)
Jo Murphy Spencer (Sharon Gless)
Frank Spencer (Terry O’Quinn)
So what do you think of my choices? I think if I wasn’t a novelist, I think it would be fun to be a casting director.
And FYI, Marcus has his own story in my November Christmas novella The Cowboy’s Yuletide Reunion, which is paired with a novella by Arlene James in Yuletide Cowboys.
The Cowboy’s Surprise Baby is available now!
~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
Great choices, Deb.:)
LOL, I watch way too few movies to do this with my own books. I have no clue who any of those people are.
Hello? Hello? Oops. Did you all just shun me?
I never casted my books until recently, but now I’m hooked. It’s so fun! And I think it gives readers a visual that can hook a not-so-sure reader. You’ve certainly hooked me, Deb!
Love to see your pics for hero and heroines. Even though I don’t know a lot of current movie stars, it’s still fun to go through photos to find the person who looks like your characters.
Valerie, I’m the same way–I don’t know very many movie stars, but I admire Deb for being able to pick out such handsome/beautiful folks for her giant cast!
What a fun post! I wondered how Love Inspired designed their covers … good to know. I enjoyed your casting, too. Terry O’Quinn was amazing in Lost. I miss watching him. And I’m always a fan of Bradley Cooper, as well.
LOL, Valerie!! I think the only one I remotely recognize is Terry O’Quinn from the TV show “Lost”. Whcih, I’ve only watched the first season it came out. So I’m right there with you….if they shun you, they’ll have to shun me too…haha!
I agree with everyone here, I love seeing who the authors would cast if their books were to be made into a movie! I only vaguely recognize Terry O’Quinn from the TV show “Lost”, and that I only watched the first season. Most of the time, I don’t know who the actors/actresses are since I don’t watch a lot of movies or TV shows. I’m right with you Valerie and Lee!