Book Cover Junkie Interviews Coming of Age/Ghost Fiction/Mystery/Supernatural/Women's Friendship Author Jayne Lisbeth

Jayne Lisbeth was born in NYC and continued her life’s journey from Long Island, to New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, California and Tampa, all places featured prominently in her writing.  Her first book, a memoir, Writing In Wet Cement has been published internationally by London based publisher, Austin Macauley. Jayne’s second book, Raising the Dead, a work of historical fiction, mystery, friendship and the supernatural, was published in 2023, also by Austin Macauley.  Ms. Lisbeth publishes monthly “Food for Thought” blogs on her website, Jaynelisbeth.com. Her “Food for Thought” blogs are based on her reflections of  life, friendship, love, and topical subjects of interest. Ms. Lisbeth’s non-fiction, poetry, and short stories have been published from Vermont to California to Tampa, Florida where she has received awards at the local level. She has been published locally in Pages of Our Life, volumes I and II which is currently part of the USF, Tampa, Geriartic Studies Programs. Ms. Lisbeth’s short stories have been published in the LEC Phoenix Anthologies, 2015-2023. Jayne’s interests include writing, reading, exploring, traveling, calligraphy, gravestone rubbing, entertaining and cooking.  Jayne’s author’s website is Jaynelisbeth.com. Ms. Lisbeth and her artist husband, Tim Gibbons, are the owners and founders of Funky As A Monkey Art Studio, providing art in public places and launching new and emerging artists in exhibiting their art.

Author Links  

Website | Amazon Website | Publisher’s Website | Facebook | Instagram

Interview:

What inspired you to write Raising the Dead? 

All my books focus on the evolution and distillation of women and men's lives and their relationships to one another. A dear friend of mine who left this world too early was a story that needed telling. Her

remarkable life, and her influence on my life, was my inspiration. Additionally, I’ve known many young women who have struggled towards adulthood. I wanted to share their struggles in their growth in Raising the Dead, which is a coming of age novel. Additionally, my love of cemeteries, gravestone rubbing prints, history, and spirits contributed to my need to share the story that was brewing in my head. 

How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later? 

I tried out a number of different titles, but none fit. As I wrote, I knew my central theme of Raising the Dead would be raising a young, naive and grief-stricken young woman from the depths of sorrow. The focus of the book is raising Emeline, my main protagonist, back to life through friendships. The more I wrote, the more convinced I was that Raising the Dead was the perfect title on a number of levels. The ways in which Emeline unearths the identity and whereabouts of her dear friend and mentor, Felicity, who suddenly disappears is the main thrust of the book. Felicity’s whereabouts are discovered through friends, both living and dead, she discovers in her search for Felicity. The love of her friends and her husband help to raise her from a child to a woman. 

Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? 

The cover illustrates many of the most important events and characters, including a beloved cat, on the cover. I am an historian and antique lover and restorer and have built a log cabin from foundation to roof for my own antique shop in Vermont. I knew the cover needed to encompass the events, hints and intrigue behind the cover of Raising the Dead to entice the reader. 

Who is the cover designer and how did you find him/her? 

It was very easy to find the cover designer for my book as he is my husband and an artist and long-time art instructor. Tim read my book at least ten times, as did I, while we were editing it prior to sending it to my publisher and editor. He knew the book very well and understood exactly what I was searching for to illustrate the contents and mystery between the covers. 

What has been the readers’ response to your cover? 

Overwhelmingly positive. Everyone especially loves the cat, who is a character in the book, as well as a character in my life, Zuma (who frequently bit my husband!). I wanted the cover to have a “homey” and “simplistic” feel of an earlier era. That has definitely been accomplished by the art which utilizes a homespun, almost childlike, atmosphere. The log cabin is a character in the book, and plays a very important role in the development of the history of the area, “Heavenly Hollow” and the growth of the characters living there. 

What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer? 

Search locally for artists in your area. There are so many talented artists wherever one lives, you just have to find them. Many have art pages and Facebook/Instagram pages, which are also helpful. It is important to have a local person as the need to communicate is made much easier if someone is nearby and you are able to visit their studio and view their art. When you finally find an artist you like, it is best if they read the book to have a feel for the art which should adorn and tempt the reader to look behind the cover. 

Anything else you’d like to say about your book? 

Raising the Dead is a coming of age book of discovery and growth for a young bride. Initially, the main protagonist, Emeline, struggles towards maturity after the death of her only friend and mentor, her mother. The friends she makes in life, both living and dead, move her forward in her discoveries of living, and the uplifting of her life from a young bride to a remarkable, loving, multi-talented woman. 

Raising the Dead is available at Amazon.