They also always perfectly fit the books' contents.
The hand-holding along the cover’s edges are but one of the compelling conceptual touches here.
gg: Yes, I remember the mood boards!
Simon + Schuster Books for Young Readers
I hadnt worked with Lizzy before andEmergency Contactwas the first real original commissioned cover I ever did.
She emailed me saying that she had this great book cover that she thought I would be good for.
I always look up what an authors writing is like before taking a project.
Simon + Schuster Books for Young Readers
CHOI:The first time I saw theEmergency Contactcover my heart stopped.
I was out with friends and Id greedily opened up the email and just burst into tears.
It was so wild to see Penny and Sam and be struck with such recognition.
Simon + Schuster Books for Young Readers
Even thinking about it now my heart is hammering so hard.
Its so special and Im still so grateful.
gg:Im just glad I could do your books justice!
As I got deeper into the manuscript, the image became super clear to me.
I really wanted to capture the feeling of two people being intimately close but still apart in separate worlds.
I didnt think the mood boards were a nightmare!
But I think I do rely more on the text to develop the visuals.
Then you said I should tone down his schlubbiness [Laughs].
CHOI:I remember you totally gave Pablo a gut!
Just for his own personal morale [Laughs].
I think thats why when I see any cover for the first time its such a visceral experience.
Its like you distilled some aspect of my soul into an illustration.
gg:I always want to read the manuscript of what Im working on.
Its important to me to experience the content so I know how to communicate it through the cover.
Its more enjoyable when I can actually work with the book rather than just for it.
In a way the proxemic opposite ofEmergency Contact.
I dont know if thats because you and Lizzy trust me enough now to figure it out or what.
ByYolkI think I sent one line to Lizzy to send to you with the book.
Like, two black haired girls in white dresses are holding hands and falling.
But gg, can you talk about the flip book aspect of theYolkcover?
The way Jayne and June are holding hands all along the fore edge of the pages?
And the point at which you came up with the double cover on [Permanent Record]?
I would love to learn more about your process.
Each time, Im like, Ive never seen this done in this way.
How is it that I get to have this?
gg:Oh, I had plenty of worries about the technical aspects of thePermanent Recordcover as well!
A close-up on faces, referencing specific moments, different spaces, etc.
So when I was reading I had all those options in my mind floating around.
But Lizzy is amazing and didnt even blink and said they would find a way to make it work!
The scene when they are younger and walking home was especially important to me.
I thought, what if I could transpose the sisters on-off relationship onto the books form itself.
Which is how I got to the idea of hands on the page edges.
CHOI:I havent seen it either yet, but I get chills.
I cant wait to see it all come together.
Thank you for the level of care and dedication.
Im so lucky to work with you and Lizzy, its honestly ridiculous.
