Ann Colbert | Updates

Human Made vs. AI Book Covers

Ann Colbert — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Human Made vs AI Book Covers:

A Discussion

I peel back the wrapping on the first author copy of my new book and catch my breath in delight. A joy I still feel whenever I glance at the novel on the corner of my desk or tally the unsold books stacked on the floor. The same feeling I get standing in front of a Jackson Pollock painting in a museum.

I love the artwork on my book’s cover. It reminds me of how creative humans are. How colors can be so vibrant. How a font can literally flow.

Would some of that joy be absent if a non-human produced the art? Good question. Complicated answer.

To explore the concept I posed three questions to a couple book cover artists I know and I listened to supporters of AI generated covers. First, let’s define the issue. What is AI generated work? This conventionally means that an AI tool produced the image, artwork, text, translation or other content. For a book cover, that might mean that the background image, character art, symbolic object, illustrated scene, or full visual concept came from an AI image generator. AI-assisted content is different. That’s when a human created the main work, and AI was used to brainstorm, edit, refine, correct, clean up, or improve it.

Wow, look how many times AI appears in the above paragraph. Truly taking over the world!

I read or heard (not sure which if I listened to the interview while reading the transcript) a proponent of AI book covers being interviewed. Pablo Yanez, the founder of BeYourCover. He declared that someone who inputs prompts to create an image is an artist in the same way a photographer or painter is an artist. Producing a cover by machine learning or using tools such as DALL-E or Midjourney, requires skills like being very specific, adjusting for pixel size, fitting it all into the printing templates. Okay, well, that’s one way of thinking about creativity.

I talked to the live humans who make book covers by hand. It may be my bias but I sensed more depth to their work.

Ed Colbert has painted the artwork for my book covers and I asked him what he considers when he displays the contents of a book on its cover. He answered,

“I think it’s impossible to portray the entire story through one piece of cover art, however, I try to make an image that features 1-2 important and meaningful components of the book. Usually, that manifests itself in a symbolic portrayal of the book’s theme. I think the cover really is something of an attention-grabber, to get a potential reader interested with a quick visual look. I want the overall color commentary of the book, not the play-by-play. It’s the author’s story, I’m just trying to put a visual spin on it, perhaps a visual story easily relatable to the author’s synopsis. I don’t want to read the book first, because then my visual story could get muddled and confusing, I don’t want to put too much on the cover.”

I asked Andrew Preston, Morehead musician, author, poet, the same question. Here is his answer.

“My first book, The Hum of a Dreaming Moon, is a collection of lyrics from the span of my career writing music. I wanted the cover art to feel handmade and deeply personal to reflect that. During my first time at the Appalachian Writers' Workshop in 2023, there was an introductory collage activity to break the ice and get everyone warmed up. I ended up making the book cover there (before I realized it was the book cover) and it felt like a summation of my career and it mirrored the aesthetics of my album art (all commissioned by local artist friends) so I felt the theming was perfect for what I wanted. I liked that it was hobbled together and DIY, much like my music.

For my forthcoming book, Considerations, I adapted a similar process. Rather than lyrics, the book is a conglomerate of short stories, fragments, poetry, and music, all drawn from hazy early childhood memories. So I printed out and cut up a bunch of old photographs and doodles from my childhood and stitched them together in another collage. It captured the dreamy feeling I wanted the collection to have, plus it created a visual throughline for my work. It's important for me to keep a consistent theme with my work overall, but also capture the feeling of each individual book or album.”

In contrast, Pablo Yanez bragged that in less than 5 minutes his book cover generator could make a genre perfect, professional design. He did admit that AI struggles with subtleties and specifics like character and mood. I might call these the human element. He also said AI has a certain recognizable pace, and word choice that is more noticeable at the lower end of cost. He made the legitimate point that AI generated covers were useful for authors on tight budgets and according to their motives. If the goal was to sell books with minimal effort beyond writing the damn manuscript, then AI was a wonderful help.

Another question I posed to my human friends was if they considered book covers public art. Certainly a book with a million sales gets more eyes on the cover than any masterpiece hanging in a museum. Except possibly the Mona Lisa. Their answers suggest to me the humility of artists.

Ed said,

“I consider the art that I create for an author’s book to be commissioned work. The cover image is kind of like having a carpenter build you a front door. No matter what the carpenter does with the door, once he/she is done with it, it becomes part of the house. The cover image can be as public as the author wants it to be, once it is included with the written words, it’s the author who decides who sees it and how it is seen. However, the actual piece of art (painting/drawing/etc) is separate from the cover image, because it is a tangible stand-alone object and it can remain detached from the book forever. I do not believe the artist’s signature should be on the image (or at least it should be very discreet). I think that distracts from the real work, which is the author’s story. It is good to have acknowledgement of the cover artist in the acknowledgment or page behind the cover.”

Andrew answered similarly,

“I think book cover designs are absolutely public art. I don't include my signature only because part of the artwork itself for me is how to display my name and the title in an effective way. The font, the placement, and the size all become part of the art itself. If someone other than me has created book or album art for my work, they haven't historically included a signature, but I am sure to include their credits and any links to their other work they'd like on a credits page. I'm not opposed to including a signature on my covers if another artist wants to do it, although it might seem confusing to have multiple names on a cover depending on how it's placed.”

I think about exploitation often. And Pablo Yanez made a good point that there are several layers of exploitation in the world. The question of who and what is exploited is not black and white in the field of AI and a discussion of both sides is too nuanced for me to totally grasp. I did ask the designers one other question. How closely do you need to know the author?

Ed said:

“It likely helps to know the writer, if for no other reason, the artist can have a good back and forth dialogue and ongoing discussion. I don’t know if the artist has to be in the head of the author, but it probably helps to know of the author’s general preferences (likes and dislikes). For instance, if the color green had made Dr Seuss visibly ill, it would be good if the cover artist knew that before painting the eggs”

Andrew replied:

“My album art and book art are exclusively done by me and my artist friends (I typically hire artists much better than myself for my designs), but it's important for them to be a part of my life in some capacity. I'm certainly open to hiring artists I don't know, but I know so many talented artists who I have wonderful memories with, I want them to become part of my art as well.”

I think these comments draw me back to my joy at seeing my book covers. This concept of “contextual distance”- a term I have borrowed from geography that measures how far apart two things are based on their surrounding environment, background, or situation, rather than using simple physical or linear measurement. Ed Colbert is my brother and seeing his work combined with my work reminds me of my family. We are contextually connected. I’m not sure I would have that connection with a random produced image.

Artistry is very fluid and creativity comes in many forms.

I will be involved with the upcoming Appalachian Literary Arts Festival in Morehead, Kentucky at the end of August and I wanted to leave you one last comment from Andrew (one of the organizers) about book covers and why they selected only authors with hand made art.

“ALAF's organizers are all creatives in their own right, and it's part of our core mission to celebrate the humanness of creativity and art. Furthermore, Appalachian art and literature itself is historically homemade and community driven, so AI felt like an antithesis to our organization. On our author applications, applicants were required to answer questions about AI usage in their books, including in cover design. They were also required to send cover art images. We declined any applications that used AI and we were careful to look over cover art for accepted titles to make sure they had appropriate artist credits. We also have the literary art visual art gallery at Rowan County Arts Center leading up to and during the festival to make sure visual artists are celebrated for their interpretation of storytelling and literature, and we also hope that aspect of the festival can become a networking opportunity for writers and visual artists to collaborate on things like cover design, etc.”

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"Dying in the Red Chair" is out there

Ann Colbert — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I have just published my third book in the series "Doctors Who Read Taber's". The new literary fiction is titled Dying in the Red Chair and it tells the story of a couple who have spent the majority of their adult lives together, from college to medical practices in a small town in Eastern Kentucky. The wife, Etta, has a complicated mind filled with music, waning religious conviction and work stress while Arnie, her ER doctor husband relies on nature and reading Taber's Medical Dictionary for relaxation. Their daughter, Darby, follows in her father's footsteps into the woods.

Their lives are jolted when Arnie is diagnosed with a serious illness and makes an unwelcome decision about his life. The book is told from the perspectives of Etta, Darby and a friend named Ava (readers with the series will recognize Ava) and Arnie's thoughts are only known from the journal he writes about words he finds in Taber's. The book should appeal to those who enjoy thinking about the moral, spiritual, ethical and practical aspects of illness, debility, loss and dying. Surprisingly, the tale is not morbid and one reader observed she wasn't as sad as she expected at the ending.

Hope you like it.

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Latest Novel in the Final Stages

Ann Colbert — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

My latest novel is in final steps to publication. I am doing final rewrites and reviews to produce a meaningful read. The short novel in the genre of literary fiction will examine the nature of suffering, the choice of taking one's own life. We see the decline and ultimate decision of a man from the perspective of three characters with widely difference backgrounds and views. The man's wife, one of the characters, follows her own spiritual journey while her husband is proceeding along a physical journey of illness. Looke for the book to be published in the next 3 months. Cheers.

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Win 20 free ebooks

Ann Colbert — Fri, 1 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Did I say 10 free ebooks? No, it's 20 free ebooks. Wish I could enter.

https://www.bargainbooksy.com/literary-fiction-giveaway-080125/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feature%20Live%20v4.1

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Win a free Kindle and 10 ebooks

Ann Colbert — Fri, 1 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Here's how and thank you for supporting the reading world:

https://www.bargainbooksy.com/literary-fiction-giveaway-080125/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feature%20Live%20v4.1

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GOODREADS GIVEAWAY

Ann Colbert — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Look at this: Get a free ebook with this Goodreads Giveaway. Good luck.

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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow noopener">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway
</h2>

<div style="float: left;">
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231185568"><img alt="The Mantra of Lucy Watts by Ann Colbert" title="The Mantra of Lucy Watts by Ann Colbert" width="100" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1744160952l/231185568._SY475_.jpg" /></a>
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<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231185568">The Mantra of Lucy Watts</a>
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by <a style="text-decoration: none;" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49401269.Ann_Colbert">Ann Colbert</a>
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Giveaway ends August 05, 2025.
</p>
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See the <a style="text-decoration: none;" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/417711">giveaway details</a>
at Goodreads.
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<a class="goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_kindle_giveaway/417711">Enter Giveaway</a>

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Recent Review of The Mantra of Lucy Watts

Ann Colbert — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Here is a very nice review by Lorraine Cobcroft:

Exploring common themes of self-awareness, uncertainty, and the purpose of life, Ann Colbert’s The Mantra of Lucy Watts takes readers along on Lucy’s journey of self-discovery and healing. Colbert brings the tropical paradise, Belize, to life for the reader, as well as offering a taste of the life of a doctor.

The Mantra of Lucy Watts, by Ann Colbert, starts rather slowly and ambles along steadily, as character-driven stories tend to do. There is no gripping plot. The mystery unfolds slowly, but readers will be driven to connect with the characters as well as enjoy vivid descriptions of Appalachia and Belize and fascinating glimpses into the world of medicine. Then, about two-thirds of the way through, a shocking discovery compels readers to join Lucy on an emotional roller-coaster ride. As Colbert steadily unveils a shocking truth, and readers observe Lucy’s reactions, we are compelled to question how we have dealt with past trauma and to consider what it means to heal and to forgive.

The Mantra of Lucy Watts is a follow-up to Colbert’s earlier work, Ava Finds Time. Colbert’s works will appeal to lovers of literary fiction and stories of personal transformation. The Mantra of Lucy Watts is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

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Book Signing at Coffee Tree Books, Main Street, Morehead KY. Music, readings, books available.

Ann Colbert — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Meet Ann Colbert and get a signed copy of her latest book, The Mantra of Lucy Watts — a reflective, witty novel about purpose, connection, and the search for peace — on June 17! Can't make it to the event? Purchase your book in advance and leave it with our booksellers to have it personalized by the author.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E28SMj81Y/

#anncolbert #thematraoflucywatts #coffeetreebooks #MoreheadKY @downtownmoreheadinc #moreheadchamber #visitdowntownmorehead

#coffeetreebooksevents #coffeetreebookstore #NewKyHome

All reactions:7Whitney Watercutter, Mary Caric and 5 others17

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Ann Colbert — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Mantra of Lucy Watts, is now available in Indie Kentucky, a collection of books from local indie authors available exclusively on the BiblioBoard Library mobile and web platform. This collection is available to patrons of participating libraries all across your state/region. That’s right, your book is now available with just one click of a button to thousands of new readers in your state/region!

http://library.biblioboard.com/content/d241939a-8d32-4eca-afe0-6ba9bf5403be

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The Mantra of Lucy Watts now part of Indie Kentucky

Ann Colbert — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

http://library.biblioboard.com/content/d241939a-8d32-4eca-afe0-6ba9bf5403be

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Author Interview for NewInBooks

Ann Colbert — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

https://www.newinbooks.com/interview-with-ann-colbert-author-of-the-mantra-of-lucy-watts/

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Writers Can Read

Ann Colbert — Sat, 10 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I am pleased to be asked to read at this monthly event in Huntington, WV. One of our other Redbud Scribbler writers read last year and it was a receptive audience of writers and listeners. The reading is held inside the visitors center which is the hub of the Heritage Station. Come early and have dinner or stay late and have a drink.

The Cabell-Huntington Convention & Visitor’s Bureau anchors Heritage Station from the original train depot building which features The Red Caboose Regional Artisan Center, which sells locally made arts, crafts, and souvenirs and Nomada Bakery which features freshly baked products and pastries. The old train station has been converted into individual shop spaces which are now occupied by fantastic local businesses including Full Circle Gifts and Goods, Gumbo Stop Cafe, BDY Studios, Taps at Heritage, The Historic Hippie, The Chessie Room B&B, All About You Hair & Nail Studio Studio, The HauteWick Social, and of course the Administrative offices of the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District, in Shop #1.

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Ann Colbert Will Be Featured Reader at Writers Can Read.

Ann Colbert — Sat, 10 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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Book Signing at Coffee Tree Books, Main Street, Morehead KY. Music, readings, books available. Come out to support an independent book store on June 17th.

Ann Colbert — Mon, 5 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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