Knowing more about Tschichold and Schmoller may not save you... unless you have more pull with your publisher than I imagine authors do. I admit to be interested in Schmoller now though.

peter — any chance you could post an image of the books you like?

Eluard: there is a Flickr group, devoted to Penguin book covers:
The Penguin Paperback Spotters’ Guild

Peter, for information on Jan Tschichold, check out this (rather new and substantial) book –
Christopher Burke: Active literature. Jan Tschichold and New Typography, Hyphen Press.

F

My favorite Schmoller quote:

“One more attribute the modern typographer must have: the capacity for taking great pains with seemingly unimportant detail. To him, one typographical point must be as important as one inch, and he must harden his heart against the accusation of being too fussy.”

Hans Schmoller, “Book Design Today,” Printing Review Spring 1951.
[used as an epigraph in Dowding’s Finer Points]

— K.

I got deeper into design as an author who wanted his books to look good, like you. I believe that your control over design will be nothing or minimal, unless you can get it into your contract that you will be consulted. Of course, there may be some agreeable people who are happy to have your input. But as usually I believe this stuff is done pretty quickly on deadline, it is tough. The book designers here should be able to tell you more about the process. Good luck!

In my experience (mostly trade illustrated reference), authors have no control over their books. Some very important authors may have influence, but no authority. They may have some limited veto power over certain elements, particularly as related to the proper communication of content. But this usually occurs through their editor, who is the author’s advocate within the publishing process.