A baby without a diaper.
Turkey but no dressing.
PB without the J.
A warm beer.
A cat that can’t meow.
A book without a cover.
A book without … ack!
That’s what I’ve felt like for a large part of the past several months as I signed contracts on the sale of my first book, finished edits, filled out art facts sheets and patiently waited for my manuscript to turn into a book.
Finally, finally, it feels closer than it’s ever been because … I have a cover!
I’m not sure I can explain what it felt like to look at the jpg attachment and see that woman’s face looking back at me. Expectant, surreal, exciting, and, certainly, it took several minutes to register …As I’m grinning …
“That’s ANNIE, my heroine.”
“She’s adorable.”
“Would you look at that smile?”
“And the cute stripey stop, her nice shoulder, the way she’s standing.”
“They put shorts on her. Awesome. Fits the story.”
“What a cool waterfall.”
“Look at the way it’s flowing.”
“The colors. So vibrant. They pop.”
“I love this cover!”
“The yellow, the blues, the greens, the red—it—”
“Red?”
“What?”
Smile disappearing.
“Who’s the guy?”
Long pause.
“Who IS that guy?”
“That’s not Jake.”
“They got the long part, but Jake’s hair is black. Curly.”
“Jake has a five o’clock shadow.
“Jake looks like a pirate.”
“Jake would NEVER wear red.”
“He—”
“Oh, look at the title.”
Smile is back.
“LOOK at my name!”
“My name is on a book cover!”
“This is sooo cool.”
"MY name is on a book cover!”
So whaddya think of my cover? Like, dislike? Love, hate? Either way, I’d like to hear what people will think when seeing it on the shelf. Is this cover a plus or a minus?
12 comments:
Candace, I hadn't thought about it that way, but I think that's exactly how I was reacting to her. And she does have a secret, several in fact!
Helen, congratulations! It's a wonderful cover! Bright colors, appealing people, and a waterfall. . . I LOVE waterfalls. And Candace is right, you're struck immediately by the fact that the heroine is appealing and excited and seems to be leading the hero somewhere. . . into the water? Into an adventure he'll soon be neck-deep in? Into a relationship he hadn't anticipated? Lots of possibilities here.
I'm so happy for you! And how cool to have your cover now in the gallery to the right!
Did you break out the champagne?
:) Betina
Must have champagne. Good idea, Betina!
i love the composition and the colors. they probably put red in there to attract the eye to begin with. but we're looking at her.
and she is adorable. she shines. i wonder who the model is. it will be interesting to see if she's someone people start recognizing.
great cover.
great title.
and helen brenna -- that's a great name. looks good in print, and people will be able to remember it.
Anne, I tried imagining the hero in any other color and it wouldn't work. The red was best, it just isn't a "Jake" color, so it surprised me.
Funny, about the model for the heroine's - I've had so many people say she looked like me or my daughter!
Helen-- Love it! She draws the reader in. The colors are lovely. Your name looks great. Everyone loves "treasure!" And there is a family resemblance to you in that model. Very cool.
Thanks Deb!
i immediately thought she looked like you, but i didn't mention it!!
That's the first thing I thought, Helen, that the model looks like you. And I LOVE the bold colors. I think it'll really draw the eye and jump out from all the other books, don't you? Makes you wonder who is leading, too. The girl, or is it the guy? Come this way. No, I'm going this way. Wanna follow? Looks like a great read!
M
Yeah, Michele! Looks like they have good chemistry, doesn't it?
Sounds like everyone generally likes the cover. It'll be interesting to see how it does on the shelf.
Remember Valentine's day!! That's my release date. :))
Helen, congrats!! I love the couple and the look they are giving each other. The cover definitely draws the eye!!
Thanks Kelly! A little different look than your first cover, huh?
Post a Comment