Dear All–
Hmm. So, my editor at Random House called this morning to tell me they were going to have “the cover conference” for AN ECHO IN THE BONE tomorrow–and did I have suggestions, opinions, preferences?
He’d earlier suggested the possibility of re-covering the series–he’s a new editor, and of course would like to contribute something significant in addition to his editing skills on the new book–and I’d said I was agreeable, providing the new covers were an improvement. At the same time, I don’t have any greata objection to continuing with the jewel-toned iconic covers, if we _don’t_ have a better suggestion. (Not that I can think of a suitable icon for _that_ title, right off the top of my head….and what on earth color would we use? Pink? A pale, leafy green? (Not yellow; I hate yellow, and besides, yellow books don’t do well–accepted wisdom in marketing circles.
John (the editor) suggested something more pictorial/historical, which I said I was open to–provided there are no humans on the cover. To which he said that would make it more difficult–he rather likes the later editions of George MacDonald Fraser’s “Flashman” novels, which have a sort of graphic-art version of the main character in various situations–and he doubted that putting a rubber duck on the cover would impair sales to any great extent.
“Regardless….” I said. “Besides, we can’t put rubber ducks on _all_ the covers.”
The last time this subject came up, I’d just been seized by the shape of ECHO, and in the grip of this enthusiasm, suggested (to Doug, whom I happened to be talking to at the time) doing a new cover series in which the covers were done in attractive deep colors, with the underlying “shape” of each novel done in a striking abstract style (possibly embossed) on the front. This caused Doug to make faces, so is possibly not as inspired a notion as I thought. [g]
Anyway–since y’all obviously have a personal interest in what the books look like, I thought I’d ask whether anybody has any strong opinions, suggestions, whatever. No telling _what_ will happen–as John assured me, this cover conference is merely the instigating point of the process; no final decisions are expected to emerge tomorrow–just some ideas to pursue.
So if you have ideas…let me know!
I just had another thought – the one thing to tie in with them all, if you like that idea, could be Claire’s rings.
I like melanie’s idea. A basic jewel tone with celtic interlace that somehow incorporates the “shape” of each book could be beautiful. For Echo maybe a rich ivory colour (like a bone, obviously I’m none too creative)
I’m all in favour of buying the whole matching set, I figure I owe it to you by now since my current mismatched collection was pieced together from used book stores, gifts and outright theft from libraries. They’re getting a little the worse for wear and a nice new matched set would look a lot prettier on my shelf.
I have to say that I’m fond of the jewel-toned covers – they’re stylistically clean. The pictures for the book come from the reader’s imagination.
Also – I hate it when cover styles change in a series because then my older copies don’t match the new ones, but that’s just a personal peeve. I would still buy the new ones, no matter what.
I’m all for the jewel tones. How about a rich, deep amber to match Claire’s eyes. The idea of the interlace patterns with the shape of the book is great also. The burgundy is nice too.
I’m obsessed with the trade paperback, something about readability for me I guess. So whatever you decide I hope it’s jewel tones and goes with that set of covers.
I also love the idea of the clock or watch where you can see the insides, though I’m not sure that would symbolize Echo…well it’s a good thing they pay people to come up with this stuff! 
Jewel tones, jewel tones, jewel tones! I love the jewel toned book covers. Don’t change them! They’re gorgeous and I think they perfectly and accurately represent the books.
How about a ripple effect on the cover of the Echo book? Was that not one of the descriptions you gave when explaining how you decided on a title? It might look cool,and you already had thought of it!!
I like the idea of incorporating the shape of the story into the cover design.
Additionally I really like what someone suggested about having the cover design somehow connected to the historical time period and/or to the major event of the book. For example Voyager could somehow incorporate a ship or the sea or something that gives the feeling of traveling.
Someone mentioned something about herbs. For some reason that idea really appeals to me. Maybe an intertwining of a plant with Claire’s rings? Or a a plant intertwined with a claymore? I would love to see the standing stones somehow incorporated into a cover design too.
Diana,
As soon as I read this post (before I read through all the comments), the "icon" that popped into my head for the cover was that of the ripple effect as Lena mentioned. The ripple goes back to how you visualized & described this book, and I think readers will connect its imagery with the title & the story.
Of course, that assumes that you will keep the current cover layout. I do like the current one with the simple "jewel-tone" color & iconic image. I agree that the possible colors mentioned of deep red or black would be suitable choices. I really like the previous suggestion of a rich ivory color, evocative of a bone. You might also consider a glossy light brown, something along the lines of cafe au lait.
It won't matter to me if you change the cover art or not. My personal collection is a hodge-podge of paperbacks, hardbacks, originals, & jewels. I won't repurchase the series Rather I will buy the new book when it comes out, read it, and squeeze it into my bookcase next to the others (most of which you signed 5 years ago).
Diana,
Have you ever noticed how when someone quickly turns their head, it appears as a swirl of colour? I think a close up of a certain red headed Scot’s hair caught in sunlight in the heat of battle would be very evocative.diacer
Diana,
If you are planning on a series of letters from Claire and Jamie to Brianna and Roger, then handwritten letters in a fuzzy, sepia, aged effect might be a nice background for the usual gold icon and lettering.
i like the jewel tones also, but i also loved your idea of having the shape of the book being somewhere on the cover.
i like the ripple idea, and the color “bone” or ivory as a jewel tone for “echo”. lots of good ideas here.
i am also one of those nerds who would probably buy the series again so that all the books matched =)
I completely agree with Patricia.
And I took pains to get the English paperbacks with the same cover as the German hardcovers, so yes, I want all my books to look the same (and it looks very nice in my book case also
)
Personally, I like the jewel tone icon covers. Classy, elegant, with the icon suggesting some element of the story. You could still smuggle the shape of the story into the icons, if your graphic artist is imaginative enough (‘g’).
Dear Diana—
I, and I suspect many others, would buy the book(s), even if there were rubber duckies on the covers, [g]! However, being a North Carolina native of Celtic descent(& a practicing Celtic Pagan), I was quite struck by the beauty of The Fiery Cross cover, with the embossed Celtic stag brooch on the “Fraser red” background. Plus, the brooch/kilt pin was significant to the book's content.
I love the series so any cover is fine with me…oh, wanted to offer—I'm a former labor & delivery nurse, so if you need kernels of astounding birth stories, let me know!!{G}
Beth(BrighidLady@aol.com)
I absolutely love the current covers on all your books. I also agree with you and several others – there should be no people on the cover. The only other suggestion I have is maybe something along the lines of landscapes – a circle of stones for Outlander, a tree with brightly colored leaves for Drums in Autumn, a snow-covered forest and hillside (Fraser’s ridge) for Breath of Snow and Ashes…
I personally wouldn’t change the current covers, however. They are simple, clean and very elegant.
Echo makes me think of waves like a ripple in watter…
Having said that, I must also say that I bought the original Outlander paperback with the double cover of the plaid, pearls, knife and clock with Claire looking out and that opened up to more (supposed) scenes from the story. Anyway…you could put anything on the cover as long as your name is on it, it will be in my eager hands ASAP. lol
Diana,
I also like the jewel tone covers with the simple graphic. I have male friends to whom I have given the books. I would feel awkward giving them a book with a person on the cover, especially knowing how some of the early covers were. ; ) I think they are more apt to give the books a try that way. Actually, that is the way some of my women friends are too.
I will ask my closest male friend what he would like to see. He loves your books!
Thanks for giving us a chance to voice our opinions! : )
Yes, keep the jewel tones. I can read them in public without embarrassment! They don’t give people preconceived notions about the contents either, which should make them appeal to a larger audience. For those of us who know you…it’s true that a rubber duck front and center would not dissuade us!
Another vote for the jewel tones. They’re elegant, unisex, and look wonderful on my bookshelf