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!
The series of covers that featured still life with tartan and landscape seemed very nice to me. Something like that again would be quite appealing, if the foreground objects had something to do with the story. I personally would love it if some plot-relevant medicinal herb or other vegetation were in the foreground as well, but I’m a geek.
The series of covers that featured still life with tartan and landscape seemed very nice to me. Something like that again would be quite appealing, if the foreground objects had something to do with the story. I personally would love it if some plot-relevant medicinal herb or other vegetation were in the foreground as well, but I’m a geek.
Diana,
I love the current covers. When I go to the book case and see all of the Outlander books together…sigh..they just look beautiful. If you change it now…ahh the flow will be broken. Does this make any sense to anyone else?
Dear Diana~
I’m with everyone on the NO People covers. Too evocative of the bodice-ripper books and Yours are Not Those! Also don’t want any images to suggest the appearance of the characters EXCEPT those from the graphic novel. They will be wholly acceptable (to me) because they have been created from your vision.
Love the jewel tone covers, adore the idea of the shapes — caltrops included. Landscapes, historical maps, armory, flora, anything intelligent but not textbook. I’m one of those that enjoys the sensation of textured paper for my books, less refined or modern, more reminiscent of the story’s age or era.
Thank you for asking our opinions. Whether your publishers take any of this to heart is another matter. Just suggest that quality always has its appeal, even to (the) hoi polloi.
Midge
Another vote for the jewel tone covers for pretty much the reasons stated.
Dissenting vote, I guess. I preferred the tartan with landscape/still life art. Those are very evocative for me, and I like that I can go back and look at the art again and see things that I’d missed before. Kind of like reading the books: even though I have read all of them multiple times, I always catch something new each time – some nuance, some turn of phrase that I didn’t remember from the previous reads. I like that in a book.
Like everyone else here, I’d buy it if it were wrapped in a greasy old newspaper…. but I find the original cover art more interesting than the iconic version. JMHO,of course.
I’m voting for the jewel tone covers, plain and simple. For “Echo” i can see either the deep wine red or a luminous ivory or even – following the trend begun with “Breath”‘s silver – maybe a metallic gold (not yellow!) or bronze?
It would be nice, though to have something on the spines that ties the series together – a tartan ribbon, celtic border or even a stamp with the Frazer crest on it (and even the volume number – “Being the Seventh Volume of of the Outlanda Saga” or something similar to help new readers know right off the bat that it’s a series).
And then of course, there could be a similar (but not the same) device used on the Lord John books as well….
Oh, dear – change the covers? Please, no! I love the jewel tone covers, and the trade paperbacks as well. I want all my books to match, too. Very selfish on my part, but there it is.
Diana,
I have to say stay with the jewel tones, they are so lovely. This will be my first time buying the brand new hard cover so I would like them to match those that I have already.
LisaW
Hi Diana,
I do like the way the books are now, although I do have some of the older versions too. If anything was going to change, I think having a Celtic design as a border or on the spine would be lovely.
Maybe a caramel/brown colour for the background and silver lettering. The ‘graphic’ could be a gem/jewel.
Hope the meeting goes well.
Janie
Please keep the covers as they are. The simple icon with the solid coloured cover are beautiful. Not to mention, they look great on the bookshelf together.
Another vote for the simple jewel tone covers. I think they look the cleanest and appeal to both men and women. I like them as much today as I did when they first came out. I wasn’t crazy about the silver ABOSAA cover though, it was just too shiny and didn’t go with the others. For “echo”, since the title suggest war, I would think a grey would be nice.
I’m sure since it’s me, you thought I would like some more graphic laden humorous cover. *g* I could do one for you if you like!
Michelle
Another vote for the simple jewel tone covers. I think they look the cleanest and appeal to both men and women. I like them as much today as I did when they first came out. I wasn’t crazy about the silver ABOSAA cover though, it was just too shiny and didn’t go with the others. For “echo”, since the title suggest war, I would think a grey would be nice.
I’m sure since it’s me, you thought I would like some more graphic laden humorous cover. *g* I could do one for you if you like!
Michelle
The Oct 20 post was brilliantly insightful on your creation of a shape for each book The caltrop should inspired the right illustrator to use that shape in a front and back cover abstract/construct with “echoing” and a monochromatic jewel tone for the new book. Then the illustrator could work backward through the series, using the shape which informs each book in a similar manner with unique jewel tone. How about a pack of book covers for those who require a coordinated appearance? Stand firm on not allowing depiction of places and characters on the cover which diminishes the classic work.
Hi Diana,
I concur with all of the comments praising the jewel-tone covers. They are beautiful! As far as the graphic goes, (and forgive me if this is unbearably cheesy), but what about a stylized bodhran as a play on the word “echo?” Drums do echo, of course!
There are a lot of comments about the word “bone” in the title, so I was trying to think of something different. Perhaps the bodhran image would tie in with Roger and Bree’s storyline in this book? Cheers! 
I had posted last night but it never appeared, so I will post again.
I think a bronze cover would be pretty and in keeping with the silver cover of Book 6. I was thinking about echos and I pictured a lake and the vibrating rings of water that form when an object has been thrown it. I think the circular ripples eminating from a point of entry, embossed, would be beautiful. The object could be visable as well…a dirk, a gem stone or something germane to the book.
What about the shapes of the books? 3 triangles, dumbell, etc. I think they could be very attractive.
Judie
I like the jewel-colored covers with the simple logos very much. They are elegant and aesthetically pleasing. I usually don’t like books with pictures of people on them because the artist never captures the characters as I have visualized them.
I just had a look at the George MacDonald Fraser “Flashman” book covers and, quite frankly, I don’t understand the editor’s view of them. They look like teen novels straight out of the ’50′s!
I agree with the vast majority of contributors that the jewel-toned book covers are the nicest: elegant and classy. For the next cover colour, I liked the latte-like bone colour, as well as bronze and grey. The bodran is a great idea, as well as Claire’s rings. How about the Ancient Celtic Man’s face?
No people please!
I’d like to see more Celtic symbols, perhaps raised and embossed. Solid colors, but not necessarily jewel tones.
And just because there are no people on the cover doesn’t mean there couldn’t be other things. Some particular scenery from the book.
Each book seems to have had a starring ‘place’ as well. Scotland, The stones, France, Jamaica, America, Fraser’s Ridge, Lallybroch, Culloden, The Artemis, etc. I love covers with beautiful artwork that looks romantic. (In the dreamy, mysterious sense.) And Lord knows you’ve got enough material in that vein in each book.
The Fraser plaid on the spine?
Why not bones for Echo?