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!
jewl tones covers are beautiful, it is how I find the books on the shelf. the shape on the spine – now that I know it – is a great and tasteful idea. please, NO people. why change somehing tasteful that works?
Same ol’, same ol’ here:
Jewel tone, yada yada…
No people, yada yada…
Matching set, blah blah…
I mean, c’mon. Tell your editor that some of us buy all your books as first edition hardcovers the nanosecond they come out. I already have a weird-looking set of your mismatched books on my shelf. Going to a third type of cover now would, well …
Don’t make me come over there and smack him.
Linda M Au
Diana, did you have any idea what a stir you’d start with this question?
*g*
I went back in and looked at my shelf. I really do love the jewel tones. And they’re instantly recognizable. I do like the idea of something on the spine, a Celtic design or piece of worn tartan, but the same thing on each spine to tie them together.
And I know, I shouldn’t say this, but I agree about the shiny silver cover on ABOSAA. That one annoyed me. It just looked more like a Christmas book without that elegant cover…
However, if you’d like to wrap them in fish wrapping, I’d still buy them!
And my cat would love you!
I quite like the older covers I have on the first four – the cover of Voyager with the ship in full sail is my fave. And the dragonfly, the tomahawk. I’m not such a fan of the clock in particular, but I love how there’s tartan on every cover.
I have the Firey Cross with the new, red cover, and I don’t like it so much.
I do love the silvery cover for Snow and Ashes though – it does fit quite well.
Dear Diana,
You are a brave woman (huge smile) and certainly not ego driven, that fact proven by asking your fans for opinion on the new cover art. Not to mention that it creates even more work for you in review and comment.
Truly … I love the entire collection of book covers-all series and countries. Every time I see a change in design work it draws my attention and I admire them all.
I have heard “don’t fix what isn’t broken” however I am a person that believes in change and it excites me to add another book to my collection. I do not view the difference in design as a hindrance to my collection, which is extensive, I see it as a treasure of its own next to others that I admire so much. I think it is cool to be excited to purchase a new book that you have read half a dozen times just because the cover is different.
As for change… I go for the dichroic glass effect. Example-for Voyager, the rare “black diamond/cargonado” tones with the shape of the book incorporated. That would be a great cover and meaningful to the story and lives of Jamie and Claire. Dichroic effects in jewel tones changing for each book fitting to the “shape” and “story line”.
Thanks again for being “real” to your fans.
Respectfully,
Rosemary
Like the others, I like the jewel tones with the single symbol.
But, please, please finish the series before someone can make it into a movie and re-release the books with actors on the covers. That is one thing I cannot stand! I want original covers – not some cover with the “in” actors of the day plastered all over the cover.
Thanks for listening to our input!
I agree with all those who would like to keep the covers of the same type as the current jewel tone covers. They are much more attractive than cheesy landscapes or people who are never as attractive as what you imagine those in the book to be. Do the colors have to remain jewel tone? If the shape of the book is a caltrop, then perhaps a color that represents something more violent, or dark could be used. Not sure what color that would be… I guess it depends on the chosen graphic for the front. But, I would imagine a deep or dark color would work.
Can you stand one more vote for the jewel tone covers? I also like the idea of the circles in the water (I apologize – I can’t spell consentric…I *might* be able to say it *g*) Circles like ripples in a pond. I do agree…no humans on the covers. Then again, like others have said, it doesn’t matter what is on the cover as long as it is on my bookshelf!
I do like the jewel tone covers – and have just invested in the entire set in hardcover (it’s not sold here in Oz, and luckily I got in just before our dollar plummeted). I’d be rather sad to have a mismatched set, and wouldn’t be especially happy about that (since I’ve now bought every book twice – plus all the gift copies of Cross Stitch I’ve bestowed – not to mention the audiobooks…).
As others have said, the jewel scheme is far from exhausted, either in possible colours or style. The silver one, though, is more prone to wear than the matte ones. Celtic knots are a promising idea.
The landscapey photostyle covers used on the paperbacks here are nice, but I suspect would be less appealing to blokes. I don’t especially like the US crowded tartan and stuff covers.
Maybe the editor can play with the paperback covers, but leave the hardbacks for the hardcore loyal fans with the current style?
I vote for the jewel tones too!
For some reason I keep thinking of bats when ever you say echo (maybe since my son is studying echo-location) so I keep thinking black and white(for the bone part). My mind is thinking literal images today. But I would also gather that black and white don’t make for great sales…. but since we buy everything you write anyway, it doesn’t make a difference to me! Just no people… I’ve had nightmares about the bad Jamie cast offs.
I don’t buy hardbacks, primarily because books I love I read over and over and replacing hardbacks gets expensive. And to keep my money tied up in a complete set of hardbacks means I have less disposable money for more books. Besides that, I also don’t lend hardbacks, one tends to never get them back.
Just because I don’t buy hardbacks doesn’t mean I’m not a hardcore, loyal fan and I don’t think that’s a fair assumption to make.
Dear night–
Hey, I have hardcore loyal fans who can’t afford to buy books and get them from the library or borrow them from friends. [g] I couldn’t care less what format people prefer, as long as they enjoy the books. (Mind, the _publisher_ probably cares, but I don’t.)
I can’t tell you how many sets of the PB I’ve run through (or how many I’ve given away as gifts *g*) but I have to say, had I found it necessary to replace hardcovers, I might not bother. I’d simply keep what I have and not read them anymore, wistfully petting them occasionally on the off chance that I would be reading something in them through osmosis.
As for giving a set of the hardcovers, *sigh* I wish. But that’s just not financially possible.
And I would think any really wonderful author *points finger at you, Diana* would feel the same, not caring about the format so long as his/her readers loved the stories.
Dear Diana,
The only area I feel strongly enough about to comment is: NO PEOPLE, please! No rippling muscles, no flowing hair or heaving bosoms, no lips parted in breathless anticipation…you get the idea. It’s a sad fact that most of the time your books are sold in the “Romance” section (ok, everyone–don’t get me wrong–I’m all for a little romance); put a picture like that on the front and it will only serve to categorize it as such further. Your books are so much more than that!
Thanks for letting me rant, and for asking your loyal fans to voice their opinions.
Many thanks for your wonderful tomes.
Dear girl–
Mm, no, actually they aren't normally found in the Romance section anymore. I got B&N to move them a couple of years ago, and Borders has been slowly moving them for quite awhile now–but the last few people who've mentioned looking for my books in a Borders have found them in "Literature." [g]
Hi Diana,
I live in a country that gets the UK versions of your books and really like the current covers. ABOSAA was particularly beautiful.
I am only familiar with the US jewel cover of Outlander. It is a very sophisticated and mature cover. The jewel colours also tie in nicely with the theme of gemstones that runs through your books. I don’t know what colours have already been used but perhaps the remaining books can be given colours that relate to the jewels used in the story, e.g. Jamie’s ruby ring, Nayawenne’s sapphire, the emerald, the black diamond, Mr Forbes’ stolen chrysoberyl, etc?
Diana,
I was recently in Scottsdale on a business trip and was excited to visit the Poisoned Pen during a conference break. The jewel toned books grouped together is such a striking display. I would hate to see that changed. I’m not sure about the shape thing…but as long as covers are clean and sharp I’ll usually bite. Thanks for all you do!
Diana, not to hijack this, but can you give any info at all on this article?
http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Highland-hopes-for-Hollywood-hit.4652352.jp
Nightsmusic.
Sorry this it OT too Diana, but some of those commenters on that article…I do not ‘heart’ them!
What DO most native Scots think of your books? Just curious now. Sorry.
Hi Diana
I will let my blogger identity photo do the talking for me
Janelle N