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!
Please do not change the cover on the new book so it doesn’t match the other Outlander novels. I like this series lined up on my shelf looking like they belong together. (Because they do!)
Thank you,
Kathryn
None of my editions match anyway, so what’s one more style change? {g}
Ummm…where did the “rubber ducky” come into it? Did I miss something?
I like your covers! But if they are redone, Please no faces. I like to get my own picture in my head.
Bugger, I cant afford to buy a whole new matching set if there are new covers!
Hi Diana
I would go with the black cover, with concentric circles emulating from the center in maybe a silver or bone colored type, similar to the other jewel toned books. It would have all the symbolism that your readers would know!
Shannon
I just saw color 222 from the link on the compuserve forum. Let’s just say, I went to my DG shelf, imagined Echo in it’s reserved place, and said, “OOOOOOH!” It’s wonderful! Thanks for the input and the final choice.
=^..^=
Diana,
I asked my male friend, who has all of your books, about his thoughts on new covers. His reply, “No way! I like them the way they are. I don’t want to feel that I have to hide in my bedroom to read them. I would feel that way if they had other covers on them, especially people!”
So… they is one male prospective on the subject. ; )
Dear Shannon–
No, the eighth book is black with jewels. [g]
Beth–
My editor said the book would probably sell if we put a rubber duck on the cover. [g] We hope he’s right, but still…
He’s right.
OTOH, it would probably also confuse people. (g)
Dear Beth–
Yes, I shudder to think of the avalanches of email that would result. [g]
My mom bought Outlander when it FIRST came out and I still LOVE that cover. It’s so intricate and pretty. And it looks respectable. I agree with the others that I would not like to see people on the cover (you can never get those 100%) but I also love the idea of having something that makes sense after you read the book. Just one old item skillfully drawn perhaps.
The jewel tones are ok. I’d probably like them more if I wasn’t in love with the first Outlander cover. My mom still has the book. It’s falling apart and all taped up b/c its been read so many times…
It’s been said before…
I vote jewel, not because I’m not open for change but because I really like the original design. Keep it simple, clean and somewhat uniform. :)Perhaps a map as “symbol”? I dunno.
The first six books look so nice together on my shelf, the design is great, and it would simply feel weird for the seventh book to stand out too much. Why change a winning concept.
Good luck with the writing!
Emma, Sweden
Someone said that a nice ivory color would be good…I agree….ties in the whole bone thing…it might show dirt easier, but it could look very nice with perhaps a celtic knot or symbol on the front, like the other covers? I do agree with everyone else though – humans on the front doesn’t sound like a good idea.
Oh gosh, please don’t change the covers! I already have three different sets of “the” books, paperback (US), paperback (UK), and hardcover (US). I haven’t got room for another set!
So much talk about the cover. If cover design was skipped (just the title and…by DIANA GALBALDON) perhaps the publishing date would be moved up. After all, sales are assured (we are all admitted addicts).
Covers are so important. I almost didn’t read _The Magicians and Mrs. Quent_ by Galen M. Beckett because I thought the cover was so awful and I bought _The Monsters of Templeton_ by Lauren Groff because the cover was so wonderful.
The jewel covers are good but I think it might be nice to have a new look? For instance, I’m excited about the graphic novel in part because it will bring a new element to the series and a new way of ‘seeing’ or experiencing it.
Dear Denece–
No, I’m afraid that skipping all talk about the cover would merely result in a dull cover. [g] I’m still *writing* the book; they can’t publish it ’til I’m done. That being so, they might as well think about the cover, the marketing, etc., etc. while I’m working.
Dear Diana,
Like others, I think, “If it’s not broken….”. I personally really like the jewel-toned covers with the simple icons.
What’s just as important to me is the heft, weight and the texture of the cover paper. I really like the texture of the jewel-toned covers. What is curious to me is why the cover of A Breath of Snow and Ashes is in shiny Silver, which neither matches the other jewel-toned copies in either hue or feel. I don’t like the silver as much as it shows more wear. I’ve read the series three times now, (since Sept 1st) and my copies of the first 5 books hardly look read, but the silver is showing some wear. Will there ever be a reprinting of A Breath of Snow and Ashes that will match the rest of the jewel-toned covers?
Additionally, I love the Lord John books and also appreciate the fact that they also match in style. They all look very nice together on my bookcase.
The first Outlander book I have I think is the first edition one that has the the images of the plaid, dirk, pearls and broken clock. I did find myself while reading the book looking at these images. I don’t know why I did maybe it was just to see what the pearls looked like, and being an Oklahoma girl, I had no idea what a dirk would look like. So, I must admit I do love this cover. I’m not saying it should be repeated, the rest of my books are the jewel colored ones and they are fine. But why not incorporate something from the story into the cover? Just a thought.