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I just got the cover proof for the UK edition of AN ECHO IN THE BONE. As usual [g], this is Completely Different from the US design–but also different from the most recent UK versions of the series cover, because we have a new UK publisher for ECHO–Orion.
The cover is really striking, and I like it (slight quibble with the typography and balance of the title, but art departments routinely mess with those things; this isn’t a finished product, by any means).
Anyway, I asked the editor whether Orion would mind my showing it to you–since y’all were so interested and helpful in the question of the new US cover–and he said that would be great; he’d be very interested to hear your comments.
Only difficulty being that I don’t know whether I can insert a .jpg into this blog–or if so, how. Do any of y’all have any good technical advice? (If I can’t post it here, I’ll put it up on my website, but that takes a bit longer.)
Thanks!
OK, I _think_ I’ve got it. Let’s see now…OK! I think it worked.
Really striking, as I say–the gradations of blue are gorgeous; don’t know how well they’ll show up here. And the leaf in the center is–they tell me–going to be embossed in gold foil, so will be much more visible. (I was impressed that somebody thought about it enough to come up with the skeletal leaf as a non-bony [g] metaphor for the title.)
Anyway, let me know what you think!
Yes, I really did get the possibility of the skeletonized leaf as bone.
Someone suggested using a leaf of a tree native to NC. They did! This could well be a redbud leaf. Redbuds are also known as Judas trees. And we know there will be betrayal. There always is.
Here’s a link to some redbud pics:
http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/redbud/redbud.html
The font chosen for the title goes well with the time period in which the book is (largely) set. I like it!
Love it!! The colors are wonderful!
Oops, sorry for my confusion about the caltrop (USA) and the leaf (UK). Just a thick heided newcomer here, still catching on, thanks for the enlightening symbolism 101 explanation too!! We get it! and really like it!!! Good thing for us you not only are a wonderful writer, but patient with the fans too!!
I just feel a little like Jamie, scratching my head and maybe giving a little shrug. “Oh aye? Well, if ye say so.”.
Are we really getting the caltrop on the US version? You’ve decided?
Dear Renee–
Well, I said that's what _I'd_ like <g>–and my editor asked me to send him some images for the art department to play with, which I did.
I did–after seeing the UK cover–email him to say that IF the caltrop can't be made to look aesthetically pleasing or doesn't work for some reason…I'd be amenable to a skeleton leaf. <g>
I think it’s beautiful. Very exciting to see what the UK cover will look like. I will be more excited to see what the US cover will be. The blue is pretty and I like the skeletal leaf. No rubber duckies though hmmmm? I was almost looking forward to that…heh
Gator:
I think you're right, it could very well be a redbud leaf. I have a small redbud tree in front of my house (in North Carolina) and the leaves look very much like that. I don't know if they "skeletonize", though, as I didn't think to save one from this year's batch to study. <g>
Karen
Jen:
Every time the "rubber ducky" thing is mentioned around here, I get a mental picture of Jamie, looking bewildered as Claire tries to explain to him what a rubber ducky is for. <g>
Considering how time-consuming and labor-intensive it was in those days just to heat enough water for a bath, I would think the concept of a toy designed specifically for children to play with in the bathtub would have seemed pretty bizarre to someone from the 18th century. <g>
(Sorry, I just couldn't resist…)
Karen
Gorgeous, Diana. I like this better than the US covers. Except for the title font. That does need some tweaking.
Overall is has a nice sense of depth.
I love the cover. I hope the US version is as nice. The blue is striking and the skeletal leaf design is perfect. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks.
Diana– There speaks a woman who knows she’s got her readers hooked.
Caltrop, skeletal leaf…I’m anxiously waiting to see what’s in store this time for the Frasers, assorted adopted Frasers, illegitimate Frasers, MacKenzies, Murrays and whoever else enters their lives to wreak havoc.
I understand what you mean about the title font. It is OK, but not great. It would be fine if left that way, but I think it would look better if it was tweaked a bit. But, I LOVE the cover!! I have been waiting for a blue cover, since it is my favorite color! I hope it turns out looking like that when it comes out in the US! Is there a set release date yet? Last I heard it was Fall ’09.
Dear Diana,
The cover is striking. My first impressions are: (1) the depth of the blue suggests a rich, full story; (2) the skeletal leaf is a nice play on the title; and (3) the font of the title evokes ‘historical’ rather than ‘murder mystery.’ I agree that the title needs to be rebalanced. And your name should be set in a cleaner serif font.
If I wasn’t already waiting impatiently…er…on the lookout for _Echo,_ this cover would draw my attention.
Shirley Williams
Diana,
Beautiful cover, but the first impression I got was that it is going to be a dark story within those pages. OK, so you don’t judge a book by its cover, but…
It looks awesome..
Dear PowerSamurai–
Well, it _is_ set in the middle of the American Revolution. <g> Not all fun and games, I mean, though I imagine there will be a few giggle-worthy spots.
It’s absolutely gorgeous. This is the kind of cover I’d pick up in a heartbeat.
Oh, and the leaf looks to me like an aspen leaf, which I’m not sure grow in the Blue Ridge. But it might also be a redbud, which are distinctly heart-shaped and native to the region.
Oh Diana! It’s beautiful! This is a cover that would catch your eye from across the room! The colour is perfect, don’t change a thing. The richness of the blue is truly stunning.
Personally I like the font – very ‘stone’ like – but perhaps not as crisp as some people would like.
The only artistic quibble I have is the balance [esp. between title and author, popularity of author notwithstanding!!;)]
I so hope the north american version is similar/same!