Well, look what showed up on Amazon!
The book won't be out till September 28 but it's nice to see its shining face at last.
I wrote a while back in my newsletter blog The Goodweather Report, about my trials with this cover and how I had to change my protagonist's hair color to suit the cover. I'm reasonably pleased with it (though her arms look a little weird to me -- and where's the rest of the fence? -- quibble, quibble.)
And I don't know why the bottle is there. Or what's in it.
Opinions?
And I don't know why the bottle is there. Or what's in it.
Opinions?
32 comments:
One suspects the girl has been drinking!
Congratulations, though!
vicki
Did they photo shop the girl from one image on to another?
Yes it looks like two different size and shape arms - and the bottle? does not belong -- it sets up a series of questions in the observers mind about the contents of the book-- "judge a book by its jacket" or is it cover? --- never-the-less you have some valid points that you make,
Having said that I am looking forward to reading the contents -regardless of the cover..
Joanny
PS
Ditto to Catalyst comment that is the first thought that struck me too.
Joanny
My first reaction when I saw the cover was that I liked it and that I thought you lucked out to get such a neat cover.
I didn't notice the arm, fence and bottle questions until I read your post. I guess the bottle is there to add to the mystery? I did notice the opening in the fence and thought that was a strange gate.
At least they didn't ask you to write the bottle and the fence opening in the story. I used to wonder if publishers didn't buy up covers and then have books written to match.
All in all... neat cover!
I like it, although I felt myself wanting to shout a warning to the girl and I'm not sure exactly why. Well, it made me curious, and I'm sure I won't be alone.
I'm with Callie .. my first reaction was that I liked it, but then looking at it and reading your comment, welllllll ....
The arms bother me ... they do not match. The fence is a little strange ... never seen one like that. The bottle ... well, I probably wouldn't have noticed it immediately as I was concentrating on the girl and her pretty dress. All in all, I do believe a reader looks at the cover when considering the book, but are they as critical as we are all being?
Vicki, I think the cover is very intriguing! Makes one want to read the book to see exactly what's going on - of course, I would want to read the book even without a cover.......Am anxiously awaiting September!!!
My first reaction was "ooooh, LOVE the cover!" It IS intriguing! It wasn't until reading your post that I noticed that the arms do not match; and you're right - they don't! What's with that?! The bottle is an extra added mystery and maybe it's an old fence and some of it just fell down. I do love her dress! the overall look is, I think, ghostly and lovely. and I can't wait to read the book!!
I think I like it. The bottle is a bit strange though. I mean what is the point of that? As for the hands/arms I really didn't notice at first glance that they were odd looking. Of course once you pointed it out, it was obvious. It's hard to tell, but the foot on the same side looks a bit oddish too---maybe they are trying for some kind of 'two worlds' sort of effect?? :-) I agree with Martin, as I want to warm the girl about 'something'... And yes..it is an odd piece of fence work..The girl herself and the dress though are very good. I'm getting anxious for it to come out now!
Enough said about the arms. I agree. However, the cover elements as a whole, a scene that suggests twilight more than day, a less-than-full bottle on the post, and a woman balancing on a fence rail while wearing a rather transparent dress with no half slip, creates a provocative scene that raises questions about what’s going on in that “dark mountain cove.”
Growing up in the mountains left lasting memories and still influences the way I view life. But from what little I know about Miss Birdie from previous reads, the cover raises questions about the title and increases my anticipation of reading the "Day of Small Things."
What more could an author want?
Well, my initial reaction is she's a ghost, and in reading the details about arms, etc, my view doesn't change. Especially with the dissovling right hand.
IS she a ghost?
My thought, too, Catalyst.
Joanny - I think it looks photo shopped. Random House and all publishers are tightening their belts. My last two books had covers painted especially for them -- this would have been a lot cheaper to produce.
Callie -- that was my first reaction too. And I think it's an effective cover. Lots of folks wouldn't notice those weird arms.
That's a good reaction, Martin. And relly, the job of the cover is to intrigue -- not to depict a certain moment in the book.
In a way, this depicts a psychological moment and does it well.
Right, Pat, I doubt many would be as critical as I am -- and even though I wish they'd fix those arms, I still think it's a good cover. The only one of my covers I really don't like is ART'S BLOOD -- and I don't hate it; I just think it's weak.
Thanks, Nancy -- Intriguing is the key! If it does that, it's done its job.
Thanks, Kaye -- I suspect that how most will feel.
And I do kinda like the look of the bottle, Tammy, even if I don't understand it.
Provocative! That's the ticket, Bo! Maybe I'll pick up some more readers of the male persuasion! (There are a few hottish scenes.)
No, she's not meant to be a ghost, Susan D. At least not by me. Heaven knows what the designer of the cover meant. Obviously he/she didn't read the book -- at least not much of it.
It looks like she is standing on one leg on the fence - not a good idea, or is she in the field beyond? Seriously though, it is mysterious! I like it but I would prefer the bottle wasn't there!!
I hope to get a signed copy of this book when it comes out?
Blessings, Star
Well, I like it. It's absolutely perfect. Her arms are compositionally in the perfect spot, and I like the openness of the break in the fence. She's wonderful as a brunette. More mysterious than blonde! Don't change a thing.
well, of course, she must have drinking the contents of the bottle. Why else would she be balancing on top of a freestanding gate when there is enough room to walk round the side of it.
I shall buy your book.
I like the bottle all right, Star -- it doesn't look like a liquor bottle to me. Too large.
Willow - I agree about the brunette -- which is why I went back and rewrote.
That's what I was afraid people would think, Friko. And while that could apply to another character in the book, it doesn't apply to the protagonist. Which is what makes me think that the person who did this cover only read a bit of the book -- the wrong bit.
nice. congrats that is awesome! i kinda like the bottle...a little randomness makes the mind wander...
My first thought was, "Why is she up on the fence when she could have walked right through it? I mean, you can see the gap to the right." Then I saw the bottle and thought, "Oh, that's why! That's a bottle of 'shine' and she's drunk!"
But that made me look again...and I thought, "No...she looks ethereal and mysterious...and it could be anything in that bottle...I can't wait to read the book!"
I think the cover will draw people in and make them want to read the book. I didn't notice the odd arms until you pointed them out. I have a friend who only buys books if they have a cover she likes. I just showed her this and, without knowing anything about what the book might be, she promtly said, "Ooh, that looks interesting! I want to read that when it comes out!"
Thanks, Brian -- a little randomness from Random House!
Ah, excellent, Victoria! Your friend's reaction is what the Art Department (and I) are hoping for!
I'm in agreement with most of the commenters-I looked at it and loved it-and then when back after reading your comments to look closer at the arms and the bottle.
To me-the girl looks like a young girl-free spirit-just wandering around with her mind day dreaming along. The bottle-made me think she was going to pick flowers to put in it-not that she was tipsy : )
Most of all-I CANNOT WAIT TO READ IT!!
Thank you yfor your intersting lesson of vocabulary!
Different ways of nursing ... very different from the roman point of view (infans :enfant)wether the child speaks or not ...
Of course,the french word inside the cajun word is very clear to recognize !
About your novel(Le secret des Appalaches", the translation is a very good one, except a little detail :
P.259
"une belle "de Shut In ...
instead of
"Une beauté" de
ou
"une belle (jeune ) fille de ...
Hi, Vicki! I am looking forward to reading it! Congratulations!
Only six more months, Wil and Tipper!
Thanks, Miss Yves! I think I see what you mean!
I just got a comment that my new book showed up at Amazon. strange that the author doesn't know the publishing date before the readers! your cover is gorgeous!
When will it be translated in french ?
Eliane, is your book published in English or German or maybe both?
Miss Yves - J'ai Lu, which published the French translations of the first two books has not, at this time, purchased the rights to any more. I hope they will but that's all I can do. Maybe if some French readers demanded more Vicki Lane books ...
I agree with some previous comments. I think it is photoshoped.
Nevertheless, congratulations !
Oh my gosh, I LOVE IT! Definitely has the "pick me up off the table" appeal, so fantastic! The overall look is really appealing and appropriately mysterious, I would never notice the little details, what a score this cover is!!! :)
Well, I'd pick it up and look at it, so the cover has done its job. Congratulations Vicki!
Thanks, Helene, Amelia, and jennyfreckles! If it makes people want to pick it up, that's a major step in the right direction!
Vicki I was away and am catching up. At first glance I thought the young girl is walking on the fence for sheer happiness. Without really thinking about it I knew that the bottle was there to catch Japanese beetles to entice them away from the rose bushes which are growing past the girl above the rest of the fence ( I used to have a bottle like that next to my bushes with some special mixture.) It’s a good cover – intriguing.
I agree, Vagabonde. I think she's just kind of balancing for fun.
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