Check it Out!
What do you think?? I love it. Still a long time until this will be in the bookstores, but publishers come up with covers early (usually) so the sales force has them on time. Often there are some small (again, usually) changes between this version and the final, but I’m delighted.
The house in my story is circular, but I can see how that would have been difficult for the art department to capture without it looking like a spaceship. I think this house is evocative of the story’s feeling and atmosphere.
How pretty! Isn’t it interesting how the covers seem to trend? Seems like there are lots of gorgeous, vibrant covers going out right now in women’s fiction with this kind of feminine, retro looking clothing and the character from the back or neck down, etc. I love them! I’d definitely pick this one up even if I hadn’t heard of you because that red dress would draw me like an arrow to a bull’s eye. It really “pops,” as they say.
Hmm….round house! Sounds intriguing, too.
I LOVE it Diane! It’s simply beautiful and is everything a reader would want in order to escape into the story…when my friend Laura and I looked at it this a.m. we both had the same response; ohhhhhhhhhhh it’s gorgeous. This cover definitely has an incredible story behind it. (-:
Beautiful! Can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands.
How intriguing! Margo – you are so right – it definitely suggests a story. I love it!
This cover reminds me of the houses on the Outer Banks, Cape Hatterras. Great coloring. Circular house, does it have a porch all the way around it? Can’t wait to read this one. Dottie
Julie, you’re so right about trends in books. Different things seem to sell well at different times. I hope red dresses sell well next June.
A question for all of you. If you were reading a novel about a circular house, but this house was on the cover, would it bug you? I’m trying to figure out if I should change the house in my story as long as I’m still doing revisions (sigh). It wouldn’t be the first time I changed a story to fit a cover!
I don’t know, Diane. It might catch my eye after I finished reading and then sat sighing looking at the cover. I read a book once where the girl on the cover was so NOT like the main character, even though the cover was gorgeous, and it bugged me a little, and I saw comments here and there in Amazon reviews or other places about the same thing, but it was a pretty drastic change (Madame Mirabou’s School of Love, by Barbara Samuel).
The response from more seasoned folks was that it wasn’t supposed to exactly match the story, it was just supposed to evoke the right mood, which it did, pretty much. Your cover definitely evokes a mood, and I’d guess it was right on. It could probably be any house in the area, really.
I think the idea of the circular house is so intriquing and unique that I’d hate to give it up if I were you.
Not any way your artist or publisher will revise it? If not, I just wouldn’t worry about it!
Guess I better get to bed or I’m going to lose my midnight hour of reading completely. Oh, wait, I am reading. Blogs.
Diane, I love the idea of the circular house because of the uniqueness of it. Way back when you blogged about it and showed us a pic. I thought your graphic version was excellent and even tho I love this cover, I do wish they were showing the round bungalow. To me, it would be even more intriguing to open the book. Unless I’m mistaken, the idea of the Sea Tender being round is probably part of the magic of this story.
Even tho the round house is not on the cover, it doesn’t bother me to see a typical beach cottage. As Julie said, the house shown on the cover could be any of the cottages in the area. PLZ keep the Sea Tender round. (-:
I love this cover, the sky is gorgeous. And what a great quote!!
I don’t think it will matter. To be honest, I pay little attention to covers especially with a great author (such as you). I know what is inside count. Dare I be “sickening” and say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Sorry girls…
The cover is lovely, Diane.
I am going to add one thing-this is probably ridiculous. I have friends/teachers who do NOT LIKE j. Pic. books. Sorry-that’s the way it is. To put that quote on the front might turn off some readers. I do not think that your books are like hers at all. I like her books, but they are different. Hopefully, that quote will not be on the final copy…
Sorry-had to say that…
P.S. All of you know-as do my students at high school and college-and my friends across the country–who teach-that D. Chamberlain is my favorite. I have gotten so many of them to read your books, Diane, and they LOVE THEM. I just think comparing one author with another-on the book-might limit your reader. I LOVE Jodi’s books…but…just a thought
Brenda, it’s certainly a concern I have as well. . . but let’s get real. Who has the household name–Jodi Picoult or Diane Chamberlain? It’s a quote that hugely helps the marketing department sell me to their distributors. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s from a beloved women’s fiction author, Mary Alice Monroe. Unfortunately, as we’ve discussed before on this blog, my books are extremely hard to pigeonhole, which makes them hard to market. Pairing my name with a very popular author’s name helps.
That said, I do share your concern. If the quote is on the final cover, I’ll just have to count on you to set all my potential readers straight!
Margo-did you ever read 19 Minutes by J. Picoult…? Believe it or not, one of my students is reading it-her mom gave her permission-a little 9th grader. She relates to the class what she is reading…they are entranced. This time, they were given the choice (by yours truly) to choose a book…9th grade level…many chose very young books-some branched into adult books-not many-It is strange teaching 9th grade after having seniors for so many years-but my last year teaching 8th prepared me. Hard to go from 9th and l0th in high school over to college at night…However, some of the challenges are the same. Had to laugh at the men and women the other night who asked me, “Do we get extra credit for walking you to your car?”
During the day, I am the sweet NANA nurturing students who turn to me for everything..>At night, I am mom…funny… Anyway-Margo-read that book…it is something else. I am pretty sure Diane has read it.
Krysia=how are you doing? How is the job and house?
P.S. Kathy, I would have been glad to wear your t-shirt. I still wear the one B. Delinsky sent me “The Summer I Dared…”
That blog was great-those of you who don’t read Kathy’s blog–she is great, and her book is too (Real Women Wear Red)
Diane-we need a tshirt with your name…The book- A lighthouse and Keeper of the Light…and BEFORE THE STORM…You wouldn’t believe the comments I have gotten with that t-shirt at M. Beach, S.C., Miami B., Florida…at the Y…etc…(Delinsky’s)
Hi brenda, no I haven’t read 19 MINUTES…actually, have never read Jodi Picoult. Quess I’ll have to give her a try 1 of these days. Diane, you ARE a household name in our home…believe me. And anyone who comes into my home can’t miss the row of books on my shelf, all with your name on them. (-:
Margo-loved Mitchard’s latest…and girls-you should see the “red” cover of Woman in Red by Goudge ????spelling…must be the year for red.
Diane-I am noticing covers more now…
I can hardly wait to read after The Storm ….I only live about 45 minutes from Topsail Island & love it down there . ….I also think the cover is absolutely beautiful .It seems like your books all have very bright & eye catching cover & of course wonderful stories …I have introduced you to several friends of mine & now they are also reading all your books …I have to be honest…you are my favorite author !!! I’ll be first in line at the bookstore to get after The Storm the minute it comes out …
thanks for all your hard work …:>)
Susan Manning
Thanks, Susan, I’m delighted to be your favorite author! This book is actually called BEFORE THE STORM. The sequel will be AFTER THE STORM (I think. . . ). I hope to do a signing at Quarter Moon Books in Topsail Beach next June when B the Stm comes out, so keep an eye on my events page and come if you’re able.
I LOVE the cover but have to agree with Brenda about the quote. I bought THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES because I couldn’t resist the cover and I think this one is also that good!
Sorry about that , I knew the name of the book was Before The Storm ….:>) I will definitely watch the events page & try my best to be at Topsail at the book store to get my book …On one of the comment pages someone was talking about a round house. Well there is a round house in Swansboro, N.C. It is probably the oldest house there & sits in a cove off the White Oak River … but is visible from the Hwy going into Swansboro …I have been told that during the civil war it was only accesible by boat .. It has been restored after all these years & is used by the Mason Organization in Swansboro …, yes, it has a covered porch all the way around the house . It is ao pretty & historical .
Wow, Susan, that sounds like one old house! Great that it’s been restored. And I hope to meet you in Topsail in June.
Lorene, you and Brenda are worrying me about the quote, but only a little. I’m so glad you like the cover!
Diane-you are the professional-not me. Forget us. You know best. YOUR BOOK IS going to sell no matter what is on the front…that’s the way it is. I have already sent the word across the nation too.