If this were a blog with sound effects, you’d hear a drum roll and you’d see me pull back a curtain to reveal the cover of A Bargain Struck, which comes out in September 2013. But alas, it’s a silent blog, so you’ll have to imagine the fanfare. In fact, you’ll have to imagine the curtain, too.
Right, drum roll. I’m pulling back the curtain ….
The Choc Lit cover designer has done it again! Thank you, Berni.
It’s an atmospheric cover, which recalls the wide plains of Wyoming in its colour tones. There’s a horse in the background and the wheel of a wagon in the foreground. Horses and wagons were very much a part of the life of homesteaders in Wyoming, 1887. There’s a child on the cover, too. Conn Maguire has an eight-year old daughter, Bridget.
As for what the book is about. Well, it’s about Connor Maguire, from Liberty, Wyoming Territory, and Ellen O’Sullivan, from Omaha, Nebraska.
What about them, I can hear you ask, a degree of impatience in your voice. But the answer to that I shall leave for another day. I’d rather keep the focus today on a cover which I’m sure will tempt the reader to take A Bargain Struck off the bookshelf and start on the journey to Wyoming that will bring them into the hearts of Connor and Ellen.
Nice one!! I’ve always wondered about the process of designing a book’s cover.
How much input were you able to have yourself, Liz?
John
I had a lot of input, John. The designer sent several possibilities to the Marketing Director and to me, and between us we came up with something we all liked. I know that I’m lucky to have had a say in the design – it doesn’t happen with all publishers.
Lovely colours, Liz. Excellent combination of photography and drawing.
It is, isn’t it! I’m thrilled with it.
I love it! It feels of the time somehow – think it’s the wagon wheel. 🙂 xx
I love the wagon wheel, too. It’s perfect. Conn and Ellen went everywhere by wagon, although they used a horse to get about the 160 acre homestead.
Great cover Liz and Berni. I love it.
LSX
Thanks, Sue. She’s a super designer. I was spoilt for choice – there was another I loved, too.
It’s beautiful Liz – gorgeous. Berni is rather good 🙂 Can so see why you love it so much. X
Many thanks, Sarah. I think Berni has a great eye. I could happily have gone with another she did, too.
Oh, I’m intrigued now, Liz! Can’t wait to hear more about the story. And the cover is fantastic. Hx
Thanks, Henri. I really like it. I think it’s just right for the story. I’ll say a little more about the book in next week’s blog.
That is soooooo good. You must be thrilled. Congratulations.
I am, thank you. I think we’re so lucky to have the input we have. Well done, Choc Lit, for letting us have a say!
Fabulous cover, Liz. You must be so thrilled . . . I must share with June Kearns (who’s written An English Woman’s Guide to the Cowboy). I bet you’d love each other’s novels. Am looking for pics for my new one which I’m currently writing – could present me with a few problems, however.
What are you writing about now, Lizzie?
I must look at June’s novel – it sounds fun. I love the ethos of the cowboy era, and have drooled at many screen cowboys in the past. A Bargain Struck is set in the year that marks the end of the cowboy era. I found the history of why that era came to an end really interesting.
Beautiful, Liz! Can’t wait till you reveal the blurb 🙂
I thought I’d say something more about it in the Choc Lit blog next Wednesday. It’s very difficult blurb to write as there’s something I don’t want to give away, and in avoiding doing so, I risk suggesting something that’s both wrong and cliched. I have seven days to try to get it right!
Another lovely Choc Lit cover – well done Berni! It is lovely to have a choice, isn’t it?
I think we’re very lucky to have some input into our covers. I ended up with two that I loved and would have been happy with either. I’m sorry for those who don’t have any say in the way that their novel looks to the world.
Very evocative cover, Liz. Well done, Berni – again. 🙂 Worth her weight in Chocolate that one. (Gold plated chocolate)
A chocolate Berni. Now there’s a thought!
Lovely Cover, Liz. What is it about Choclit – they hit gold with every book they produce. Sigh. Wish they’d enter my writing field…..
Many thanks, Carol. Choc Lit has fab designers and they get input from their authors. It’s an unbeatable combination. I think my cover is oerfect for the novel.
Wow. That’s a gorgeous cover.
I watched a lot of cowboy movies when I was young (My Dad was a fan). Your book sounds really interesting.
Thank you for your comment, Rhoda. I’m glad that you like the cover. I think it’s super. I, too, love cowboy films, but my novel is set just at the end of the cowboy era. Why that era came to an end will be clear from the novel.
It looks wonderful, Liz. I can’t wait to read it!!!
I do hope you enjoy it when you read it, Jean. We’ve both been to Wyoming. I hope that when you come to read it, you feel that I’ve captured the spirit of this interesting State.