Yesterday, I got the final three possible covers for If I Never through from my publisher. I’d been expecting them but, still, it was a nerve-wracking moment. Already well familiar with the work of Legend Press’s designer, I shouldn’t really have been worried — but seeing a visual representation of a piece of work you spent ten months working on for the first time… well, nine o’clock in the morning and I was wondering whether I should have a Jameson’s to steady my nerves (I didn’t!)
The first image was a gritty urban scene — brick wall with the title of the book written graffiti-like across it. Had there been no other options I would have been very happy to go with this one. However, I still had two more to look at!
Image number two was very blue and striking — a hand holding something I couldn’t quite make out and a figure sprawled in the road ahead. Excellent work but a little too “crime” for If I Never, I thought.
So far, the first image was a clear winner…
… and then I opened the final file and saw this:
To say I was blown away is to understate it. I immediately sent my publisher a text message (he was out of the office, hobnobbing with royalty yet again — go Tom!) letting him know my preference, and heard back from him a short while later saying that we were in agreement.
So the image above is now the final cover choice for my debut novel, If I Never. As I’ve already said, I am over the moon with it and would like to take this opportunity to thank Gudrun Jobst for the wonderful work she has done in creating this unbelievably atmospheric visual representation of my novel.
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To pre-order your copy of If I Never, please click here.
very nice work , i like it .
It is good, isn’t it? Very pleased with it.
I actually can’t wait until I get my copy now! I actually need a good book to read and have resorted to re-reading the books I bought when I was 12. haha.
Try http://www.goodreads.com/ . Great way to find good books. A bookish Facebook! 🙂
Awesome! I love it!
Bonnie and I were talking about you last night. We’re both very happy and excited for you, and looking forward to that delivery from Amazon! 😉
That’s really lovely, Lottie — I hope you both enjoy the book as much as the cover! 😉 Thank you!
Perfect! Congratulations, Gary – what an exciting moment!
Thank you! It is very exciting, indeed! All the more exciting because so many people are clearly enjoying it with me 🙂
Hiya!
I must agree, the cover is awesome!
Think I’m going to go and buy the book.
Looks like a very interesting read 🙂
Really pleased to hear that 🙂 Hope you enjoy the book. Let me know what you think — and don’t forget to tell your friends! 😉
Yes, I plan on mentioning it to my fellow twifties.
(TWFT- Teens Who Write For Teens)
http://teenswritingforteens.wordpress.com/
That would be wonderful. Thank you. (Excellent website, btw. Just had a quick look, but will have a more thorough read later. Keep up the good work!)
I love the cover, Gary! I also had the chance to read your sample chapter the other night! Oh my GOSH! Awesome! You are good and I really, really mean it!
You must be so proud of yourself, I can’t imagine having a book published! You did it! Yay!
I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I am just so happy for you!
Thank you so much, m’dear. That’s really lovely of you 🙂 I am extremely happy with the way everthing’s worked out. Still on cloud nine lol.
The cover looks brilliant – great feeling, isn’t it? I shall look forward to its release.
Came here via Goodreads, in case you were wondering.
Best
Nik
It’s a wonderful feeling, yes, Nik — and great to see you over here, incidentally. Goodreads is pretty good, isn’t it? Finding it helpful in so many ways.
All the best and hope to talk to you more so,
Gary.
Great to have found my way over here! I like Goodreads too – lots on there of use.
Not long till the book’s out eh? Exciting times!
Nik
Getting very close, now. Just seen the full (front, spine and back) cover. A few minor changes. Looks even better!
Just been having a look at your blog. Great work. Have put you in my feedreader.
All the best, mate.
This is a great cover, mate. Been ages since I’ve dropped in but glad to see all is going so well.
Best,
Matt