Melissa C. Walker's Blog, page 38

Win-It Wednesday: 12 Days of Sockmas!

Last week's winner of Stalker Girl by Rosemary Graham is... Katie! Send me your address, K.

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This week, I'm glomming on to the I Heart Daily and Sock It To Me 12 Days of Sockmas contest. Go here for all the details, and if you already get the newsletter, you're automatically entered! Follow IHD on Twitter or Like IHD on Facebook for more chances to win. These socks are seriously cute (I have a mustache pair!).

Cover Stories: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

[image error] Kiersten White's Paranormalcy has a gorgeous, dark cover with lots of movement. Here she is to tell the story of how it came about:

"I went in knowing that authors don't have much say in covers so I really didn't have anything specific in mind. In fact, my editor asked me for ideas and I was like, 'Wait, what?? I have no ideas!' I didn't want to get attached to an image and then be disappointed in what ended up being used.

"That being said, I did have several things I didn't want. My greatest fear was that the cover would be hot pink and feature a headless torso.

"The one idea I had was two arms crossing the cover and holding hands in the middle--one glowing slightly, and one a nearly invisible outline, to represent the two main characters. I'm really, really glad they didn't listen to that. I also suggested a hand rising out of a grave and a pink booted foot standing on it, but it was way too Buffy-esque, and I'm again glad they didn't even consider it. At one point they told me they were playing with an extreme close up of eyes, which I liked because eyes are very important in the book.

"All along the way I was really hoping that my cover wouldn't feature a model.

"When I first saw the cover, I freaked out--in a good way. I was shocked that they went so dark and dramatic with it, but I was so, so pleased. I was worried because of the humorous tone that it would get a very playful treatment that wouldn't be very true to the darker elements of the book. So when I saw their initial concept with the foreboding, dark background and the full model in the foreground I was very surprised and very excited. All of my fears about using a model disappeared because it was such a striking image and felt atypical.

"We got the cover mock-up to get a feel for the design, which we loved, and then they sent it to us again when all of the elements were in place but still being tweaked. We suggested shifting the placement of the thistles in the foreground and softening some of the lines around the model.

"They took our comments to heart. Of course, we didn't suggest anything huge, but we really didn't need to since it was such a jaw-droppingly beautiful image. But they did change the thistles and fix some of the lines.

"They changed her dress to flow directly out instead of swooping down a bit first (and I'll admit I did like the swoop, but the flowing went over better onto the back of the cover), and adjusted some of the smaller elements. But it remained pretty much the same.

"They did a casting call and sent me the photos of the model they picked. I loved her because while she's obviously beautiful, she's also a little unusual looking and has striking eyes, which was important to me. My editor sent me video from the photo shoot, in which the poor model had four huge fans blowing on her and people all around holding her dress out with fishing line! They actually took a whole series of photos of her to use for future books, which was really great (see a shot from the shoot, below). I'm glad they planned ahead so we can have a consistent look. After that they put in the back- and foregrounds and type elements.

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"I think the final cover is a great representation of the book. Some people have complained that it's too dark, but I love the counterbalance of the dark, stormy sky with Evie's white blond hair and shimmering pink dress, because she really is this sort of beacon of hope and humor in a very dark, dangerous landscape. If I could change anything I'd have a hint of smile on her face, but all in all I think it's an incredible cover. And it did end up being an almost exact match to a scene in the book, which was awesome! All in all I feel incredibly fortunate that I ended up with a cover much better than I had imagined or hoped for. I love it! And just wait until you see the sequel's cover..."

Beautiful cover aside, this book sounds seriously good. Have you guys read it yet? What do you think of the cover?

PS-Here's the trailer, which makes me need it NOW.

Photo Friday: The Hazards of Dogsitting

Sometimes they chew up the book you're reading (and loving!). Matthew Quick, it'll be one more book sale for you -- I have to buy it twice because I am so into the story!

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Sigh. Happy Friday.

Win-It Wednesday + Cover Stories: Stalker Girl by Rosemary Graham

[image error] The winner of last week's copy of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer is... Ariel Wilson! Send me your address, A!

Rosemary Graham's Stalker Girl intrigued me instantly. I wouldn't quite use the "s" word about myself, but it wasn't far off at certain low points in my life, relationships-wise. Anyway, this isn't about me. It's about that compelling cover (and how you can win a copy of the book!).

Here's Rosemary:

[image error] "There were three versions of the cover prior to the final one. Or maybe I should call it the final final one because the very first cover I was presented with was deemed 'final' (right). I absolutely loved this first one from the moment I saw it even though it didn't actually make sense in terms the Stalker Girl plot. I loved how it suggested a New York skyline. I loved the knowing look in the girl's eye and a really loved her dress.

"Two months after this cover was presented to me as final, my editor wrote to say that sales and marketing people were having second thoughts. They felt that the girl looking right into the camera was wrong for the story, that there needed to be a sense of people being watched without knowing it. [image error] They also felt strongly that there should be a couple in the camera lens because in the story the stalker is stalking her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend. I completely understood and accepted the reasons for the change. However, I was not happy with the new image (left).

"For one thing, I felt like the urban feel of the first was lost. That couple might have been walking along Fifth Avenue, in front of Central Park, but there was nothing to strongly indicate an urban setting. Also? As a friend of mine said, it was 'a bit hair swingy.' Also? The girl was wearing a bright pink shirt and since my second novel's hardback cover had been very, very pink, I was hoping to avoid pinkness and the whole chick lit question this time around.

[image error] "My editor and the art department were very receptive to my concerns but there was a limited budget, which ruled out a photo shoot. They'd have to work with stock images. The next version had the urban feel, but I felt strongly that the models were wrong for the book (right).

"They looked too old and too groomed. While my editor was still supportive, it was clear that we were running out of time and options. They were going to give it one more try. Then my editor sent the last option. I clicked on the attachment with a bit of trepidation. I was thrilled and relieved to find the existing cover. Everything was there: the urban feel, the right-aged characters, a sense of voyeurism.

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"I love the cover, and so appreciate the care that went into designing it."

Thanks, Rosemary! What do you guys think of the cover, and the earlier versions? Each commenter will be entered to win a copy of the book.

PS-There's a great trailer too! Rosemary says, "To create the trailer for Stalker Girl, I must have looked at hundreds of images of New York on Flickr. The images I used--all Creative Commons licensed--really capture the mood of stalker girl. I feel like any one of them could also be used to create an evocative a cover for Stalker Girl."

Cover Stories: Girl Stolen by April Henry

[image error] April Henry's Girl Stolen is about a girl who's asleep in her mom's car when the car is stolen, with her inside. Also, she's blind. Stakes? HIGH.

Here's April to talk about the cover:

"I have to confess that I am not good at visualizing covers for my own books. I love book covers and am also married to a graphic designer who asks for feedback, but that's more reacting than acting, so I did not give any input.

"My agent had a comp in hard copy and mine hadn't arrived yet. She told me she loved it. I was dying of curiosity! She managed to take a slightly blurry photo of it with her camera phone and then emailed it to me. When I saw it, I fell in love, too.

"My editor and I discussed little changes. For example, the girl is wearing fingernail polish on the cover. In the book there is no mention of her wearing fingernail polish, but I decided it was something Cheyenne might do to fit in, so I suggested adding a line about it.

"Initially, the polish looked a little uneven, so it was plausible that a blind girl had done it. Then they decided to scuff up her nails so that they looked more like she had been fighting (she's been kidnapped). The cover designer told me that all the fingernail polish, in whatever state, was added in Photoshop.

"We also discussed whether there should be any punctuation on the cover, and I was presented with two covers to choose from.

"The photo is of art director Rich Deas' neighbor. He told me has used her before for other covers. He also told me, 'When possible, I like to create images with my own photos and illustrations. It feels more natural than looking through a million images trying to find something that almost suits what I am looking for.'

[Rich shared the below images with April, which include more of his ideas/mockups that got them to the final cover]:

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"I love everything about my cover -- especially the little sliver between two fingers where you can just see her right eye. I hope Rich works on my next cover."

Thanks, April! Girl Stolen is a part of The Contemps Challenge (which you should be accepting right about now, if you haven't already). Hello!

Read April's fascinating interview with Rich about this cover design on her blog. I think this final cover is chilling, and I love the details in it (nail polish, her ring, even the longish sleeves on her shirt, which looks like one of those knit undershirts I always wear in winter). I also love seeing the original ideas and the covers that Rich contemplated.

What do you guys think?

Cover Stories: Girl Stolen by April Henry

[image error] April Henry's Girl Stolen is about a girl who's asleep in her mom's car when the car is stolen, with her inside. Also, she's blind. Stakes? HIGH.

Here's April to talk about the cover:

"I have to confess that I am not good at visualizing covers for my own books. I love book covers and am also married to a graphic designer who asks for feedback, but that's more reacting than acting, so I did not give any input.

"My agent had a comp in hard copy and mine hadn't arrived yet. She told me she loved it. I was dying of curiosity! She managed to take a slightly blurry photo of it with her camera phone and then emailed it to me. When I saw it, I fell in love, too.

"My editor and I discussed little changes. For example, the girl is wearing fingernail polish on the cover. In the book there is no mention of her wearing fingernail polish, but I decided it was something Cheyenne might do to fit in, so I suggested adding a line about it.

"Initially, the polish looked a little uneven, so it was plausible that a blind girl had done it. Then they decided to scuff up her nails so that they looked more like she had been fighting (she's been kidnapped). The cover designer told me that all the fingernail polish, in whatever state, was added in Photoshop.

"We also discussed whether there should be any punctuation on the cover, and I was presented with two covers to choose from.

"The photo is of art director Rich Deas' neighbor. He told me has used her before for other covers. He also told me, 'When possible, I like to create images with my own photos and illustrations. It feels more natural than looking through a million images trying to find something that almost suits what I am looking for.'

[Rich shared the below images with April, which include more of his ideas/mockups that got them to the final cover]:

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"I love everything about my cover -- especially the little sliver between two fingers where you can just see her right eye. I hope Rich works on my next cover."

Thanks, April! Girl Stolen is a part of The Contemps Challenge (which you should be accepting right about now, if you haven't already). Hello!

Read April's fascinating interview with Rich about this cover design on her blog. I think this final cover is chilling, and I love the details in it (nail polish, her ring, even the longish sleeves on her shirt, which looks like one of those knit undershirts I always wear in winter). I also love seeing the original ideas and the covers that Rich contemplated.

What do you guys think?

Photo Friday: Max the Dog

Dave and I are dogsitting for this guy.

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He's big but sweet.

Happy Friday!

Win-It Wednesday: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

The winner of last week's contest for Rosebush by Michele Jaffe is... Sarah, who was reading Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. Send me your address, S!

[image error] This week's prize: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. Oh, how I love this cover (and its origin story), and now you know this: The book is fantastic, too! It's smart and well-paced and full of rich history. So, you know, you want to read it.

I have one lovely hardcover to give away, so if you'd like to enter to win it, leave a comment sharing your six-word memoir for the past week. (I love this game.)

Mine would be: Instead of working out, ate Cheetos. I really need to get back to yoga.

Tell me yours and you're entered! I'll pick a winner next week.

Happy Wednesday!

Cover Stories: Matched by Ally Condie

[image error] Ally Condie's Matched was just named #1 on the Winter 2010/2011 Kid's Indie Next List. And its cover is up there among the best of the year too, so I asked Ally to tell that tale, and here she is:

"I didn't have anything in mind for a cover. I'm not a very creative person visually. I certainly appreciate it in others--my mother is a professional artist, and I have grown up appreciating visual art in its many forms--but my mind doesn't seem to work that way. So, I was just excited to see what the designers had in mind!

"My publisher asked for ideas, and I didn't really have any suggestions for them.

"Honestly, when I first saw the cover I wanted to cry. Tears of joy. I thought it was perfect. The model is just how I pictured Cassia looking, but I like that she's in profile so we can imagine her features. The dress is beautiful and has significance to the story, as does the bubble/glass world and the color green. And that particular shade of green they selected is beautiful. I am also a fan of very clean design, and this cover has that in spades. Theresa Evangelista was the designer for the cover and she is amazing.

"Before this cover, there was another concept that Penguin had that we didn't use. It was also beautiful, but this one is even better.

"The final cover was shot with a model. And, in this case, it was a self-portrait! The model and photographer are one and the same, a very talented young woman named Samantha Aide.

"I love my cover. It's a beautiful piece of art and I feel incredibly lucky that such talented people worked on the project. I did find one little piece of hidden meaning that I didn't notice at first. In the book, there are three important tablets that the characters take. The tablets are red, green, and blue. If you look closely at the bubble, you can see very subtle red, green, and blue highlights along the surface. I love that. I think the cover relates to the story in the book perfectly--Cassia is trapped in this beautiful, protective, but ultimately imprisoning world. And, in the end, it is a world that she can break, if she so chooses."

Thanks, Ally! I love the colors and the glimmering magic in this cover. I can't believe the photographer and subject are one and the same--what a cool trick. I also found this cover, which may be another version (UK?). I'm not sure... but it adds the tagline, a blurb and changes the title color.

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What do you guys think of the cover?

PS-Here's the news on Crossed , the sequel to Matched.

Photo Friday: Family

I promise that Photo Friday will not become "Old Family Photo Friday," but I had to just add these black-and-whites that I came across recently in a shoebox....

My grandmother Carol at her gradution:

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My dad, center, on a ship (this was likely during his ROTC college years... love that hat!):

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Don't you just love opening up a box and finding treasures like these?

Happy Friday! I'm baking gingerbread cookies (in the most fashionable apron I own). You?