Thursday, October 1, 2009

love at first look

Today I opened an email file and saw the cover of Courting Morrow Little for the first time. My heart was singing! Morrow is just right. Her 18th-century gown is exquisite. The setting around her is quite dramatic and fits the tone of the book. She looks tense, determined, vulnerable - an unusual medley of things. It left me wondering how the art team could know just what to do when they likely haven't read the book. But then I remembered something a famous Chinese artist (and Christian) once said - that all creative gifts spring from One Source. And I really believe Revell's art team is inspired:) I liked the cover for The Frontiersman's Daughter very much. But I love this one.

I can't wait to show it to you readers here. I should be able to post in early November. If that sounds far off, remember it's October as of today:) I think the sales team and other departments have to have a look first before it's finalized. Covers do change. When I posted the cover for The Frontiersman's Daughter last year, I think I had one reader - my mother! So it will be fun to hear your comments. I hope you leave lots of them.

Book-love, I say again, lasts throughout life, it never flags or fails, but, like beauty itself, is a joy forever.
Holbrook Jackson

16 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see the cover...and yes, you'll have more fans this time than your mom...although I bet she's your best and most loyal fan, as it should be! Looking forward to reading the book, and the one after, and the one after, and the one after.....

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  2. I truly believe when a writer prays and asks His help, He provides in every way. In writing the two books in my series (so far), I've told the two different artists who drew my covers the storyline and roughly what I had in my mind. God gave them the vision that was going through my head (which can be scary! Heheheheee) and they literally drew/painted exactly what I saw. It had to be God... no ifs, ands, or buts.

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  3. How exciting! The whole process you are going through and taking all of us readers through is just the most wonderful trip of all! What I love about your blog ,Laura, is that you have let us know what all goes into to the process of the author/publishing world....quite a complex and step packed thing! And now you have us on pins and needles waiting to see the cover. When you mentioned the dress.....I want to see it now!!Wait!....it's October already?? How can that be?.....just yesterday it was.....oh, my how time flies. {: Congratulations....I can just imagine how excited your family must be.....and you as well! Blessings,Kathleen

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  4. Kathleen, I so love your enthusiasm:) The publishing process is quite a journey and the cover is my favorite stop along the way, almost as nice as holding the finished book in hand 9 months later:) A book really is like a baby! I sometimes think I should talk more about writing but there are so many blogs about writing and publication out there that I decided to do a mix. I'm so glad I met you through Lisa. Wonder if she even knows?!
    I wish I could just post that cover right now! I did show it to my husband and sons who said they think it's just amazing - they like it better than the first book. So now I have a month to look forward to sharing it here. Yipee! Bless you today!

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  5. Patti,
    Love your emphasis on the next book and the next and the next... I'm thinking hard about my next 3 books since they tend to be contracted in groups of 3. Prayers appreciated! Can't wait to share that with you all here as well:)Hope the sun is shining in Kentucky today. Only 31 more days and I fly in for the book fair:)

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  6. Dana,
    So glad to hear from you here! You understand so well. The Lord really does work in unusual ways. I've been praying about this for months now, asking that it be just the cover and title He wants. You're right - there's no other accounting for how artists are able to take our small ideas and produce such amazing things! More than anything, it shows that He knows our hearts and wants to delight us with even something as small as a book cover:)

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  7. I can't wait to see this cover and can't wait to meet this young lady Morrow Little whom you have created!

    I wish you already had a plethora of books for me to read. I am floundering to find a good one. The "good" one I told you about the other day--TAD--turned out to be a dud. But it is fun being along on the journey as you create each one!

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  8. Mary, I wish I had a plethora of books for you to read, too:) I've also been in a reading slump lately and have come across some unappealing heros for some reason. I think the more we read the harder it is to find just the right book that satisfies on all levels.
    So glad you want to meet Morrow. She is very unlike Lael but very interesting - at least I hope you'll agree. Can't wait to hear if you like the cover!

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  9. Laura, I'm delighted to hear that you've seen your cover and are so happy with it. Must feel wonderful to have the Revell team capture the heart of your story and bring Morrow Little to life so well. I'm looking forward to the debut.

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  10. Glad you love the cover and looking forward to seeing it in a few weeks!

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  11. Hi Keli,
    I think you'll really like the cover, too. Very romantic and dramatic looking:) My marketing manager at Revell said she's been "dying" to have me see it as it is so stunning. I'm sorry you appreciative folks have to wait - but soon! God is so good to honor the desires of our hearts through artistic cover designs. If I couldn't write I'd love to do cover art - and play the violin:)

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  12. Rebecca,
    It's great to hear from you again! I really hope you like CML's artwork as you see so many books!
    One of the reasons I appreciate your blog is that you post such a wide selection of beautiful covers - and then you do the same on your Amazon list, which is a favorite as well. In fact, your list often clues me in on books I had no idea were out there. So please keep up the good work:)

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  13. I am soooo excited for you, Laura! Can't wait to see the cover, AND READ THE BOOK!!!!

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  14. i'm sure you'll get more comments now... that's funny, that your mom was your only reader then. I think you have developed quite a following.

    looking forward to meeting Morrow!

    enjoy the cool fall day but don't run your family out of the house by stoking the fire too much!!! ha ha

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  15. Ashli, I so love your excitement! When I rec'd the cover I thought of you and Becca right away:) I wish it didn't take so long to post but it will be very worth it, believe me! Guess I can brag a bit cuz I didn't have a thing to do with it! Bless you today!

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  16. Lisa, You would laugh - we forgot all about the woodstove and my husband built this HUGE bonfire out of a big stump in the backyard yesterday. The smoke and heat just about sent us running. I smell like smoke and I'm in the house!

    So glad you want to meet Morrow. She is one of a kind as the cover shows!

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