Wednesday, June 11, 2008

When Danger Calls

Yesterday Five Star sent me the first peek at the cover for my December release, When Danger Calls.


Despite a signed contract, three rounds of edits and getting cover quotes from authors, the book doesn't seem real until there's a cover. No matter that I don't have page proofs yet, or ARCs. Once there's a cover, it's a BOOK!

My first impression? It's BLUE. But I think it says "action adventure" more than "romance", which I like. And they spelled my name right.

9 comments:

Dara Edmondson said...

I like it. And it's taken directly from one scene, a plus in my book!

Terry Odell said...

Yes, although the cover seems to look a bit "dead of winter", the artist obviously read the cover request form. And since I said 'Montana Mountains', not 'Montana Mountains in springtime', I can't really complain that it's not perfect.

Unknown said...

I like it!

Nancy J. Cohen said...

It looks great, Terry. Definitely action adventure! Maybe this one will draw some male readers too.

Savanna Kougar said...

Terry, I hate to be a downer. So please forgive me. But would a bonafide romance reader really be compelled to pick up the book, unless the person already knew you as an author?
Of course, if it's in the romance section and they're looking for action/adventure I could be all wet. The cover certainly covers that base. And actually I like the helicopter rescue scene, that's cool -- but what the heck is all that blue? It doesn't look like a sky, not any kind I've ever seen.
Now, in print with the title, it may have a much better appearance. As mere art pixels on a computer screen, I think it's lacking, so far.
I'm over critical when it comes to cover art, so I could be all wet. Warning, this is just my opinion.

Terry Odell said...

No offense taken, Savannah. It is a bit overwhelmingly blue. But it is an action adventure romance, and should be in the romance section of the library (the target sales point for Five Star).

I think the blue is supposed to show that it's night time. Actually, I just went to my bookshelf and looked at a random stack of books and there are a lot of monochromes in there. I didn't want the 'hovering hero/heroine' look or anything that said 'category romance'.

Check out some of the recent Suzanne Brockmann, who writes action adventure romance, or Roxanne St. Claire's new trilogy. They're more about mood than story.

Not that my small press is in any competition with the big NY art departments, but authors usually have very little to say about the cover. I don't think the artist used stock images for the cover; he's an actual "artist".

But I agree -- name recognition is vital. Which is probably why getting one's name in bigger letters OVER the title is a major coup for an author. Their name is what's selling the book.

Maryannwrites said...

Very nice cover, Terry. It is definitely BLUE, but it is very appealing.

Helen Scott Taylor said...

Hi Terry,

I saw your comment on Title Magic and came over to check out your cover. This says action adventure to me--very strongly. I think Savanna has a good point that it doesn't give any indication it's a romance, but if it's shelved with romance as you say, that won't be an issue. I don't have a problem with all the blue. I like it!

Terry Odell said...

Thanks, Helen. I hope the book's 'innards' will meet expectation.