I’m exhausted. Two book club meetings, two release parties and a book convention all within the space of two months. And…they’ve all been entirely different experiences. I never know what people will ask or what interpretations they will have of what I consider a fairly easy to comprehend novel. The author never knows.
Two things I’ve learned:
- My readers are not an easy group to categorize. I thought women of a certain age but at release parties more men comment on the book than women – they loved it. Who’d have guessed? Not me.
- Never underestimate the power of a good book cover. Everyone wanted to know about the cover designers and what inspired them so here goes…
The inspiration behind the cover came about after a discussion of Fi’s journey. My niece was over and we were discussing the book and how not everything fit for Fi, about like trying to drive down a broken road – a very bumpy journey with the mystery. So, I started out by creating a few designs around the idea of a broken road. I didn’t like my initial designs and that is when my niece Kaira suggested we try broken glass. Originally were were going to shatter the image and have it fragmented on the cover, but we didn’t like how that was coming out. That’s when we left the picture alone and added broken glass to the cover. We loved this cover because it represented both the literal and figurative road that Fi had to travel in this story and how broken she was as a character. Her life kept shattering, changing, and yet she still traveled that road, letting nothing stop her. She walked through the broken glass and was the stronger for it.”
Very interesting, I admire your courage in leading these discussions.
Wow – you’ve been busy! This is great for your book so soon after publication – stressful though, I know!
How did you get your foot in the door with the book clubs? The only one I was invited to it turned out they were reading another book set in Colombia and just wanted to get my insights on the topic.
The first club was organized by a very good friend who’s been reading my stuff for twenty years! The second club I donated copies of the book to.
Half way through your book. you have captured the local color of Nevada very well. reminds me of when we were young. Jo Ellen would have loved it.
Thanks Dave! I hope you’re doing well. Your mom’s new place is fantastic. So glad she’s in a good place.