It’s something I’ve waited over a year for. Wondering what, having read my novel, will the designer come up with? Will it capture the spirit of the story? If the characters are represented, will they be as I imagined them? I tried not to engage in picturing what I would do for the cover art, so as not to be disappointed. I’ve seen many of the beautiful jackets Bloomsbury design, and I put my trust in them that they’d ‘get it.’
Still, when I the jacket proposal was emailed to me it made me cry. In a good way.
Since then, in the last two weeks, we’ve bounced ideas backwards on forwards with my editor, my agent and the designer on possible teaks or changes, but in the end we’ve ended up very close to the original proposal. Here is the final jacket, and huge thanks to Holly Macdonald, for taking good care of Margot & Pea:
Publication has come forward slightly, so The Night Rainbow will be out in hardback next February. I may have to go and have a lie down now.
Absolutely beautiful! Can’t wait to read it x
Thank you, Nettie! I means a huge amount to me that others like it too!
What a beautifully elegant cover design! I really like it – and love how your name is at the bottom, and the script of the title. Am looking forward to launch day. 🙂
Thank you so much! The book is going to be beautiful *happy dance*
*blart*
so very very proud – and that’s just vicariously, so you must be about to pop!
fabulous xxxxxxx
Am very poppy indeed! Also, one month less to wait until it comes out. Hurrah!
Congrats! Really attractive cover Claire. One that would have me buying it! Happy tears are the appropriate emotion I’d say!
Oh hurray! Thank you!
Gosh, that’s stunning. Everyone at Bloomsbury seems to ‘get’ this book. ‘Elegant’ really is the word for this. So looking forward to reading it now.
Thank’s Pete. I think they really do. I’m so lucky with my publisher 🙂
What a beautiful book jacket, I would definitely pick this book up for at least a quizzical inspection to see what wonders unfolded in the story … and knowing you wrote it is astounding!! Well done Claire, I can’t wait to read it! xxx
Thank you, Gilly! xxx
Oooh, gorgeous, love the girls. How exciting for you.
Thank you so much!
Beautiful. So pleased for you, Claire. For me, it brings to mind the cover of When God was a Rabbit, and this is a really, really good thing. Enjoy the feeling.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It really does have quite a lot of similarities with the When God was a Rabbit cover doesn’t it?! As you say, not a bad thing!
Wow! STUNNING! I love it! Huge congrats!
Thank you, Nik!
Oh, yes. I like that a lot. It’s beautiful. I’m getting a kick out of seeing your name on the cover, so I can only imagine how you must have felt when you saw this. Very cool.
Thank you, Kath. Funnily enough it feels strange seeing my name on the cover, but the most powerful thing was seeing that the story was well represented. Fair bowled me over!
It makes me want to reach out and touch it! That can’t be a bad thing.
That is a very good thing! xxx
Beautiful!!! You must be so excited. 😀
I am *massively* excited now. Suddenly all seems very real.
How beautiful! Congratulations!
Thank you, Peggy! Yours won’t be long either!
Being away at work, and all, this seems like an appropriate time and place to mention – loudly and in public – how eye-wateringly proud of you I am. Not just for this, but right here and now, specifically for this.
It is a fittingly beautiful and intelligent cover for a delightfully beautiful and intelligent book, written by an arrestingly beautiful and intelligent girl.
This is another happiness in a long string of happinesses, of which you are the author.
X
That’ll do, Pig. xxx
*reblarts*
I can’t say anything… I’m too moved by Charlie’s comment… *sniff*
You are lovely and this looks lovely and – Ooh – look at your name all in black and white and everything!
I am looking forward – so much to getting a real proper copy of this in my sweaty little mits. I’ll never forget the first time I read something by you and held my breath in admiration. And then it happened again.
Here’s hoping the novel has breathing spaces. GO YOU!
(Okay… I found some words… Imagine if Charlie hadn’t stunned me into “silence” … )
Rachel xxxxx
Thank you, Rachel! You are such a fabulous cheerleader! Pssst, on the spine my name will be in purple…and shiny!
*faints*
Congratulations! It looks great. Really looking forward to reading it.
Thank you *Happy Dance* 🙂
It’s very beautiful! I look forward to reading it even more now!
Thank you, Denyse! xxx
Woohoo, looks fab!! Looking forward to seeing you soon, Soon-To-Be-Famous-Author friend xx
Can’t wait! xxx
Congratulations! It looks wonderful and I echo all the comments here. And what a beautiful comment by Charlie yes, all the energy behind you from those who care about you and what you have achieved. A lovely moment!
Thank you, Alison. All this support and positive energy is amazing. Lucky me!
Oooh that wonderful Holly M – she is a genius. It is gorgeous, Claire. xx
Thank you, Vanessa! I love the thought that has gone into it, she’s worked with a tricky puzzle and done good!
Beautiful and otherworldly — love it, well done.
Thank you! Love your very bizarre new gravatar, by the way…
This is really lovely, Claire. I know we’re not supposed to judge a book this way, but people DO. So it’s nice that you’ve got a cover that people will sigh over.
I tried really hard not to say ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ but as you say, we often do, especially when browsing.
That is a GORGEOUS cover. Congratulations!
Thank you!
It’s a wonderful cover, Claire! Congratulations 🙂
And *sniff* over what your lovely husband wrote.
Thank you, Marisa! You’re with me every step of the way on this journey, I do appreciate it very much! My husband is fabulous, I’m very lucky. *Tries not to gush*
It’s gorgeous, Claire – quite beguiling – makes me even more impatient to read the book.
Thank you Anne! The time is going to fly by!
Yup – I like it and I would buy it. It has atmosphere, poignancy and a magical ‘feel’ – ticks all my boxes. I often buy books for the cover.
Thank you for taking the time to say so! Much appreciated 🙂
It looks beautiful and somehow quiet. Really looking forward to reading your work Claire. What a long wait!