My editor teased me back in December, telling me the cover was "gorgeous." Did he send it to me? No!!! At that point, all he had was the painting by the fabulous Teresa Fasolino. It took a while for the Marketing Department to get around to having the cover graphics added. (Hey, it was Christmastime. Everybody was busy!)
So, I very patiently waited and occupied myself with other things...until I couldn't stand it any more. On Monday, I heard from my editor about another matter (BIG EXCITEMENT--but I can't say anything about it YET--hopefully soon, which will be cause for another issue of my newsletter), and asked about the cover. He said I'd see it later that afternoon.
Except I didn't.
I'll give him until Wednesday, I said. And then I didn't want to seem like a nag, so I waited until late Thursday. He wrote back with apologies -- they (whoever they are) were arguing over the title. It's Chapter and Hearse, what's to argue about?
No, no! It MIGHT be Chapter and Hearse, or it might be Chapter & Hearse. Did I have a preference? Nope. I don't care. ( But I thought maybe it should be Chapter AND Hearse. Maybe.)
Anyway, the version he sent was Chapter & Hearse ... and ... it looks pretty darn good. In fact, the cover is MARVELOUS. There are a few tiny errors -- like Miss Marple looking out the window of the cafe (she never leaves Haven't Got A Clue) but for dramatic effect--who cares! It's a WONDERFUL cover. And, hopefully it will SELL A LOT OF BOOKS!
Another marvelous feature? Lorna's name ABOVE the title, and large enough one doesn't need to use a magnifying glass to find it.
So am I pleased? You better believe it. And as soon as I get the final version--BOOKMARKS!!!
