It’s always a glorious day when, having worked on a novel for one, two or three years, finally to see it as others will see it on the shelves in a book shop.
And here is my novel -
in all her finery.
A cover is crucial to a book – a good cover can express the feeling of a novel, the mood, the context, the atmosphere. It can get my story into the hands of people who will really enjoy it.
At its best, as well, it will appeal to those important booksellers and librarians who ensure it will be out there, available for those who hear about the book through articles and reviews – and perhaps through this account on my blog!
This novel was inspired by tales told to me by the wonderful and somewhat mystical writer and artist, Mary Davies who now lives in retirement on the Isle of Arran and who has also, in her time, drawn buildings.
It takes place in Poland in 1981 and Britain in 2006 . What’s it about? It’s about the consuming nature of art, the shadowy place between now and the hereafter; it’s about passionate encounters arising from a confluence of cultures and the long journey of a mother and son to mutual understanding.
And also I’ve been told it’s a damned good story…
This brilliant cover is a result of the careful response to me and my novel by my lovely editor, Harriet Evans - in combination with the design department at Headline. Sadly I am losing Harrie , an accomplished novelist herself, who is going off to concentrate on novels entirely: my loss and the reading public’s great gain.
I am also delighted because incorporated in this design are drawings by my friend Fiona Naughton www.fionanaughtonarts.com - who also is a woman who draws buildings! This is quite something for me, as I have watched Fiona develop from a child who could draw into a fine artist in her own right.
So I hope you like the cover and – when you get your hands on the book in September – I hope you love reading the novel as much as I love writing it.
Let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
Wendy R
Can't wait to read the new novel woman who drew buildings Mary x
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