Friday 6 April 2012

The Final Dance


Much as I love Wenkidu's original artwork "Man and the World of Stars", and as much as I love the first cover created using this artwork, the multi-talented Michelle Davidson Argyle has surpassed her first cover with a second offering that took my breath away:


This is the second sample cover for DANCING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE – it’s a more  commercial, but it's still different and, in a way, reflects my writing style better.

The first cover is bold, striking, exotic and stunning, while this cover is also different, unusual and striking, but in a more subtle, intriguing, gentle and ethereal way. 

I also love the veiled mirror reflection of the woman, suggesting “two faces”  (two sides) to everything.  As each of the characters in the story have to find the real person behind the masks they wear, this watersplashes mask on the woman's face  and the veiled reflection hint at the story.

The more I looked at this cover sample, the more it talked to me – thinking of the reviews to date of my book, my writing comes across as lyrical, mystical and gentle rather than big and bold. The soft and mysterious watersplash mask cover definitely taps into that energy.

So...this is it! The final cover for DANCING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE. I'm so relieved, because, while I have no expectations that the cover will suddenly turn the book into an overnight best seller, I can now put the book to rest knowing that it has the perfect cover.

10 comments:

Judith Mercado said...

Great cover!

Ann Summerville said...

Amazing cover. Glad to see you're back.
Ann

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

JUDITH: I love it too! A complete change, but for the better.

ANN: I agree! And nice to be back - hope you're enjoying the twin grandchildren!

Bish Denham said...

I like this cover... and... I'm glad I have a copy of the original, I love it.

Yvonne Osborne said...

It is perfect, as you say subtle and ethereal. It would certainly stand out in a bookstore. Michelle is so talented.

On another note, I've just read The Gold Miner. It is heartbreaking and beautifully written. Your characters are finely drawn and well developed for such a short story. Well deserving of acclaim.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Judy .. I feel a little divided - I can see why this design makes such a great cover and you can relate to it ...

.. but I adore Wenkidu's original artwork as it evokes Africa and the explanations arising from "Man and the World of Stars" ..

Probably Michelle's cover is better for a worldwide audience ..

Emmm interesting thoughts - good to see you back .. cheers Hilary

A Cuban In London said...

I love that cover! It's fresh, funky and original.

Well done.

Greetings from London.

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

BISH: I *love* the original artwork too, but this cover appeals to a broader audience I think! Hope you’re well and writing away.

YVONNE: I agree – Michelle is multi-talented! So glad you enjoyed The Gold Miner!  I’m still waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail, and can’t wait to read all the stories!

HILARY: Ha! Ha! You described how I felt when I saw the two covers Michelle designed. My heart was with Wenkidu’s artwork, but my heart AND my head know that this new cover is an all-round great cover for the book & the story! But it was SO hard to choose!! And good to be back – hope you’re enjoying you’re 2012 A-Z challenge.

CUBAN: Thanks! It’s the watersplash mask that makes it so different! :)

J.B. Chicoine said...

Oh Judy, your new cover is absolutely stunning! Congratulations!

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

JB: Thanks - I'm very pleased with the new cover and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new print copies to see what it looks like! :)