The earliest published edition of a particular book, or is there a particular printing of the various novels that is considered the one to have? Paperback art better than hardbound? Enquiring minds wanna know.
I was gonna say, check out some of the foreign covers. Gregg’s got a few on the blog page. They have to be considered fair game for ‘best cover art’ eligibility.
I pesonally like the ‘oversized’ paperbacks came out a few years ago. I’ve got half a dozen or so of those. The cover art isn’t the best, but the whole presentation is pretty cool.
yeah, I agree totally, the presentation is the best part of the bigger paperbacks. I’ve been trying to pick up as many hardcovers as I can and there’s almost a turning point - maybe just after Freaky Deaky where the covers are a little… classier may not be the exact word, but something like that. Pagan Babies is a good cover and Tishimongo Blues is a great cover.
Pagan Babies is also an underrated book. It gets right to the heart of Rawanda with very real characters.
And yeah, some of the foriegn covers are really good. there’s a whole series of French ones that have a great feel.
I just joined the Forum and did a quick search for Pagan Babies since that was my first EL book to read. I was suprised that it had only one hit. I agree that it is highly under rated. Since reading about 3/4ths of the published EL books it is still my favorite.
all of the Chip Kidd-designed covers are great—- Get Shorty, Cat Chaser, Mr. Majestyk, The Tonto Woman, When the Women Come Out to Dance (and others, I think)—they really capture the works. And Kidd also designed that type ‘logo’ that’s been used repeatedly for Leonard’s name. It’s a really cool collaboration between writer and cover artist.
I think the publisher might use an illustrator that the writer doesn’t want or doesn’t favor. Just because the publisher thinks an illustrator is good doesn’t mean the illustrator understands the writer’s work, and the lack of understanding is apparent in the illustration. Who actually has the power for the illustration (or photo) used, the writer or the publisher?
the publisher almost always controls the packaging unless an author has enough clout to negotiate some say in the matter. That’s not always a bad thing. Many authors aren’t aware of the way book buyers make decisions so the marketing department may have a better angle on what sells. But it can also be pretty depressing when your book comes out with some dopey cover that is more likely to turn off buyers than turn them on. If you’ve worked as long as EL, at least you get some respect and top notch artwork from designers like Chip Kidd.
Pagan Babies is also an underrated book. It gets right to the heart of Rawanda with very real characters.
And Gregg says Elmore never writes about current events… ;-D
At least that’s what he implied when I asked about Elmore doing another High Diver book, possibly set in New Orleans with some Katrina intonations thrown in the mix. I can think of a few more examples of historical references sprinkled into Elmore’s work, and not just to set the date.
Fascintaing topic thogh, hearing about the marketing process and the cover art commissioned. Having read paperback versions almost exclusively, I’m not familiar with hardly any of the hardcovers. I’d have to look them up again to see what you guys are talking about, but Mr. Kidd’s talent is quite evident on the ‘Mr. Paradise’ cover. He probably didn’t do the paperback cover, I’m guessing. Or did he?
the publisher almost always controls the packaging unless an author has enough clout to negotiate some say in the matter. That’s not always a bad thing. Many authors aren’t aware of the way book buyers make decisions so the marketing department may have a better angle on what sells. But it can also be pretty depressing when your book comes out with some dopey cover that is more likely to turn off buyers than turn them on. If you’ve worked as long as EL, at least you get some respect and top notch artwork from designers like Chip Kidd.
Elmore has such clout up to a point. After the Chip Kidd era, which ended when Elmore moved from Delacorte to HaperCollins, he has had a lot to say about the covers. In fact, take Pagan Babies, he pretty much designed that. He will add elements like the bullet holes in The Hot Kid car and he has a very specific idea in mind for Up in Honey’s Room.
The publisher does know best, in theory, but in the case of The Hot Kid, though we all like the cover, it did not sell as well as others. Up in Honey’s Room will have a cover that Elmore has pretty much dictated. A lot of publishers use stock images and sometimes don’t go the extra mile to come up with the absolute best. Up in Honey’s Room will be sharp.
And Gregg says Elmore never writes about current events… ;-D
At least that’s what he implied when I asked about Elmore doing another High Diver book, possibly set in New Orleans with some Katrina intonations thrown in the mix. I can think of a few more examples of historical references sprinkled into Elmore’s work, and not just to set the date.
I am not sure if you are making a point or something else.
Please don’t say I said something when I didn’t. Elmore begins with a character, then folds in an occupation or a location. He knew of Rwanda because of We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda The lead character, Terry Dunn, came out of his imagination.
I’d have to look them up again to see what you guys are talking about, but Mr. Kidd’s talent is quite evident on the ‘Mr. Paradise’ cover. He probably didn’t do the paperback cover, I’m guessing. Or did he?
Well I think a High Diver book set in New Orleans after Katrina, would be GREAT, for me.
Not that anyone else would be interested, but I could see Dennis getting involved in a FEMA trailer scam, and all hell breaks loose at the trailer park. Heck you don’t need to write a book, just bring a video camera here and make it a movie.
Maybe a short story instead of a novel, would be better.
Nah, still wishful thinking, plus there are no high divers in New Orleans anymore.
Anyway, I like the cover of Tishomingo Blues, but the diver should have been on FIRE.
That would be HOT.
Have a Great Thanksgiving everyone and keep posting, it’s great to see everyone back and discussing Dutch the way it should be.
Ahh, I’m mixing up Mr. Majestic and Mr. Paradise. My bad.
As far as putting words in your mouth, Gregg, I don’t mean to. I’m just a guy posting free speech on an open forum knowing full well that anyone I offend or misquote or misunderstand has ample opportunity to correct me, and I expect as much from Mr. Leonard’s researcher. And I thank you for doing so.
So is the guy who designed and/or did the cover art on Mr. Paradise (hardcover edition) the same person who did the paperback version?
