Just in case you missed my cover reveal over at Project Mayhem last week …
The release date for The Morrigan’s Curse is January 26, 2016, and you can read a synopsis for the book on my website’s Eighth Day Series page.
But if you have any interest in art or how book covers are designed, I still recommend you check out the interview I did with the designer and the cover artist. As my husband said when he read the interview, “I looked at the cover and thought: Wow, that guy can draw. Then I read all the work that went into creating this, and it’s not just ‘drawing’ at all.” SO MUCH work goes into this — just like writing the book itself!
In other news, it’s been a busy month for me and promises to be a busy summer. My younger daughter turned 15. My older daughter graduated from high school. I had a number of book events in June, and I have more events in July, as well as a class to teach. Also, we’ll be hosting a French exchange student all next month, and we have many events planned to entertain her.
Therefore, except for First Impressions, I’ll be cutting back blogging to once a week until further notice. First Impressions will still be available in the first 3 posts of every month. (And I have 2 openings in July, by the way. Any takers out there? I KNOW some of you are working on projects!)
The only other news I have for you is this: I mentioned last month that my husband assembled and installed new bookshelves into the room we’ve called “the library” ever since we moved into this house in 2003. For twelve years, we’ve been meaning to replace our crappy Office Depot shelves with something worthy of the name “library.” Those shelves were double and triple-stacked. Now, with all our books adequately displayed, I’ve uncovered books that I haven’t seen in years and started re-reading some old favorites from high school.
Right now, I’m on Sign of Chaos, by Roger Zelazny. I never before realized how much The Chronicles of Amber influenced my writing. It has literally been decades since I read these books, but there are concepts here that I see echoed in my own work. Except for his 1-dimensional portrayal of most female characters, sadly. But other than that, I have to say, “Thanks, Rog, old boy. You really shaped my thinking, even if it took years to reach fruition.”
After I’m through with Amber, I’ll be turning to C.J. Cherryh. (Is this where I get to brag that I’m Facebook friends with her? Not that she knows who I am or anything. She has thousands of Facebook friends. But still, if I could go back and tell my teenage self, “Some day you’ll be Facebook friends with C.J. Cherryh!” my teenage self would say … “Face-what?”)
Cutting back is a good idea. You have a lot planned. New shelves are nice. Bet it feels good to quality, solid shelves.
I love rediscovering books from my childhood! Also, I’m amazed you’re able to blog as much as you do. I totally neglect my blog …
Awesome cover! Those shelves are pretty neat too. 🙂
Hi Dianne .. congratulations on the release date of January next year .. wonderful looking cover. I looked at the notes on the cover design et al .. fascinating to learn of the work involved … let alone your part?! Enjoy all you’re doing .. and have some summer … relaxing outside with some new found ‘old’ books … cheers Hilary
OMG I love Zelazny’s Amber Chronicles. Love. And if I could choose one magical power it would be the ability to manipulate shadow. Oh yeah.
Your library is wondrous! I want to create a library, too…now to find some nice new bookcases! And that is really cool that you rediscovered those old favorite books. I love when that happens! I’m packing to move and this just happened for me as well.
Looks like things are hopping at your place. Love the library, its very nice. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
How cool. Your covers keep getting awesomer. I’m glad you’re not going to disappear from the blogosphere completely. I’ll have to make do with once a week! Have a fun summer 🙂
Great cover! You’ve been very fortune to get amazing covers. Good luck with all you have going on.
How exciting! The cover looks awesome and I can’t wait for the new book. I don’t blame you for cutting back on blogging – balance is key. We’ll still be loyal fans. Enjoy all of your fun activities.
Your new cover is fabulous! So much detail… so much stuff to catch a kid’s eye, as well as this old gal’s. Can’t wait to read it!
Your new shelves look terrific, too. There’s nothing quite like stumbling across a favorite book you haven’t read in years, and getting to read it all over again. It’s like having a reunion with an old friend.
Love the cover (the girls are eagerly awaiting the release!) and the new shelves. We’re trying to knock some things off the to-do list that have been on there for years too, so I know how it feels to actually get it done. Have a fabulous summer!
Love the cover (the girls are eagerly awaiting the release!) and the shelves. We’ve been trying to knock some things off our to-do list that have been on there for years, so I know how exciting it is to get it done. Have a fabulous summer!
I’ve always liked the covers for this series of yours – the changing perspective of the font is such a great effect.
And I want a library with shelves like that myself someday. ^_^ I know what you mean about reading old stuff, too – I have a bunch of things I’d like to reread, but my to-be-read stack is still six books high.
I’m so excited to see this third installment. January will be here before we know it. (And I can’t wait to see how this series ends!!!)
Your bookcases look great:)
Headed over to read about that cover design, because it’s fantastic!!!!
Still catching up from our 30th anniversary trip and an illness I managed to pick up while traveling (again!), so I missed this before. Terrific cover! I love it. I also can’t wait to read this book, but I hope it’s not the end of the series.
Don’t you love having those books out there to look at and appreciate in those new shelves? I know how great it is to actually follow through on a plan, and you did!
I missed everything that happened in June, but I’m so happy for you and wish you the best on this latest book.
I love those shelves! I really like those kind that can curve, makes them much more interesting than just flat against the wall.