So, one of my favorite things about working with HarperTeen (and I have a LOT of favorites) is that they produce some amazing covers. You’ve already seen my Variant and Feedback covers, but I wanted to show you the cover that we were originally going to use.
It’s by photographer Martin Stranka, who does some amazing work. (His website is here, where you can see this and other great book covers.)
I love it because it’s so bleak. While the final cover (the blue cover) invokes thoughts of action and desperation and fear, this original cover invokes feelings of depression and paranoia.
On the other hand, I don’t like that Jane’s face is visible, or that her hair color is even identifiable. One of my favorite parts of the final cover is that you’re not certain who the girl on the cover is: it could be Jane or Becky.
Ultimately, however, focus groups and marketing/sales teams decided that this original cover didn’t feel YA enough, and a new cover was commissioned, this one by photographer Mark Tucker (who ultimately did both the final Variant and Feedback covers).
I really love both covers–the original and the final. It’s fascinating to see how different artists interpret my book.
Variant, named as one of Publisher's Weekly's Best Books of 2012. A YALSA Pick for Reluctant Readers. Click here for more information.
Feedback, sequel to Variant, was released October 2nd, 2012. Click here for more information.
Blackout, a new series coming October 2013. Click here for more information.
Going Dark is a novella prequel to Blackout, to be released September 3rd, 2013. Click here for more information.
Fascinating. Can’t wait till I get to see how an artist will interpret my book. Uh, maybe I’m terrified…what if it’s awful?
Love yours, though, both.
Ooh, that’s a really cool cover, but I agree with you.
I like that cover, it’s beautiful. That being said, I’m really glad you ended up using the cover you did. it just seems to fit the book more. The cover of Variant is what drew me in, it looked like an exciting book.
Both covers are great for different reasons.
Omg, I really dont care about the covers, but the blue one did get me to actually want to read the book. its one of those books that NEVER get boring, to me the plot is better than the hunger games, and i LOVE the hunger games. I just have to say Robin Wells is an amazing writer, i loved the book the whole way through, there was always another mystery, or suspicious person,or something that made me keep wanting to read the book, and i CANNOT wait till the next book comes out, i mean the end of it just made u want to pull ur hair out because it was sooo like what the hell just happened, what is going on, i cant belive this… WHAT?!?!!?
I just need to say thank you for such a wonderful book, and sorry if this was off topic but too bad, i luv it!!!!