Beth Cornelison asks readers to help pick her new cover
Beth Cornelison, author of Under Fire, is getting a new cover on her favorite baby. Find out why here and then vote for which new cover you like best (survey link below). You can vote through Feb. 16.
Beth: Authors often get asked, "Which book is your favorite?" My first response to that question is always, "That's a little like asking which of your children do you love most? My books are all favorites in some way." And it is true. After spending hours laboring over a book, birthing characters from our souls and sweating over the plot and execution of a story, every book feels like a child to an author. Hard work, tears and love go into each story we create. Writing a book is so personal, such an expression of a writer's heart and passion. How can a writer pick just one she loves the most?
But here's a little secret. I think most writers, if they are honest, have one or two books that they become more attached to for some reason, books that have some sentimental significance, books for which the author is especially proud. So a moment or so after the noble protest that I couldn't possibly have one favorite book, that I love them all equally, I invariably will whisper behind my hand, "But Under Fire is my favorite."
Yes, it is true. I have a favorite. Under Fire was a labor of love, and I mean true labor. It was the hardest book I've ever written, largely because of the extensive research involved. A hero who worked in nanotechnology? What was I thinking? A heroine who was a smokejumper? What does a gal from Louisiana know about smokejumping? Thus began my year-long journey researching said topics and much more. The deeper I got into the plot and characters, the wider my research spread— chemical weapons, Agent Orange, Native American culture and lore, non-Western medicine. Some days I blinked at the screen wondering what I'd gotten myself into. The secondary characters started bossing me around and demanding bigger storylines, the villain insisted he had a soft spot for nature and his dying father, and the plot took twists I hadn't expected. Under Fire took on a life of its own, as if I were channeling it from some mystic muse instead of creating it myself.
When I was finished, I had the kind of story I love to read. Adventure, suspense, romance. Man against nature in addition to man against man. A strong heroine, intriguing sub-plots and secondary characters, a sexy, somewhat tortured hero...all of my favorites in one big juicy novel! By the time I typed THE END, I was exhausted but also proud as could be for the work I'd created. I couldn't wait to share the story with readers. My agent and I sent Under Fire to Samhain Publishing, and they published it in both print and e-book form in 2006.
The cover that was put on my favorite child, my most special creation, however, was not my favorite. The cover artist did what I'd asked, sorta. But the gap between my vision and how that vision was interpreted was wide, and for the past many years, Under Fire has had a regrettably forgettable cover. But wait! The good people at Samhain Publishing have given Under Fire a breath of fresh air, new life, so to speak, and are dressing my favorite child up in a brand new outfit … er, cover! What's more, you, dear readers, get to be part of the re-cover effort. Samhain Publishing is sponsoring a battle of the covers, allowing readers the opportunity to vote for the cover they like the most. The winning cover will be used when Under Fire is re-issued with bright, shiny new garb later this month. The cover battle is being waged at the Samhain Facebook page and you can vote here.
Find out more about Beth and her books at www.bethcornelison.com.