Wednesday, August 02, 2006

More Show & Tell


Here's a mock-up of the cover of my book!! I didn't think I'd be able to show Jim's awesome artwork for a while, but the art director just gave him the go-ahead to post it on his website, so I figure, it's fair game. Isn't it gorgeous? I think the lettering will probably change, but this is basically it. I LOVE it! (Jim isn't a very active blogger, but I know he'd love to get some comments about this cover, if you happen to find your way to his blog.)

I've been having kind of a hard time keeping up with blogs lately, what with work and summer stuff like family trips, and I'm looking forward to the Northwest rains to return and keep us housebound in a cloudy grey coccoon. I do love the Oregon rain! I love the smell of it, the sound of it on the roof and windows, and I love the green it brings. Not so green now. Bring on the rain, sky gods! I love the calm of winter, coffee in the kitchen, long days of writing wrapped in a warm sweater... sigh... Come on, rain!

PS - Apropos of nothing, my ridiculous shoe order was delivered today and har har har, the joke's on me. They're high alright. Hoo boy. One pair in particular is so absurd. ABSURD. It's the middle pair, if you care to know. Those of you who wondered how I walk in such shoes? Actually, they're quite steady -- that's not the problem. Walking in them is kind of like walking with overturned buckets strapped to your feet! You're not going to tip over or turn an ankle, but dang, your feet weigh about 20 pounds each! I'm not sure if I'm going to return them or keep them for dress-up (the Halloween kind, not the date night kind). But the other two pair are wearably absurd, I think. I'll take some photos of them in action!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Jim - and you! It must be really satisfying to have someone so close to you, help bring your book into the world.
And rain sounds wonderful. Just imagining hearing it pattering on the roof is soothing to me right now. Lucky you, living in rain country!
Lastly - really, the middle pair is taller than the pair on the right? Any of them look to tall for me - I admire heels on other women - but I have a hard enough time staying grounded!

paris parfait said...

How wonderful to see the cover image! Fantastic, certainly doing your wonderful words justice. What a talented husband you have! As for the rain, that's one of the things I miss most about the West Coast. It doesn't rain nearly enough here and when it does, only in short spurts, never for hours at a time.

Deirdre said...

I soo want to read your book. Great cover. I'll scoot on over to Jim's site and say so. Your shoes make me giggle. Both my nieces are shoe girls too. Strange, because none of us grownups are, never were.

Alex S said...

The shoes look like little cars! No matter how many times I see the cover I love it anew each time.

Anonymous said...

Writing and having your book published is cool. If you miss yourself you can always look yourelf up in the libary. And you will always live on in the libary!

Anonymous said...

Love the cover image...congratulations to both of you! I am so excited for both of you. Hurray!

M said...

Wow this looks amazing! You are having a good week! Congratulations to you both! I can't wait to see the final product.
Or the pictures of you in those shoes!!
And don't wish for rain too hard, please...not yet!!!

Darlene said...

I would buy that book right now!!!!!!!! Oooooo I love the artwork! Good job hubby!!!!

The shoes? I really need to see you walk in them...you know your a shoe lover when you think those shoes are cute!

I think their adorable :)

xxd

Deb R said...

It's fabulous!! Congrats, Laini and Jim!

Kiah-Monique said...

nice how do you become a member of sunday scribbings

Susannah Conway said...

Tee hee, you and your shoe fetish :-)

Laini, that cover looks fantastic - congrat to Jim, and to you for this fantastic achievement! bravo :-) x

jojo said...

i love the ones on the right. the are too damn cute. but i for sure would be upside down in a second. weak ankles. some bad coordination. i will stick to the burks. congrats on the book. the artwork is fabuloso! just great! oh i love it. i will definitely comment to the hub.

Annie Jeffries said...

Looking forward to seeing your book and getting it. Loved browsing through Jim website. I didn't know he created graphics comic art. I have a big collection of X-men going back about 25-30 years, lots of Barry Smith, and some miscellaneous limited edition collections.

Jamie said...

The book cover is stunning! It's absolutely captivating. I felt completely intrigued by it and like I wanted to see what mysteries and wonders lay within. Congratulations!

And I can't wait to see pictures of you in your shoes! Reach for the sky, Laini!

Rampian said...

oh, Laini, here it is--your name on the cover, Jim's art. The story is starting it's life in book form. I love Jim's interpretation of Magpie. She's fiesty and wild, just as I imagined her--and those wings. Now I'm coveting Magpie's lovely wings! Congrats--I'm so happy for you.

kelly rae said...

is this where i get to brag that i've seen the cover in person? and that it's absolutely fabulous? you two make a great team.

Amber said...

It looks beautiful! Very eye-catching, indeed. ;) I can't wait to read it! Are you going to be traveling to California or the Bay to do any readings or promotion? Because I want a signed copy.

:)

Shari Sherman said...

OMG Laini, you are hilarious. I am snickering so hard picturing the buckets strapped to your feet...nice shoes there little lady!

The cover art is awesome! Love, love, love it!

Anonymous said...

sending you lots of sweet rain!

The book cover is simply spectacular and reflects so much wild imagination and mystery and fabulous talent-- just so evocative.

It's impossible to keep up with all the blogs and have a life-- impossible-- you do a fabulous job of it so cut yourself some slack.

Big hugs, bluepoppy

liz elayne lamoreux said...

i keep coming back and looking at this cover.
i cannot wait to hold this book in my hands in a few months. it really is only a few months my dear!!!
so excited for you
(and i am cracking up a bit about the shoes!)

Kim G. said...

Tell Jim those are some phat lookin' wings on that fairy. (Phat as in like a tricked out sports car kind of phat!) Seriously, they look so sleek and fast and - well, tough - not girly and fragile like I think of fairy wings. Well done!

And the shoes - very funny. Can't wait to see the pics!

Shesawriter said...

That's a very beautiful cover, Laini! Love the colors.

Patry Francis said...

That cover is absolutely stunning! I want Jim to design my next one.

Colorsonmymind said...

Had to giggle imagining you lugging those heavy shoes around.

I bet they are pretty on though.

I love this cover it is downright terrific.

What a talented couple you are.

Hugs

Anonymous said...

The book cover is amazing! And I want to thank you for being the first person to get all lovey about the Oregon rain~ I'm moving to Portland in a few weeks and needed to hear that lush perspective!

sophie said...

Gorgeous illustration.
Stunning.