cover note
I honestly thought that I would experience a huge wave of relief when I handed in the manuscript for The Gentle Art of Domesticity on May 15. But, in fact, there has been a huge amount of further work with the design, the visuals, the whole look of the book and the tiny details. It's all been incredibly enjoyable and I have loved working closely with the great team of people at Hodder, and a very wonderful book designer.
The books goes off to be printed very soon, and I have only one more meeting before that to look at posh colour proofs. So, at last, I am beginning to see that the relief I've been anticipating is just around the corner and the very thought of it is making my heart beat faster.
As does the sight of the cover, which is now on display on Amazon. I only discovered this morning that it can be seen and I was quite stunned when it came up on the screen. Excited, nervous, and very stunned is what I am most days, in fact.
I've had a mock-up of the cover on my bookshelf for a little while now, and I still do double-takes when I see the title and my name as I walk through the kitchen. But now that it's available for all to see, I thought I'd show you, the lovely people who have helped make it happen.
I was planning a thank-you post anyway, for all the brilliant comments and suggestions and recommendations you have left recently. But my gratitude goes much deeper than just saying thank you for sharing esoteric knowledge of maths, crochet, French films and apple-peelers (all of which I relish and store away in my mental files). It's a much bigger thank-you for the fact that you come here, read, consider, and so often tell me that you, too, value all these pleasures and delights of domesticity and family life. If you hadn't let me know that these things mean as much to you as they do to me, I would never have had the confidence to even think about writing a book which celebrates the extraordinary in the very ordinary.
So thank you. It won't be long now till we can see what's behind the cover (October 4). In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy the relief of knowing it's out of my hands until publication date looms and I can get all excited and nervous again.
PS In case you are wondering, yes it's one of my photos but re-shot by a professional photographer. It's the marshmallow heart which Phoebe and I made for Tom and Alice's birthday last year.
wow, what a brilliant cover,for what i know will be a proper visual treat, well done you, im sure it will be a great success. x
Posted by: steven mcvay | July 16, 2007 at 12:42 PM
It does wonders for me to have something like this to look forward to!
Posted by: Kim | July 16, 2007 at 12:46 PM
I'm a quiet reader, and I don't think I've commented before, but I am so looking forward to this book! Many congratulations on handing in the manuscript. The cover looks delicious and I can hardly wait to have it in my hands come October. :)
Posted by: Rhian | July 16, 2007 at 12:55 PM
How exciting!! The Amazon picture must be quite a big step in believing that it is all actually happening!! And I still love it in all it's technicolour glory.
Posted by: Gemma | July 16, 2007 at 12:57 PM
Jane, I would like to thank you for validating in such a beautiful and interesting way the rewards, fulfilment and creativity that can be achieved at home - "that boring place" that we are told women should escape in order to lead an interesting and worthwhile life. The cover is stunning. Bravo!
Posted by: Melanie | July 16, 2007 at 01:04 PM
It looks absolutely fantastic! Can't wait till October! Pup
Posted by: Puplet | July 16, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Oh Jane this is beautiful, I am so pleased for you and your family. Your book will be the perfect accompaniment to our 'gentle art' of holidaymaking in Northumberland in October. How exciting!
Posted by: Ness | July 16, 2007 at 01:13 PM
Ooh I find this very exciting so I can't really imagine how you must feel!
I love the cover - those colours are fabulous
Posted by: Sarah | July 16, 2007 at 01:21 PM
What a beautiful book. Can't wait to see it. Warmest congratulations.
~~Mary, Gainesville, FL USA~~
Posted by: Mary | July 16, 2007 at 01:38 PM
I just can't wait. The cover looks good enough to eat!
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport | July 16, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Oh, it's lover-ly! I can't wait until it's out! Congratulations.
Posted by: Luisa | July 16, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Awesome cover!
Posted by: Melissa A. | July 16, 2007 at 02:09 PM
I wish your book would show up in the US version of Amazon! Hopefully that's not too far behind. It looks wonderful, can't wait to see it!
Posted by: Kristin | July 16, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Congratulations! The cover is so pretty -------- something I would want to pick up and read!
Posted by: Cindy | July 16, 2007 at 02:34 PM
The cover is stunning. Thank you for the preview!
xoxo
Posted by: irene | July 16, 2007 at 02:37 PM
The lovely cover is showing on the Book Depository as well!
Congratulations.
Posted by: sherry | July 16, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Congratulations, Jane!
Posted by: Thistledown | July 16, 2007 at 02:45 PM
What a wonderful cover - good enough to eat! You are such an inspiration Jane and I can't wait to buy a copy of your book, wherever I find it once it is published. Just think, you may be creating a whole new plethora of wonderful ideas within your avid fan base - what a responsibility!! :-)
Posted by: Ewa Shephard | July 16, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Congratulations! I hope there are lots of your pictures in the book as well as your prose.
Posted by: Red | July 16, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Congratulations! It is indeed a beautiful cover and I know the whole book will be just as lovely. I hope we'll be able to find it here soon.
Posted by: ellen kelley | July 16, 2007 at 02:57 PM
It looks lovely--congratulations! There's nothing like seeing the composed proofs--I work in print production and enjoy seeing the progress of ads. To know that you created the entire book must take your breath away. So thrilling!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 16, 2007 at 02:57 PM
I did see that your book was listed on Amazon.uk two weeks ago, but there was no cover yet, how exciting it is to see it. Congratulations!
Posted by: Kathleen | July 16, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Jane, the book cover is so beautiful. I have put my husband on to your photographic genius, and he is excitedly waiting, too, for the book publish date! Thank you for the bits of beauty every morning! (Your blog is the first thing I read when I get to work. It is the best way to start my day!)
Posted by: Amy | July 16, 2007 at 03:39 PM
How exciting! I'm anticipating reading the book as soon as it's available. It looks to be a treat!
Posted by: Jill | July 16, 2007 at 03:45 PM
congratulations. What an exciting pretty cover. NOw I'm really looking forwrd to October.
Posted by: Melanie Watts | July 16, 2007 at 03:59 PM