Done!
Fianlly! My book, We Don’t Push in Fairhope is finished and is being printed by magic book elves at this very moment. It will officially launch on October 8th, with preorders available before that, but it’s out of my hands now and I’m SO BIG TIME RELIEVED!
I absolutely love the cover. Finding the right design was a painful process. I had two other covers that didn’t float my boat. The few friends who saw them were polite, but I could tell they weren’t impressed. I wanted something that made them say, “WOW!” But they politely said, “hmm.” Oh, those polite Southerners.
At the end of my rope, something finally told me to call my artist friend, Karen Roloson. Karen has won first place in our Eastern Shore Art Center member’s show several times and is very talented. I knew book illustration wasn’t her thing, but I also knew she’d be honest and steer me in the right direction. Karen took one look at the old cover- which looked like a coloring book for kids, and said, “I know the perfect person for you to work with —my daughter, Jody, who lives in Nevada.”
You have a daughter who is also an artist? Who knew? I emailed Jody Cory, and the next thing you know, she was reading my mind, and we became long-distance friends. She was the nicest person in the world to help. It was such a relief I just broke down and cried. I wanted this cover to be perfect. I just love what she did and think it will look even better when I can finally hold it in my hands. Here’s the back cover below.
Isn’t it wonderful? If you don’t think so, don’t tell me because I love it no matter what. It’s like having a baby and being relieved that it isn’t ugly. hahahahaha!!!
Bob and I celebrated the finished book by taking off to Destin for a few days. This photo was taken on Choctawhatchee Bay (and yes, I spelled that without help, so you know I’m a local), the exact area where I hung out as a child and teen.
I haven’t been able to visit this area since my father died almost six years ago, but found it to be just as beautiful as before. My Dad was too sick to attend the book launch for my first book, but when I saw him later, he hugged me and said, “I’m so proud of you, Sport.” When I was little, I’d tell people what my name was then add, “but my daddy calls me ‘port.'” I know he’d also love this book about the Gulf Coast, and somehow, it just felt right being back in Walton County, Florida, again.
I’ll fill you in on what the book is about in a later post. I just wanted to show you the cover today. We Don’t Push in Fairhope has been a labor of love for small towns everywhere, not just my hometown of Fairhope.
Stay tuned – more details coming soon!
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Can’t wait to read your new book.
Thanks Gayle – and our sweet “little” Tallahassee has seen a boom in growth too! You’ll relate.
Love the cover, can’t wait to hear the story behind the book. I always enjoy reading your post. Makes me feel like a part of me still lives in Fairhope.
Thanks Sharon, glad to keep you connected. There’s a lot going on around here these days – stay tuned!
I love it! Can’t wait to read it. Your old blog (Fairhope Supply Co) was the reason we visited Fairhope, loved it & moved here 8 years ago. 💕
I remember being so surprised when I first met you and you told me this and I’m glad now that only nice people read my blog – no mean people allowed! Thanks for being a long time reader and a new-ish Fairhope friend.
I absolutely love the cover! I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks. I wish it could be ready today!
Thank you for your lovely compliment. Jody told me that she enjoyed meeting you and the whole experience. My oldest son’s daughter is also an artist and we are encouraging the next generation in that direction. Jody was fortunate enough to make a living doing what she loved before retiring. Karen
In your case, it really does run in the family. With an encouraging and talented mother like you, it doesn’t surprise me. Jody was wonderful. If she ever wants to move to Fairhope, she’ll already have at least one good friend here!
Wow, you and your new artist friend captured it! And, yes, I will buy a signed copy of your book!
Thanks George, I’ll save a special book just for you!
I absolutely love it!! Congratulations!
Thank you Pam. It feels good to create – ya’ know?
The cover is absolutely adorable and very engaging for potential readers! I know it’s going to just as big of a hit as your previous three titles and can’t wait to read it! Any plans for an audiobook edition.
Thank you, thank you! – and audible will probably happen, but not until after the book launch in October.
Love it Leslie Anne, it makes me want to grab it and start reading! Glad you got to get away to where you grew up…
Glad your artist eye likes it Jenna. Thaks.