All right, we expect strange and unusual things from the people who worship Jerry Lewis, but I've got to say, the French really get seriously weird when it comes to their cover art. Or at least their cover art of my books. For A CHOIR OF ILL CHILDREN they had had a Raggedy Ann doll holding a hatchet. What that had to do with the book, I have no idea, although I thought it was pretty cool.
Now they give us the French translation of THE DEAD LETTERS, retitled THE REDEMPTION OF THE SANDMAN. This is much more in keeping with my original title THE REPENTANCE OF KILLJOY, which my editor considered to be too oddball. Maybe that's why the French embraced it. In any case, the cover art really caught me left-handed when I first viewed it, but I admit that it's growing on me now. In fact, I completely missed out on why the teeth were so much of a caricature until my French publisher reminded me that my protagonist has fits of rage where he champs on things like the trunk of his car. (Hey, I've written about 400k words of fiction since TDL, I can't remember everything).
So, let me know what you think.
8 comments:
I like it a lot. Reminds me a bit of Sin City. I think this cover will sell books. I'd buy it.
I actually like this version better. Really catches the eye.
Really,ahem, cool.
Looks very cool---although a bit more avante garde than the novel.
That is a really cool cover. Now if they could only spell your name right.
I like it, Tom. Very cool look.
I have to admit, when I read the title to this post, my first thought was that you might be writing something in the DC/Neil Gaiman SANDMAN universe. I've enjoyed your HELLBOY work a lot, so that idea - for the brief second it lasted - was exciting to me.
Anyway, back on topic, I love the cover.
Yeah, luckily this isn't the finished version. The font will be changed and, hopefully, they'll learn to spell my name correctly.
Thanks for all the generous comments, folks.
Yeah, the Raggedy Ann had nothing to do with the book, but it evoked a feeling, a particular world view (a warped one). I liked it so much I ordered the book from amazon.fr, even though I don't read or speak French.
The French cover of "The Redemption of the Sandman" presents the book as a hardcore crime novel (to me). It may be a way to broaden your readership. The converted will buy it, anyway. It's striking.
Post a Comment