I'm very excited. The last edit has been sent back to the publisher, and this very minute Pond Magic is being marketed to booksellers around Australia. After months of editing and re-writing, a perfectly formed book is winding its way to a bookshelf near you. Aren't you just a bit excited too?
For a sneak peek at what it's all about, here is the back cover blurb:
Twelve-year-old Lily Padd's name is the least of her problems: she can't stop burping, her skin seems to be going green and now she has webbing growing between her toes! Can she really be turning into a frog? As if that isn't bad enough, an exchange student from France has come to stay and Lily's best friend, Maureen, thinks he's gorgeous. Why has Lily's life become so confusing, and will things ever be normal again?
When I first sent Pond Magic off into the world in its manuscript form, I was more than hopeful. This was a good story, and when finally accepted by my publisher, she described it as "delightfully funny".
But to ensure Pond Magic's success while it sat on publishers' slush piles, waiting to be read, I regularly visited my local bookstore and library and sought out the shelf with authors beginning with 'S'. Then, when I found my alphabetical spot between the 'St' and the 'Sv', I put my hand in between the books either side of where mine might one day sit and made room for Pond Magic, pushing the other books aside to create a gap.
Then I wished and imagined positive outcomes.
My writing buddy laughed one day when she saw me do this. But, hey, positive thinking works!
Now, I have been dying to show everyone the cover, illustrated by the talented artist Lisa Coutts. I am thrilled with Lisa’s interpretation of the main character, Lily, and her horror at turning green. It just makes me giggle.
And now, for the first time anywhere, I would like to proudly unveil Pond Magic to the world...
Taaa...Daaa...!
The cover artwork is copyright Lisa Coutts. The cover design is copyright Penguin Group Australia.
You will notice there is a distinctively 'French' feel to the front cover. The scrolly title reminds me of French wire garden furniture and the pink and black colour scheme has my imagination running riot when it comes to planning my launch. Ooh, la la!
And of course there are the French roses, the picture of the Eiffel Tower, bottles of 'Paris' and 'Chanel' style perfumes. Hmmm, a definite theme happening here, a certain, 'Je ne sais quoi.' Lisa has done such a great job, don't you think?
I love it!
14 comments:
Congratulations Angela! So excited for you and for Pond Magic. xx
It's beautiful, Angela.
I am sooo excited for you:-)
Dee:-)
Thanks, girls. It is beautiful, isn't it? Just like showing my baby off for the first time.
Beautiful! The girls will love it. Well done. Very excited for you.
Amanda.
Angela, you must be absolutely thrilled! It's just gorgeous. Love the French stylings. And so excited to be able to read a little snippet from the back cover - can't wait to read it all! (sounds exactly like my kind of book - some real world drama wrapped up in a little bit of magic :)
Love the cover, and love the blurb from the back too, Angela. No wonder you are excited! Not long to go now...
Thanks, Amanda. I can't wait to meet your girls.
Thanks, Kath,I didn't realise I would enjoy writing urban fantasy as much as I have, but it's no wonder. I love reading it.
Thanks, Trudie. I can't believe it's June already. The time will go so fast.
Yep, it looks very good up on the site too, Angela!! X :) Sheryl
Dear Angela,
I am delighted by the way you pull words over a white sheet of paper, it is like a painting in written form.
You always put so much love and effort into your work and that is felt and resonates.
Thank you for your share of light to this world.
Martina Pook
Director
Artrillium House
www.artrilliumhouse.com
The cover and the blurb work really well together to grab a reader. Great!
Looks great Angela. It's a very eye-catching cover. I am looking forward to reading the story.
Thank you so much, girls. I'm so glad you like the cover. The colours really appeal to me.
Martina, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
I have a facebook page for Pond Magic up and running now. Please join and you'll find out more about Lily.
Hi Angela,
Your cover is fantastic! I love the detail the artist has gone into - especially the frenchy font!
Jodi
Thanks, Jodi. The Frenchy font is my favourite too. I was so impressed by it.
Post a Comment