Cover feedback please?

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Nancy Fulda

Random thought: What if you kept the typography the same, but used the Tower of London at night (or some other more recognizably European image) as the backdrop?

At this point I'm leaning away from anything recognizable as British, thinking it will be narrowing the appeal to Brits. Of course some people will be more interested because of that, but I think Americans are my main target audience with this book. As was mentioned in an earlier post a previous title was "An American Ballerina in London." That got chopped down to "American Ballerina." (following the same reasoning)

[Cinisajoy]

Oh wait, there is a picture.
But look anyway.
http://www.amazon.com/Intercept-Jere...sap_bc?ie=UTF8

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Yep. I'm sure a lot of Brits will have issues with it. I'm looking to mostly American readers though. I did have a Londoner beta read it so it shouldn’t be that bad. We'll see.

Gregg, why do you say that British people will have issues with it? Haven't you done the research necessary to get these things right? Surely research is a key aspect of writing such a book, isn't it? I know that if I were writing a book, key plot elements of which were London and the Royal Ballet, I'd want to make sure that I personally visited the places I was writing about, talked to people in the Royal Ballet to ensure that I properly understood how they operated, and so on.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

So maybe I need to use an indistinct blob?

If you did, at least a reader wouldn't be trying to figure out how a Ferris wheel and fireworks relate to an aspiring ballerina and a boxer.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Oh wait, there is a picture.
But look anyway.
http://www.amazon.com/Intercept-Jere...sap_bc?ie=UTF8

Yeah, okay, I see what you're saying. I like the simplicity of it, but his name is really big. That's because he's relatively famous probably. Wouldn't fly with me. (You guys at MR are the only people that know me.)

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Gregg, why do you say that British people will have issues with it?

Well, my beta reader seemed quite hostile about some of the things I wrote (that weren't accurate).

Originally Posted by HarryT

Haven't you done the research necessary to get these things right? Surely research is a key aspect of writing such a book, isn't it? I know that if I were writing a book, key plot elements of which were London and the Royal Ballet, I'd want to make sure that I personally visited the places I was writing about, talked to people in the Royal Ballet to ensure that I properly understood how they operated, and so on.

I've done a lot of research, Harry, but I can't afford to go to London. (Unless I can stay with you! LMK)

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Catlady

If you did, at least a reader wouldn't be trying to figure out how a Ferris wheel and fireworks relate to an aspiring ballerina and a boxer.

Touche.

[Cinisajoy]

Off topic on topic...
I saw a new book today. American Wife. It is by the American Sniper's widow.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Well, my beta reader seemed quite hostile about some of the things I wrote (that weren't accurate).


I've done a lot of research, Harry, but I can't afford to go to London. (Unless I can stay with you! LMK)

Then did it have to be set in London? (I know, you came for cover advice, not location criticism!)

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Then did it have to be set in London? (I know, you came for cover advice, not location criticism!)

That's what I wondered, too, if there was some specific reason to set it in a place that you say you don't know well, especially when a lot of potential readers may be very familiar with it and be taken out of the story by any missteps.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Off topic on topic...
I saw a new book today. American Wife. It is by the American Sniper's widow.

Yes, but is she a ballerina? (If not I'm clear.)

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Then did it have to be set in London? (I know, you came for cover advice, not location criticism!)

Hey, what are they going to do, kill me? Yeah, it's got to be in London. You know, some people are not going to like something or other no matter what you do. Not that you don't do your best, but every now and then you just gotta say what the f...

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Hey, what are they going to do, kill me? Yeah, it's got to be in London. You know, some people are not going to like something or other no matter what you do. Not that you don't do your best, but every now and then you just gotta say what the f...

Not kill you, but choose not to read your books again. Personally I think doing your research properly and getting all your facts right is critical; don't just say "my American readers won't know the difference".

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Catlady

That's what I wondered, too, if there was some specific reason to set it in a place that you say you don't know well, especially when a lot of potential readers may be very familiar with it and be taken out of the story by any missteps.

True enough. Sure it would be great if I wrote a story about a kidnapping in Somalia if I went there, interviewed the warlords, felt the searing 120 heat, ate the dust. But is that going to happen?

Will the people who have been to Somalia be taken out of the story. Probably.

What if I want to write a book about outer space? Should I sign up for Branson's space shuttle so I can be accurate?

Yes, research is important. For certain kinds of books cultural accuracy is more important than others. (Historical fiction comes to mind.) Which isn't to say it's okay to be a slouch about it. But there will always be somebody that is not a happy camper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAHR7_VZdRw

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Yes, but is she a ballerina? (If not I'm clear.)

Not that I know of. You are good on the title.