Friday, October 21, 2011

Azalea Assault: Disrobed

There are a couple REALLY BIG moments for an author...  The book contract (especially the first). A dream agent (I gotz two!). Actual publication (still waiting).

But I had one yesterday that is DEFINITELY one of those that makes the heart pitter pat... I mean the others are theoretically bigger news, but THIS ONE is VISUAL!!!





Now I've had some great book covers made for me. My friend Joris is AMAZING (and one of his covers is actually going on my friend Marian's book). But this is my first 'in line to be published, WILL be on book shelves' cover.

They used tons of REAL details from the book, which rocks--the azaleas, the trellis with the wisteria, the guilty gardening shears... and I ADORE that tag line in the corner:  Murder is bad for publicity... talk about an understatement, but that is INDEED one of the problems of my MC, Cam Harris, who is charged with the publicity for a Roanoke Garden Society event gone VERY wrong.

For any of you new around here, the contract required a pen name, so I used a name from each of my grandmothers--I was the worlds luckiest child, as grandmothers went. I love that I can honor them with my first books. And Cozy Mystery is the genre I write that is least like the others, so even if it hadn't been required, in terms of branding, it was a good idea. Cozy mystery is exciting and twisty, but it isn't particularly dark. My other stuff is much more so.

And this series, I draw on the journalism/promotion phase of my life--the characters include a public relations manager and a reporter--this was my early training (advertising, actually, but my first degree was journalism)--so I know this world.  My other stuff draws much more on my psychology--mental health, addiction, abuse...

I think anyone reading both, would tell you the Cozy mystery is much more like my blog voice. The other stuff is me all dark and mysterious, like I keep telling you I am, even if nobody will believe me when I am bare naked and leading a flock of llamas.  WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR MY PRESS!?

anyway... If you are on FACEBOOK, I would totally LOVE YOU, if you might LIKE ME.:  Alyse Carlson

So I'm floating... I think that's all I got... except a hot male feeding me grapes...
compliments of my buddy Rissa

23 comments:

Al said...

Wow congratulations!
Love the cover.
Great understatement!

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous! I wish my garden looked like that. Congrats Tart, I'm so happy for you :)

lisahgolden said...

It's wonderful, Hart! Congratulations!

Old Kitty said...

Yay for a most NAKED visually vivid and vibrant cover!

And hot males able to feed you grapes whilst you are horizontal should be written into your contract!

Take care
x

Isis Rushdan said...

Congratulations on your cover! Love it.

Jessica Bell said...

Wow, Hart! Congrats!!! That is one pretty amazing cover! So happy for you!!! :o)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I love the cover! They did a fantastic job. Love the overturned basket and the tagline, too.

Hart Johnson said...

Thank you so much everyone! It eally is so exciting!!!

C D Meetens said...

What a great cover! I love the detail in it.

Dawn Ius said...

Wow! That's awesome, Hart. Very excited and happy for you. xo

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Great cover, Hart! And sorry, not on Facebook, or I'd join your Naked Facebook Domination Movement.

Liz said...

cover art day is THE BEST!!
well, after "acceptance email/letter day"
congrats
looks like fun.
cheers
Liz

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I had to rush right over and see your cover after reading your comment on my post. I love it! I would definitely pick this one up!

Creepy Query Girl said...

awesome! Congrats!

vic caswell said...

WOW!
so detailed!!!
so very happy for you!!!
YippeeEeEeEEEE!!!! :)

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Hart. It's really beautiful. Don't you just love the watering can? I'd love that house and garden.

Have a great weekend!

Hart Johnson said...

Squeee---thank you everyone! And YES, wonderful detail!
I'm really excited about a bunch of new faces, too!

LTM said...

you are so cool, and that cover is so gorgeous! You'd think it was my book... squee!!! :o) Can't wait to Get. It. :D <3

Connie J Jasperson said...

That is a cool Cover! I'm to old and decrepit to run around hollering 'squee!!!!' but I will offer my congrats and say that I look forward to reading it!

mshatch said...

absolutely lovely cover!

Danette said...

That is a lovely cover! Congratulations!!

Amie Kaufman said...

Adore the cover, I'd pick it up in a second. And I doubly love that it really reflects what's in the book. There's nothing like finishing a book and staring at the cover and spotting everything you just lived.

Anonymous said...

Congrats, the cover is awesome. You must be so pleased :) You are more than welcome you deserved the award.
Eve,x