That Was the Week That Was

Last week was an exciting time for me and one I never thought would happen. After teasing with a partial cover a few days earlier, my lovely publisher, Ruby Fiction, revealed the whole cover of my debut novel to the world on Tuesday. I'm sure no one had guessed that there was a 60s camper van hidden away on the teaser! The timing of the cover reveal couldn't have come at a better time. It was #TuesNews @RNAtweets day on Twitter and the support I've received from RNA members together with so many other generous writers in the writing community has been overwhelming. Thank you to every one of you! It suddenly all became very real for me. My book was out there and I was going to become a published novelist. Publication date is April 21st, just six weeks away, and my novel is available for pre-order. I also have Jan Baynham Author Page on Amazon.

How important are book covers? The old saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' certainly doesn't ring true for me. I am a visual person and when selecting books, my imagination goes into over-drive when looking at a cover. In May 2016, I wrote a blog, Judging Books By Covers, and eleven people commented. Most agreed with me that together with reading the blurb on the back of the book, covers can influence you whether or not to select a book. As I said in that post, I like to make up my own mind about what characters are like through reading but the mood of a story can be suggested by the colours and atmosphere suggested in an image. I hope you agree that Ruby Fiction has done that with my cover, especially when you read the blurb. I love it. 

The blurb on Amazon says: 

It's 1969 and free-spirited Elin Morgan has left Wales for a sun-drenched Greek island. As she makes new friends and enjoys the laidback lifestyle, she writes all about it in her diary. But Elin's summer of love doesn't last long, and her island experience ultimately leaves her with a shocking secret.

Twenty-two years later, Elin's daughter Alexandra has inherited the diary and is reeling from its revelations. The discovery compels Alexandra to make her own journey to the same island, following in her mother's footsteps. Once there, she sets about uncovering what really happened to Elin in that summer of '69.

 Thank you for reading. What makes you order a book?
            - cover alone
            - cover and blurb
            - blurb only
            - word of mouth
I'd love it if you shared your thoughts. Thank you

You may also follow me on Twitter @JanBaynham and on Jan Baynham Writer Facebook page.