My husband took this photograph of Michelangelo’s Madonna & Child at the Church of Our Lady when we were in Bruges earlier this year and we have chosen it as the image for our 2008 Christmas card.
Since it would take a forest of trees to send cards to every bookseller, librarian, reader, reviewer, writer (published and unpublished) who I’ve met or chatted with over the internet during the course of my career I am sharing it with you all here.
Since it would take a forest of trees to send cards to every bookseller, librarian, reader, reviewer, writer (published and unpublished) who I’ve met or chatted with over the internet during the course of my career I am sharing it with you all here.
May each of you have a joyous and happy Christmas with all your loved ones safe around you, and a peaceful, happy New Year in which your dearest wishes come true.
* * *
Finally in 2008 I have a lot of people to thank for making this
50th book year so special for me.
* * *
Romantic Times
for a
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Romantic Novelists’ Association
for nominating
The Secret Life of Lady Gabriella
for the Romance Prize/Betty Neels Trophy
All About Romance
for making Wedded in a Whirlwind a
Desert Isle Keeper
The countless authors who’ve taken time out of their busy lives to come and guest on my blog, give away copies of their books and be great friends.
Wonderful reviewers who have taken the time to read my books and tell the world about them.
There have been fourteen editors in my life since my first book was accepted in 1991 and it’s been a joy to work with every one of you.
But most of all a huge
THANK YOU
to my
READERS
who spend their hard earned money on my books, search them out in libraries, hunt down my backlist in used book stores.
Without you there would be no books and I bless you all.
* * *
Finally in 2008 I have a lot of people to thank for making this
50th book year so special for me.
* * *
Romantic Times
for a
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Romantic Novelists’ Association
for nominating
The Secret Life of Lady Gabriella
for the Romance Prize/Betty Neels Trophy
All About Romance
for making Wedded in a Whirlwind a
Desert Isle Keeper
The countless authors who’ve taken time out of their busy lives to come and guest on my blog, give away copies of their books and be great friends.
Wonderful reviewers who have taken the time to read my books and tell the world about them.
There have been fourteen editors in my life since my first book was accepted in 1991 and it’s been a joy to work with every one of you.
But most of all a huge
THANK YOU
to my
READERS
who spend their hard earned money on my books, search them out in libraries, hunt down my backlist in used book stores.
Without you there would be no books and I bless you all.
18 comments:
And THANK YOU, Liz, for letting us share this wonderful year with you!
Merry Christmas, Liz and thank you for all the wonderful books.
Happy Christmas, Liz. And thank you for keeping me sane in a difficult year with your wonderful stories.
Merry Christmas Liz and a very happy new year to you.
We're still working hard on developing the new covers! I've just been chatting with our Creative Director, we were wondering what you think are the key ingredients for a great Mills and Boon image?
Thank you!
Mele kalikimaka a me hau'oli makahiki hou mai Hawai'i nei!
Mahalo a nui loa e Liz.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from beloved Hawai'i!
A great big thank you Liz.
I loved reading through all your guest author blogs and loved reading your monthly home page poems and writing! I am glad I found your website and will continue to check it out through this next year. Loved reading all of your books this year and the back books that I could find :)
Loved sharing this year with you.
Me ke aloha pumehana (with warmest affection) Snookie
Merry Christmas Liz, and have a wonderful New Year.
Hi Kathryn
Covers are such a vexed question for authors. I think most of us would like something "tasteful" that no one would feel embarrassed reading on the Tube. However, we know from bitter experience, that readers want a cover and title that gives them an instant summary of what the book is about -- something that they can grab from the supermarket shelf while coping with the kids and the week's shopping. Non-romance readers do not understand that so much is "short-hand", instantly recognised by insiders.
We cannot afford to confuse those readers.
A lot more can be done with images, though. Two pairs of feet can tell a story all by themselves, sexy, sweet, hot; bed, beach, sofa; sandals, Jimmy Choo's, slippers. :)
I think most of us were pretty pleased with the latest version of the Romance cover, tbh. It's a dark pink rather than something sickly sweet, it says "Romance" rather something cringeworthy like "Enchanted" or "Tender". It is lovely to be asked, though! :)
Sorry -- Napier John is me -- forgot to switch back from the dh's Google account.
I love my very first cover, for the January 2009 Undone. The first print book won't be out until April and I haven't seen a cover for it yet. Can't wait!
But I do agree with the concept of a shorthand that readers expect. Since I write historicals, the one thing that makes authors and readers a bit crazy is when the clothes etc are wrong for the period. Especially the Regency. And for some reason, the author seems to get the blame if the gown is, say, Victorian. lol
I think if a cover can give the mood of the story, funny, dark, sensual, and have the people looking like someone you would want to meet and, if it is a guy, fall in love with, that would work really well.
Yes, I think the Romance authors all liked the new covers when they came out. Very romantic feeling and story oriented.
What makes a good cover for me is one that a) reflects something in the story, and b) has the characters right. If I have a blonde in the book, a heroine with black hair on the cover drives me mad. And I like it when the covers aren't too busy.
One trend I've seen lately that throws me off is the picture being on an angle. Judy Christenberry's latest is an example. The picture is lovely, but why is it sideways?
I think the other important factor is for the tone of the cover to match the tone of the stories within.
Hi, Kathryn,
I agree with Ann about Historical covers. I wish more attention was paid to the clothing.
I write in the Regency period and have generally loved my covers but wish that cover artists would look at images of Regency dress to get it right. All it takes is one image of Colin Firth dressed as Mr. Darcy to learn that a gentleman does not tie a neckcloth in a floppy bow. I wish the artists would take just a little time to learn about what is correct, because the clothing in the Regency is gorgeous.
Everytime I fill out the art form, I include images of Regency dress and I always feel as if no one takes the time to look at them.
For a recent Australian cover, three of my books were released in one volume, but the cover image was Medevial. I have to think I will lose sales for those readers who are specifically seeking a Regency book.
Thanks so much for being interested in what authors think about covers!
Merry Christmas, Liz!
'Wedded in a Whirlwind' should hit OZ shelves next week, can't wait!!!
With covers, I want a cover that encapsulates the essence of the book at a glance, whether it be passionate, sweet, romantic, family, whatever.
The new Romance covers have been lovely, really romantic.
Merry Christmas, Liz - thanks for keeping us entertained this year with your wonderful books (and your fun blog!).
Like Nic, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Wedded in a Whirlwind!
Hi Kathryn,
In terms of covers, I have to say I'm in agreement with most of the others here. The Romance covers are really quite lovely, but I like to get a hint of the setting from a cover too. Having said that, like Donna, I don't like a busy cover either.
Love your idea of images of feet telling a story, Liz.
I've been really happy with the very classy look of the Romance line (I especially like the US covers which are predominately white which places the focus squarely on the cover elements). My favorites are ones which contain one standout element with a smaller rendering of the hero and heroine (but not too busy). I think I may be the only one here who feels this way, but branding the line with the really bright pink has always made me blink a bit, but otherwise, the covers are wonderful.
Thank you for soliciting comments.
And Liz, thank you for being such a wonderful hostess and wonderful writer!
Liz,
You are an amazing person with a God given talent. Your stories never cease to delight and entertain me. You have given all of us readers a rare gift by putting your pen to paper, and providing us all with countless hours of fun while reading your books.
Thank you again for creating such a wonderful blog! I really have a lot of fun catching up with you and all the other authors that have guested here this last year! Merry Christmas and have a wonderful and blessed New Year!
:-)
Beautiful picture Liz
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