Hope of the Future full print cover
My upcoming novel, Darcy and Elizabeth: Hope of the Future, is FINISHED! Yes, I typed the final sentences on July 9 and after a few tweaks and other prep work, had the completed manuscript in the hands of my editor, Gretchen Stelter of Cogitate Studios, by July 12. Whoot!
Now, we all must wait as Gretchen works her amazing editing magic skills. She is a busy, in-demand editor, but is also a HUGE fan of my work, having edited all of my novels except for the very first one. After she edited Loving Mr. Darcy so fantastically, I insisted on Sourcebooks contracting with Gretchen for all of my books. Thankfully, they did so, and I was additionally blessed when Gretchen agreed to continue to work with me freelance when I went independent. In truth, she insisted on editing my future novels! She is the bomb! Being patient for Gretchen is well worth the wait, trust me.
If all goes according to our plans (me and Gretchen) the edited manuscript will be back to me by July 31, or shortly thereafter. While my editor is doing her most important part, I am getting everything ready on my end. LOTS to do with preparing files for all the various marketplaces and formats, believe me! The more I do now, the smoother the final processes once I have the perfected manuscript in hand. Hopefully, I can have the novel ready and available for purchase within a handful of days, but, just to be on the safe side, I am setting a release publication date of August 8, 2017.
One of the task needing to be completed was the full spread print cover. In the process of creating the final covers, I also updated the front cover. In the past three years I have honed my digital skills immensely. I applied those talents by improving the color and “cleaning up” the digital image of the wonderful painting by William Breakspeare.
Using the same format from Darcy and Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship, I updated the spine and the back cover blurb. For the photo on the back cover, I licensed three different images from Adobe Stock, and blended them using GIMP to create a scene reminiscent of “willow bench” from the novels. Click on the image below for a larger view.
*click for larger view
Lovely cover – the bright colors bring it all to one’s attention. Good luck with the release.
The cover is beautiful. And so beautifully compliments A Season of Courtship.
Waiting not so patiently!!!! ???
The images certainly jump off the page! Love it and can’t wait for August!
Nice looking cover. Checked Amazon for the heck of it and don’t find it available yet for pre-order. Please keep us informed!
I will, I promise! Problem with pre-order is that one needs to upload the manuscript, which I won’t have (the edited one, that is) until my editor gets it to me. And by then I might as well just put it up for sale! But, I am looking into options. 🙂
I love this cover, both front and back. I would love to sit under that tree to read this book. So looking forward to it. Huge congratulations Sharon!
Thank you so much, Glynis!