I wrote a few weeks ago about how I was looking forward to seeing the cover for I Let You Go, which comes out this autumn. I knew my publishers would use talented, experienced designers, and I knew the finished cover would be great, but I couldn’t help but have a few concerns. Would it be original? Or would it look like every other crime/thriller/psychological suspense novel?
I currently have 25 books in my ‘to be read’ pile, around half of which are from the same genre as my own novel. They all have great covers, in my view: they’re all on-brand, both in terms of the author and the genre; and they’re all eye-catching and exciting. But if I didn’t know the authors I’m not sure I’d pick one over the other if I was choosing something to read based on the cover alone. They’re all much of a muchness.
I expected a similar cover for I Let You Go. I imagined the colours would be a mixture of black and greys, with an accent of red. It wouldn’t have disappointed me, but it wouldn’t have surprised me, either.
Last night my editor sent through my proposed cover, and I gasped out loud. It is so different; so strong; so completely unlike anything on my book shelves at home (and – I hope – on the bookshelves in shops). It’s perfect.
I can’t show you the image yet, but I will do soon, and when I do, I just know you’re going to love it too.