Saturday, September 5, 2009

Cover Interview and Mega Prize Pack Giveaway: The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

The cover of Suzanne Crowley's THE STOLEN ONE really reached out and drew me in. The rich colors, especially the red hair were what I first noticed, and then I spent a good while just looking and marveling at all the details. Take a look:


Here's what Suzanne has to say about the cover:

The Stolen One's cover, in my humble opinion, is incredibly beautiful and haunting. It captures the mood of the novel perfectly. The cover girl, the dress, the pose, her expression, even how she is tenderly holding the pear, are a perfect match to the story.

My editor sent me photos of every stage of the production of the cover, from the search for a model to the dress. And I actually found the necklace on the cover on a site called "Sapphire and Sage." I contacted my editor who ordered one from the artist and it arrived the night before the photo shoot. Later, my editor gave me the necklace, and I actually wore it to my first event on Saturday at a local library where I did a presentation.

I got to see takes from the photo shoot which was totally cool! And eventually, when I saw the final cover, I was more than thrilled. I'm still excited when I see it. It's like an old master painting, and a Vogue photo shoot in one - the richness, the color saturation, are so incredible, yet I think it also has a modern, approachable feel. Magnificant!

And then, I was privileged enough to get to ask the photographer, Chris Borgman, a few questions (thanks to Alea for helping me brainstorm):

Did you have the chance to talk with the author or read The Stolen One in preparation for the shoot?
I personally did not get a chance to talk to Suzanne during production of the cover, but I did read a pre-release copy of the book. That helped me to visualize what the model should look like and what her surroundings might look like.


Did you have a certain amount of artistic license or were the instructions from the publisher pretty strict?
When I met with Paul, the Art Director, he had a basic sketch of the cover. It was for the model's pose and angle of view. Our discussion was mostly about what she should be wearing which would represent apoint in time within the story. I got with my stylist, who has a lot of experience in theater, and she sketched out clothing options. I then sent these to Paul. Once a decision was made I sent the sketches to a costume rental house in Long Island. We selected the dress and it was FedExed to us. These dresses are exact replicas and were used on Broadway or in museum exhibitions. We were lucky to find such a wonderful dress, it was the only place in the New England that had this kind of authentic quality.

I did a small casting of models. Since the model had to fit an exact look, it was very difficult to find our girl. Many models look too model like. We wanted a beautiful young girl that looked like a real person, of course she also had to have the red hair. We photographed her in the studio on a green background. The studio background was removed and an ivy covered wall was added. I photographed the wall at The Cloisters. I went there thinking it would provide some interesting textures and was not disappointed.

What are some alternate poses you tried out or would have given the chance?
Originally I was thinking more of royal garden in the background. After discussing it with Paul, we thought the wall was better because it was more closed in and better represented her eventual feelings while working for the queen. The open garden would look too open and free. I did play around with a few different backgrounds but liked the ivy the most cause it was simple enough to allow the type over it but still looked like a castle wall.

Another option would have been that's she inside the castle, maybe in a small room. I imaged castle walls as pretty boring in color, and we all really liked the her red hair against the green ivy. Her hair and the ivy seem to flow in a similar pattern.

Thanks Suzanne and Chris!

Fun fact - Chris also shot the cover for Cindy Pon's SILVER PHOENIX and she interviewed him about it on her site.

You can also read this interview at Shooting Stars Mag where Suzanne talks some more about the cover (and the meaning of that pear).

*************************

Now on to the giveaway! In honor of getting such a gorgeous cover, Suzanne has put together an amazing prize pack for one lucky winner, worth well over $100.



(1) lucky winner gets:
Signed hardcover copy of THE STOLEN ONE
$25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
$75 of MAC cosmetics from the 'redhead"collection (don't worry, just about anyone can wear it - you don't have to have read hair) including:
"Pinch Me" Blush
"100 Strokes" Eye Shadow
"French Cuff" Eye Shadow
"Viva Glam" Lipstick
"Teddy" Eye Kohl

Amazing right?!

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what cover artwork has grabbed you lately and why.

For a second entry, post about this giveaway on your blog (sidebar is fine) or social networking site and leave a separate comment with the link.

For a third entry, leave a comment on my review of The Stolen One.


For a fourth entry, do at least two of the following and tell me you did so in a yet another separate comment:

Leave a comment at Suzanne's blog.
Add Suzanne as a friend on MySpace.
Become a fan of THE STOLEN ONE on Facebook.
Become a fan of Suzanne on GoodReads.

This contest is open to anyone with a shipping address in the US or Canada and will end on September 19th at 11:59 CST. Best of luck!

UPDATE: Suzanne is so excited about the response that she's donating a second signed copy and she will ship that one internationally! Just indicate "international" on your entry.

271 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 271 of 271
fena said...

the cover that has grabbed my attention lately would be that of Lisa Manchev's 'Eyes Like Stars'.
the model looks elegant and portrays the character of Bettie perfectly, and there's a serene and otherworldly feel to the design that grabs my attention, and the wordings are well placed and easily read.
not that 'The Stolen One's not nice - it's nice as well - just in a different way. :D

Megan said...

The cover is really bright and beautiful. I really liked "The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes" by Jennifer Crusie. The cover was blue and had white butterflies and stars all over it. It was different but simple. I liked it.

Megan
Megala872@aol.com

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I love the cover of Elfland it is just beautiful!!!

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I posted on Twitter http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4006894647

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I posted on your Review

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I commented on the stolen one's blog.
I became a facebook fan!!

Unknown said...

What a great giveaway! Thank you!

I love the cover for Don DeLillo's "Falling Man" because it's as if you are above the clouds in a blue sky. Below you are layers of white, fluffy clouds. It's beautiful!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I left a comment about your review of The Stolen One!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I became a fan of The Stolen One on Facebook and
became a fan of Suzanne Crowley's on Good Reads.

Aimala127@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

hi, i'm hannah. and a cover thats grabbed my attention is Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. i like the color tone, and the fact that its very simple. i love the wolf, hiding in the woods, that you dont see first glance, but once its there, you can't look away... its like you're not even looking, but you find something you love snyway. and i love the lil red dot. its so... pretty. its like an explosion in the calmness of the word... SHIVER. :]

hannahfar@comcast.net

Sadako said...

Third entry (in addition to commenting about a cover I liked and putting you in sidebar, I posted on your review).

email is dibblyfresh1@gmail.com

Melissa said...

What a great giveaway!

One cover that has grabbed my eye lately was Ash.

shhhimreading[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

The cover artwork of "Hush,Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick caught my eye immediately! It's just beautifully drawn/painted & the effect of black and white with a tinge of color that turns to a darker red on the feathers looks awesome. Also, the boy (or angel?) is in a dramatic scene which draws you in to the story. even without reading a thing yet. I can't wait to get this book!

~ Bella
iroquois.girl@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Shared on my twitter acct for 2nd entry:)

http://twitter.com/BellaFranco

~Bella
iroquois.girl@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

for 3rd entry, posted comment on ur review of Stolen One
~Bella
iroquois.girl@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

for 4th entry I become a fan of THE STOLEN ONE on Facebook & become a fan/friended Suzanne on GoodReads!
~Bella
iroquois.girl@yahoo.com

thanks for the contest:)

Shawna L. said...

Shawna
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I also just now Posted it on my small blog. http://booksaremoviesinthemind.blogspot.com/

The rest of my Giveaway points are listed above another entry.

Emma said...

I love the cover of The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber.A beautiful cover.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Eyes Like Stars as caught my attention I love the glowing fairies and the girls blue hair

Juliana Dias said...

+1 I absolutely loved the cover for Darkest Powers 3: The Reckoning. It's gorgeous!

+2 http://twitter.com/tradufromhell/status/4055934023

I'm from Brazil, so International entry here!
juiceb0xx at hotmail dot com

Jonnie (JB) said...

I like the cover artwork of Intertwined. I think its the symmetry.
dftrew(At)gmail(dot)com

Hawkeyegirl said...

Wow, what an awesome prize pack! I'd LOVE to read this book!

Hawkeyegirl said...

OK only half my comment came through- stupid work computers...

The coverr art that has drawn me lately is Daughter of the Hounds by Caitlin R. Kiernan. It's an older book, but I picked it up at a used book store, mostly because the cover was so interesting. There's a girl walking down a road with a gun over her shoulders and a twisted clock overlaying the whole thing. It's strange but interesting.

Misusedinnocence said...

Oh I would love to win this, especially since I have red hair!


The latest cover that really caught me was Naamah's Kiss!


misusedinnocence@aol.com

The Lovely Reader said...

I love that cover so much! The cover that's gotten me recently is the cover of Jessica Verday's THE HOLLOW. It's absolutely beautiful.

Thanks for the AMAZING contest.
barbrafl737 (at) yahoo (dot) com

cqueen2 said...

my vote goes for Hush Hush too!!

thanks

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

Zombie Girrrl said...

That is an eye catching cover!
My favorite cover art right now is Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush. It's haunting, dark, and surreal. I love it!

zombiegirrrl21 at aol dot com

Zombie Girrrl said...

I linked you on my sidebar.

zombiegirrrl21 at aol dot com

Zombie Girrrl said...

I commented on your review of The Stolen One.


zombiegirrrl21 at aol dot com

Zombie Girrrl said...

For my fourth entry, I could only fulfill one of your criteria. I'm not on Facebook, MySpace, or Good Reads (I'm also the last person in a First World country not to Tweet!), but I did comment on Suzanne's blog. I hope that still makes me elligible, because this sounds like a really good book, and to say I'm fair would be an understantement, so those colors would be great! ;)

zombiegirrrl21 at aol dot com

Rebecca N. said...

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder because it makes me think of carefree days gone by from my childhood.

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I left a comment on your review

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Susan said...

I have to say this one (The Stolen One). It's very haunting and mysterious.

ryanw@mts.net

nfmgirl said...

I liked the cover of the book that I just finished (Karma for Beginners by Jessica Blank). I like the lavender, and the fact that you glimpse the faces of the car riders in the rearview mirror.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

Blogged it:

http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-09-13-09.html

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Cecelia said...

Earlier this summer I really fell in love with Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix. Sometimes bright colors can detract from cover art, but in that case, it was just right and beautiful.

celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

Cecelia said...

I tweeted about this contest here.

celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

Cecelia said...

I commented on your review - #10 (celi.a).

celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

Cecelia said...

I also left a comment at Suzanne's blog and became a fan on GoodReads.

celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

DeNiSe said...

The cover that really got my eye was for Brightly Woven
by Alexandra Bracken I saw the cover and fell in love with it i am dying to find out the story behind the cover the book due out in march 2010 ..so far away \\

DeniseMadness

denisemadness(at)yahoo(dot)com

DeNiSe said...

I posted about this on my sidebar
denisemadness.blogspot.com

Denise
denisemadness(at)yahoo(dot)com

DeNiSe said...

I left a comment on your review of the stolen one

Denise
denisemadness(at)gmail(dot)com

DeNiSe said...

I commentd on suzzane Blog and became a fan on her goodreads and add her on myspace

denise
denisemadness(at)yahoo(dot)com

~The Book Pixie said...

This is a terrific contest and I really hope I win. I've been about to die to read this book.

The cover art of Impossible by Nancy Werlin has really grabbed my attention. I actually recently bought it. The cover is beautiful. The colors, composition, everything is just excellent. Of course, that isn't the only reason I bought the book. lol.

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

~The Book Pixie said...

Sidebar: http://frombrianaspointofview.blogspot.com/

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

~The Book Pixie said...

Commented on review :D

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

~The Book Pixie said...

-Suzanne is friend on myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=484786200

-Became fan of The Stolen One on Facebook

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Kristen said...

I think that the expression on the girl on the cover really caught me. You can definitely tell you'll have an interesting book with a young woman like that in it. :)

bittahsweetharmonY@yahoo.com

Marie (MUM) said...

One of the most beautiful covers I've seen lately is the Canadian version of The Day the Falls Stood Still. Brown and ice blue are my favorite color combination plus the picture itself is just gorgeous.

Marie :)
utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com

Marie (MUM) said...

Commented on review

Marie
utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com

Marie (MUM) said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/utah91960/status/4096539015

Marie
utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lucyinthesky said...

Actually Cindy Pons Silver Phoenix would have been "it" until I saw this cover which is stunning and wouldn't you know it--the same graphic designer for both. This cover on The Stolen is nice enough to frame.

espressogurl at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

My favorite cover right now is Hush, Hush. I just love how the feathers are floating down beside him.

neverendingshelf@gmail.com

Unknown said...

For a second entry, post about this giveaway on your blog (sidebar is fine) or social networking site and leave a separate comment with the link.

http://neverendingshelf.blogspot.com

neverendingshelf@gmail.com

Unknown said...

For a third entry, leave a comment on my review of The Stolen One.

neverendingshelf@gmail.com

Unknown said...

For a fourth entry, do at least two of the following and tell me you did so in a yet another separate comment:

Become a fan of THE STOLEN ONE on Facebook.
Become a fan of Suzanne on GoodReads.

neverendingshelf@gmail.com

Ladytink_534 said...

My favorite cover artwork lately is the ones in Patricia Briggs' Mercy series. I know the tattoos on Mercy aren't all in the book but I do love the covers nontheless!

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sylvia said...

Yay!! Thanks you, Suzanne for making this international, I would really love to win a copy of the stolen one, it seems like a wonderful read:)

sylvia_uy4@yahoo.com

Sylvia said...

Sorry I forgot about the other thing, well, the cover art that has grabbed me is Ash, I think it looks amazing and really really makes you want to have your own copy because it just is THAT amazing:)

Mrs. Katz said...

The cover of THE HUNGER GAMES with it's subtle simplicity grabbed my attention and still haunts me months after I read it.

Mrs. Katz said...

Posted on my blog at
www.goldenlibrarylady.blogspot.com

Mrs. Katz said...

Became a fan on GoodReads
Became a fan on Facebook.

Thanks!

Paradox said...

Lately I have been in awe over the Hush, Hush cover because it is simply PERFECT!

paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com

Paradox said...

I commented on your review of The Stolen One.

paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com

Paradox said...

I became a fan of Suzanne Crowley on Goodreads (I'm Paradox there too.)

And I commented on this post on her blog: http://suzannecrowley.livejournal.com/18271.html

paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com

Lenore Appelhans said...

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! Winners will be announced shortly.

Unknown said...

The cover art that grabbed me lately was from Christina Falls by by Benjamin Black

http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Falls-Novel-Benjamin-Black/dp/0312426321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253457929&sr=8-1

Unknown said...

Tweeted here
https://twitter.com/kdet62/status/4124499404

Unknown said...

Commented on your review

Logan said...

It's amazing what a great cover can do for a book. I love great cover art...It really gets the imagination started in generating a visual image from the story

Isabeaumonde said...

The cover of "The Stolen One" is stunningly beautiful, though far from historical accuracy. Entertainment is often theater before history.

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