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W I G N A L L
Here’s the jacket for Who is Conrad Hirst? and although I didn’t care for it to begin with, it’s really grown on me, not least because it doesn’t look like a crime book (I wanted it to have a broader appeal). It also, I hope, looks quite distinctive, which isn’t always the case, as both John Rickards and Daniel Hatadi have pointed out (the latter featuring one of Olen’s books).
Let me know what you think (whilst knowing that it’s too late to change anything!).
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:27 pm
That’s a very nice cover, mate. Very nice indeed.
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Actually, Kevin, I think you’ve been pretty lucky with covers. They have an elegance that fits with the writing. And this one is no different – looks like a re-issue of a classic spy novel, actually.
You are still alive, aren’t you?
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Once I realized his head was part of a target, I thought it was just brilliant. Very compelling. I’d pick it right up.
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I’m with Patti — the earlier version of this I saw didn’t make any sense, but now I see it as a target, with the stencil lettering, it looks really cool and Cold War-ish. The texture of the coat is a nice touch, too.
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Kevin,
I dig this cover. In fact I want the book now!
Aldo
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Good one! Be thankful.
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Very nice. I like the target motif a lot.
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Thank you all, and just to prove how hopeless I am, even after I accepted this cover, I still tried to get the target stripes removed (doh!). In fact, after reading all your comments I just fired an email to my wonderfully patient editor, Kerri, to make sure she’d ignored that request!
And yes, Ray, still alive, sort of…
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Great cover. It’s slick and a nice break from the wave of derivative photos and lackluster cover design that seems to be affecting many publishers.
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Very nice.
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:34 pm
As I said before, me likes it. The only criticism I heard that I agree with is that the background could be something more interesting, even a simple cityscape would work. But really, it’s a fabulous jacket and that invisible man head is great.
July 3rd, 2007 at 11:21 pm
That is a fine cover indeed, but then I liked your PEOPLE DIE cover (the yellow one).
July 3rd, 2007 at 11:43 pm
I remember my concern about the yellow “People Die” cover was that it declared itself a little too loudly as a “boys’ book”, but then, when you made that collage of your face made up of books, I could see “People Die” straight away – and there aren’t many covers that could do that.
Again, glad everyone likes it – hope the book lives up to the promise!
July 4th, 2007 at 2:25 am
Yes, and the cover is only used once to substitute for a pimple on my forehead.
July 4th, 2007 at 6:48 am
I really like it – very striking. It’s a cover that would make me drag the book off the shelf and take a further look, even if the author’s name was Effie McGlumpfer and not Kevin Wignall. It’s stylish, different, and sort of tells you several things you need to know with the faceless image and the target.
I liked the cover of PEOPLE DIE and it didn’t seem like the cover of a boys book to me, but then, I rather like boys books. Again, it was striking.
Donna
July 4th, 2007 at 7:17 am
I like it. If I saw it on a bookstore table, I’d give it a second look simply to find out what genre it was. The fact that the title is question is also helpful in that regard.
July 4th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Speaking of the book living up to its promise. Do you know if it’ll be distributed in the US? I’ve been looking for your books for a while and have not had luck so far. I actually became interested in your books because of your blogs and haven’t really read any fiction by you yet.
July 4th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
GB, the fact that you’re asking that question is a little worrying because the US is the only place I’m distributed (I’m not published in the UK).
“Who is Conrad Hirst?” will be published in America on November 13th. “People Die” should still be available in paperback from Kensington. “For the Dogs” hasn’t been available for a while but we’re hoping S&S will put out a paperback next year. And “Among the Dead” was never published in America (long story) but a few people have managed to pick up copies.
Thanks, of course, for showing an interest.
July 4th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
I like it! The brick wall’s evocative of the firing squad. And, whoever Conrad is, he has excellent taste in clothing. Gorgeous coat.
July 4th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Boy this place is becoming popular! A day late and already 19 comments.
I too like the cover and can’t wait to read it. It must be a good year with Wignall and Steinhauer publishing books!
GB: Mr. Wignall’s books are all available online at various book sites. That’s how I tracked down Among the Dead. Of course, I am sure Kevin would prefer that you buy them new when possible.
July 4th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
To his credit, Steinhauer publishes a book every year. Wignall keeps people waiting three years and then gives them a book that’s 228 pages long.
July 5th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
That’s because Wignall only says what needs to be said, while Steinhauer enjoys the sound of his own voice.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
That’s curious. I live in the DC area and have not been able to find your books. I guess I’ll either order one online or wait for “Who is…” to appear.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Thanks, GB. I guess because I haven’t had a new book out in three years they’re not on the shelves anymore.
Which (despite Olen’s modest protestations) is why it pays to write a book a year – it keeps you current.
July 7th, 2007 at 11:32 am
My initial reaction was ‘The Invisible Man’; but that’s not necessarily a bad thing in the circs. And otherwise works for me too.
As for the PD cover, the ‘original’ blue is still my preferred.
JD.
July 11th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Kevin – I think it’s a very good cover and it would definitely have me picking it up and taking a look in a bookshop.
The pedantic artist person in me would prefer the target to be in line with the edges of the book, rather than being in line with the brickwork but I’m sure that’s just me and a bit of OCD. I’m the kind of person who straightens paintings in restaurants.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Kevin, My first impression of the cover was influenced by a number of random factors including the hijacking of your novel by my wife. She doesn’t seem to realize that I saw it first.
I used to own a coat like that one; it took me a while to see the stripes of the bullseye…it’s all reminiscent of an old Bogie movie. Can’t beat that.