Every book needs a cover

So here, at last, is the cover of my book!

Had it been left to me it would’ve been much simpler — verging on minimal, even — but when my editor sent me the first version (what you see above is the third and final) I immediately understood what they were thinking. We needed a cover that was rich and luscious to draw prospective readers to it. It’s textured, colourful, layered and thoughtful — just like the words it contains. And truth be told, this is absolutely the sort of cover I would pick up in a book store.

Having my mug on the cover made me squirm at first — that old visibility thing rearing its head. But I remember the day I took that photo and it was full of calm and quiet. And the photo of my sister on the right is one of my favourites. Seeing us together makes me smile.

The cover also reminds me of the wallpaper that decorated the dining room of our house when we were kids. This wasn’t planned but it feels so meant to be:

(Can you see how much Noah looks like his mummy?)

We’re working on the insides of the book at the moment — after the richness of the cover, the insides are much more calm and simple, with Polaroids dotted throughout the text. We’re getting our zen on and I think you’re going to like it :)

Some stats:
The book will be 5.5 x 7.5 inches
Hardcover
Publication date: June 5th, 2012
Price: $21.95 (£14.31) but you can pre-order it on Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk* right now for $14.93 (£12.78)

* Did you see what I did just then? I linked to my book on Amazon! There is a young girl dancing inside of me right now, the girl who spent entire weekends lying on her bed reading books. The girl who wrote stories about love and recorded the smallest details of her life in her notebooks…

October 13, 2011 in Writing life | Permalink Comments (94)

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Posted by: Jenn Gibson | October 13, 2011 at 8:05 pm

Susannah! Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous, so warm and fun and pretty! Feminine.

I love it! Oh I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Posted by: Andrea | October 13, 2011 at 8:20 pm

Congrats! Dreams really do come true:)

It’s a lovely book and I can’t wait to get a copy of it. Off to pre-order right now!
Posted by: Tia Sparkles Singh | October 13, 2011 at 8:26 pm

Congrats girlfriend, that is one GORGEOUS book and it draws me in right away. Here’s to dreams coming true :)
Posted by: Gayle L.. | October 13, 2011 at 8:27 pm

Fucking awesome. :D
Posted by: Gayle L.. | October 13, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Did you see what I just did?! I followed the link and bought your book!

#dreamsdocometrue
#thebeststudentsgetthehardesttests

Posted by: susannah | October 13th, 2011 at 9:57 pm

you are so awesome, G – thank you :)
Posted by: kats-eye-view | October 13, 2011 at 8:38 pm

“this i know” … the book cover is simply stunning …
Posted by: EMC | October 13, 2011 at 8:40 pm

Congrats, it looks so beautiful! Very happy for you. E.
Posted by: Melbpart3 | October 13, 2011 at 8:40 pm

I just pre-ordered both of your books on the US Amazon site. Can’t wait! The cover is so beautiful!
Posted by: angie | October 13, 2011 at 8:42 pm

You must have fantasized about this day so many times – and now it’s on Amazon so it MUST be true! It’s all down to your hard work, passion and determination – congratulations, you deserve all the accolades and success I know will be coming your way xx
PS – I am pre-ordering right now!
Posted by: Debra Eve | Later Bloomer | October 13, 2011 at 8:44 pm

Just beautiful. Loved Unravelling, can’t wait to see this in print!
Posted by: Kathryn Dyche Dechairo | October 13, 2011 at 8:45 pm

Wow, way to go. You must be giddy with excitement.
Posted by: jane | October 13, 2011 at 8:45 pm

this is so fu*king awesome i am doing a dance… and beaming – congratulations Susannah what a gift to the world!
Posted by: Fiona | October 13, 2011 at 8:47 pm

My little girl is dancing too, with happiness for you :)
Posted by: Aggie | October 13, 2011 at 8:48 pm

One can also pre-order on Amazon.ca for $18.15!!!
Don’t forget us die-hard, Canadian Susannah stalkers :D

Posted by: susannah | October 13th, 2011 at 9:56 pm

i love my Canadian stalkers! :))))
Posted by: Roxanne Galpin | October 13, 2011 at 8:49 pm

so lovely … so you!
Posted by: judy-sue | October 13, 2011 at 8:53 pm

Oh my goodness I love it!!!! so excited for you
Posted by: Marthe | October 13, 2011 at 8:53 pm

Congrats!

It looks awesome, I can’t wait to read it:)
Posted by: lisa | October 13, 2011 at 8:54 pm

I cannot find enough superlatives to describe just how beautiful I think this is.
So truly well-deserved my friend.
Sending you wishes for a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Susan | October 13, 2011 at 9:04 pm

That is SO exciting! Such a beautiful cover, and such fun to know it will soon be on Amazon! Congrats!
Susan recently posted..Vlog Talk ~ Equestrian Edition
Posted by: Anita | October 13, 2011 at 9:13 pm

It looks lovely! Can’t wait to read it. I just finished pre-ordering it!

Posted by: susannah | October 13th, 2011 at 10:02 pm

weee! thank, you Anita!! xx
Posted by: Laura Fragiacomo | October 13, 2011 at 9:23 pm

you’re so sweet! congratulations! PS which sister are you, the older or younger one? can’t wait to order your new book :-)

Posted by: susannah | October 13th, 2011 at 9:55 pm

the older! :)
Posted by: jodi | October 13, 2011 at 9:34 pm

so beautiful! congratulations, lady!!
Posted by: Christianne | October 13, 2011 at 9:39 pm

Congratulations, Susannah! The cover is so, so beautiful! Can’t wait to read this beautiful book — I know it will be moving and wonderful. xoxo
Posted by: Nolwenn PETITBOIS | October 13, 2011 at 9:46 pm

It’s gorgeous !!!
Posted by: Meg Manion Silliker | October 13, 2011 at 9:54 pm

my heart skipped a beat. i am so happy for you and i can’t wait to hold the book in my hands. you deserve this. bravo. xoxo
Posted by: Dana Barbieri | October 13, 2011 at 10:02 pm

Congratulations! It looks beautiful!
Posted by: Sandie Cottee | October 13, 2011 at 10:02 pm

How exciting Susannah! The cover is just beautiful and exactly what I would pick up too. Good luck with the contents, can’t wait to see it completed!
Posted by: Shandi | October 13, 2011 at 10:12 pm

Congrats, Susannah. The book’s cover is beautiful. I’m heading over to Amazon now. :)
Posted by: mati McDonough | October 13, 2011 at 10:30 pm

Congrats lady!!!! Gorgeous!
Posted by: Nathalie | October 13, 2011 at 10:33 pm

Hey, hey, when I saw the colours (all that yellow and purple and rich pink) I thought: one hippie coming out :-) Congratulations on your book, you’re an inspiration, we don’t get enough of you lately.
Posted by: Traci | October 13, 2011 at 10:46 pm

Oh my god, that’s so awesome. I don’t even know what else to say.
Posted by: Yeti | October 13, 2011 at 10:48 pm

exciting! exciting! exciting! exciting! exciting! exciting! exciting! exciting! exciting!
Posted by: Kelly | October 13, 2011 at 10:51 pm

So glad I came across you and your blog. You are a star and a light. Here’s to having dreams come true!
Posted by: Tina Tierson | October 13, 2011 at 10:59 pm

Oh Sweetie – It’s gorgeous!!!!!!! I will definitely preorder!! xoxo
Posted by: Molly | October 13, 2011 at 11:17 pm

I am so very happy for you, Susannah! You have helped so many of us — and you deserve every success.

Now I need to go pre-order my very own copy :)
Posted by: kristen | October 13, 2011 at 11:50 pm

congratulations susannah, i’m so happy for you. and i love seeing all the pre-orders here in the comments. :) and of course, your cover moves me with you and your sister. i love it. xo
Posted by: Robby | October 14, 2011 at 12:08 am

Congratulations! You deserve the world and then some.
Posted by: elizabeth | October 14, 2011 at 12:46 am

Congrats Congrats Congrats!!!!!!

This is a big, gorgeous, LUMINOUS day– soak it in, celebrate it– create a ritual and MARK it.

Beautiful.

I am so happy for you and cannot wait to get my mitts on it!

xoxox, E
Posted by: brooke | October 14, 2011 at 12:49 am

this is amazing! congratulations!

my heart stopped a beat because ‘polaroids dotted throughout the text’ describes one of my secret dreams one day for my book :)
Posted by: Catherine Just | October 14, 2011 at 12:53 am

When I saw the cover I got chills and my heart gasped! It’s really gorgeous Susannah! Congratulations. And I FELT your joy about linking YOUR book to AMAZON.COM. YOUR BOOK IS ON AMAZON.COM!!!! Fucking AWESOME. I just pre-ordered mine, and I will cherish it. xoxoxoxoxoxo *c
Posted by: Sharon Harkness | October 14, 2011 at 1:21 am

The cover is beautiful and I would pick it up in an instant in a book store, but I’ll be pre ordering mine on AMAZON!!!!! I love that your dream came true!
Posted by: DanaN | October 14, 2011 at 1:22 am

Your cover is beautiful! Congratulations on your huge accomplishment. I can’t wait to get my copy.
Posted by: Melissa Jaine | October 14, 2011 at 1:46 am

Gorgeous girl, it is perfect! PERFECT!
And the picture of you on the cover is my very favourite picture of you – and well, of anyone really! :)
mj.
x
Posted by: Michele Fischer | October 14, 2011 at 4:34 am

It is beautiful Susannah-congratulations!
Posted by: Lauren (VisionWise) | October 14, 2011 at 5:21 am

It looks beautiful!
Posted by: amy | October 14, 2011 at 5:51 am

congratulations… how wonderful! i love that you included a photo of your feet. i have one of your lovely sneakers and flowers photos on my wall!
Posted by: Heather | October 14, 2011 at 5:59 am

wow, I love it.. Can’t wait to have it to add to my collection of amazing inspiration. I love the cover It’s a book that if I saw at the bookstore I would be drawn to in an instant..

Congrats
Posted by: Belle | October 14, 2011 at 6:19 am

Congratulations on all your hard work and a job well done! I look forward to buying my copy!
Posted by: whitney | October 14, 2011 at 3:32 pm

So happy for you Susannah!
Posted by: Rae | October 14, 2011 at 6:16 pm

How amazing.
Looking forward to having it in my hands soon. :)
x
Posted by: bonitarose | October 14, 2011 at 7:45 pm

so happy for you. u are living a dream of mine.
Posted by: judith | October 14, 2011 at 7:49 pm

ordered! can’t wait to get it, whatever cover.
xx
Posted by: judith | October 14, 2011 at 7:53 pm

my order has been placed. Estimated delivery: June 29, 2012 – July 19, 2012
yes! xx

Posted by: susannah | October 14th, 2011 at 7:54 pm

ohh, bless your heart — thank you so much, honey! xxxxx
Posted by: zainab Waggie | October 14, 2011 at 8:01 pm

Congratulations Susannah. Your cover is AWESOME!!! Keep dancing, always.
Posted by: sarah s. - redlinedesign | October 14, 2011 at 8:06 pm

susannah….its lovely…..I am placing my order as well and want to join you in the photo meditations class…..the cover looks soothing and inviting and warm…I think it expresses you so well….congrats…its been a fun process for me to see this project of yours evolve….I feel special to have been able to have a peek into its creation
Posted by: Kim | October 14, 2011 at 8:17 pm

A gorgeous cover. I can just feel your excitement and am so happy for you. Pre-ordered!

Posted by: susannah | October 14th, 2011 at 8:42 pm

yay! thanks so much, Kim! :)
Posted by: Helen | October 14, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Oh, Susannah! It’s absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Just perfect.
Posted by: Ivy | October 14, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Susannah, this is absolutely stunning. A perfect cover. I just pre-ordered my copy! Can’t wait to get it! As usual, you shine hope and inspiration into my day. Thank you. xo.

Posted by: susannah | October 14th, 2011 at 8:42 pm

weee! thank you, Ivy!! x
Posted by: Cat | October 14, 2011 at 8:36 pm

Looking forward to it. I love how the ‘i’ is bold and has a shadow of it’s own in the coloured background… Since you use an iPhone to document so much of your life and it is the journey inward to you…The ‘i’ is so perfect, : )) C x

Posted by: Cat | October 14th, 2011 at 8:38 pm

Just clicked the Amazon pre-order : )<3

Posted by: susannah | October 14th, 2011 at 8:42 pm

thank you so much, lovely Cat! x
Posted by: Marianne | October 14, 2011 at 8:37 pm

Oh my goodness! I am SO excited for you. It is beautiful – not what I can imagine you would have created yourself – but somehow still very representative of the values you represent to me – beauty, connection, vulnerability, honesty and richness.

I expect my first draft cover this coming week and they have insisted on having my mug on the cover too and have advised against the very simple approach I wanted to take too. I feel you every step of the way, sister. xx
Posted by: Alicia | October 14, 2011 at 8:42 pm

My order has been placed too! So excited–will be like Christmas in July next year :)
Posted by: Debbi Jackson | October 14, 2011 at 8:45 pm

“Beautiful” cover – so feminine and so heartfelt, the “i” being in red is so powerful too – makes you connect with yourself on some level.
Posted by: Renee @ The Calm Mama | October 14, 2011 at 8:47 pm

Eeeeeeeek!!! oh my goodness!! BEAUTIFUL!!! i can’t wait!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Posted by: Alita | October 14, 2011 at 9:03 pm

So Beautiful!… is it July already????… I want my copy!!!!
Congratulations for everything, you inspire people to keep moving, your wings can be broken in pieces but they just simply will not disappear… =)
Posted by: Jen Lee | October 14, 2011 at 9:40 pm

So very, very lovely!
Posted by: Lynda Howells | October 14, 2011 at 10:18 pm

congrats..beautiful coverxx congrats on your bookxxlynda
Posted by: Ellie | October 14, 2011 at 10:28 pm

I remember reading your early thoughts avout publishing a book and an so wowed that you made it happen, that you did the unravelling and the work and got to here!!!
It’s old style buy I’m going to order it through my local book shop so I can support them and have the whole bookshop book meeting experience. Hope that still supports you as the author?! x
Posted by: Cheri Andrews | October 14, 2011 at 11:22 pm

The cover is perfect! Calm, warm, inviting… exactly the kind of book I would pick up and it just “feels” like I did in the unravelling courses!
Posted by: wini | October 15, 2011 at 12:28 am

Congratulations on your new book!! The cover looks gorgeous!
Posted by: Erin Oates | October 15, 2011 at 2:03 am

This cover totally envelopes me with warmth – the cover makes me want to jump into the story right NOW! Gorgeous, lush and everything inviting.
Posted by: Cricket aka Gypsea Nurse | October 15, 2011 at 4:23 am

Stunning…..
Posted by: Cat | October 15, 2011 at 4:26 am

Congrats! The cover is brilliant!! Simply divine!
Smiles~
Posted by: Holly Becker | October 15, 2011 at 10:37 am

It’s beautiful but I’m concerned about the title because that is something Oprah always says – could be a problem for you???
Posted by: michelle gd | October 15, 2011 at 2:21 pm

susannah…
oh, i know i don’t really know you {outside of this blog and unravelling} but i could just cry for you, having read this post and having seen the cover for your book. it is beautiful, though that word doesn’t seem to quite cover it. it has such feeling in it, such peace. it’s stunning.

hugs and congrats to you as you move through another mile marker.

now off to pre-order…
Posted by: Chelsea | October 15, 2011 at 4:26 pm

what a gorgeous cover! I work in publishing and this is one of the most beautiful covers I have seen. absolutely one that I would be drawn to in a bookstore. congratulations susannah! I can’t wait to get my hands on this beautiful book. xo

Posted by: susannah | October 15th, 2011 at 7:29 pm

oh wow, thank you Chelsea! that means a lot to me! x
Posted by: Thea | October 15, 2011 at 7:45 pm

Oh angel this is just magnificent! I am beaming with joy for you. You are magnificent.

Love you
xo
Posted by: Julie Daley | October 16, 2011 at 3:49 am

Oh, my. It is stunning. The cover is simple stunning. Like you and everything you do, dear.
Big grin over here across the pond. Big grin for you and how the world might be different for you having written this work of art.
Love you.
j
Posted by: dara | October 16, 2011 at 4:42 am

the cover is really really “lovely” & suites you! from another Canadian stalker LOL
Congrats!
Posted by: Bonnie | October 16, 2011 at 2:52 pm

doing a happy happy dance for you!!! this is so exciting and just so awesome!! congratulations!! the cover is rich and vibrant and I can’t wait to add your book to my collection. I know it will be stunning! so happy for you. :) xoxo
Posted by: Renee Howell | October 16, 2011 at 5:21 pm

congrats and more congrats. you are doing. and that is good. enjoy the ride.
Posted by: VSC | October 16, 2011 at 6:57 pm

Beautiful, beautiful. The kind of book you never want to hide, but keep over the table just to look at its cover. Perfect colours. Congratulations!
Posted by: Rhianne | October 17, 2011 at 9:20 am

Eeee, Susannah, you’re on Amazon!!! It looks beautiful, perfect even, I’m so happy for you and I can not wait to read it :)
Posted by: Nicole | Blue Bicicletta | October 17, 2011 at 9:53 pm

oh it is beautiful! congrats!
Posted by: Kathryn | November 17, 2011 at 2:01 am

it’s completely gorgeous! My sort of cover.
I, too, have dreamt and still dream of seeing my name on a book one day and I’m sure I will. :)
So, congrats a hundred times! Dreams are lovely, especially when you make them happen.