The You I Never Knew was written, sold to a publisher, and edited…and then it was orphaned. In publishing, this means the editor who acquired it moved on while the book was in production. This is usually not the best news for a book, because that acquiring editor loved the book and was its in-house cheerleader. The project was handed off to a new editor. This is a bit like getting a foster child you didn’t ask for.
In my case, it turned out to be a mixed blessing. They were right in the middle of designing the cover, and it looked like this:
Now, this is a fine piece of original art. The design and layout are reminiscent of both The Horse Whisperer and a Nicholas Sparks cover, so those are pluses. It also looks a bit like Annie Proulx’s Close Range.
Does this mean the cover is right for this book? Probably not. First of all, The You I Never Knew would be a paperback original, not a hardcover book, so the art needs to “pop” on the shelf in order to stand out. The colors of this cover are muted and the mood is chilly. It might work on a hardcover jacket, but it doesn’t look instantly warm and inviting, like a “feel-good” novel.
The new editor came into the middle of cover design, knowing nothing about me or the book. There was a bright spot, though. The new editor was the extremely smart Maggie Crawford, and she was the kind of foster mother the book needed–an experienced editor who understood the market for this book. She’d worked with many bestselling authors and had a fine eye for marketing women’s fiction. She took on the cover art issue with aplomb, and came up with this.
It’s one of the least-relevant yet most commercial covers I’ve ever had. Here’s my analysis: Splashing my name on the cover in huge letters gave the illusion that this was a big book by a big author. The lettering itself–big, graceful block lettering–was reminiscent of the font used for blockbuster author Sandra Brown. And of course, it capitalizes on the galloping popularity of the biggest novel of the ’90s, The Horse Whisperer.
So I’m back on track, right? My new editor rescued the novel from obscurity and now all I’d need to do is kick back and let the sales roll in. Oh, and I’d be working with Maggie on the next book, brainstorming the plot and building on the success of The You I Never Knew. Right? Right?
NOT.
The lovely and talented foster-editor for this book was so lovely and talented that another publisher hired her away. By the time my novel was published for the first time, there was no one home. My calls were fielded by hapless assistant. With no in-house cheerleader, no marketing budget, and no PR, my book was destined to die of slow strangulation in that publishing twilight zone known as “the midlist.” If sales were poor, the publisher wouldn’t want anymore books from me, and my days as an author were numbered.
BUT.
I had a secret weapon, and that secret weapon was YOU. The You I Never Knew, aka READERS.
One of the great things about publishing is that readers don’t care what a book’s marketing budget is. They don’t care how it’s positioned on a publisher’s list or catalog. They care about the story. Not only that, when they like the story, they tell their friends. And their librarians. And their hairdresser. And the next thing you know, the book is a bestseller.
Against all odds, the first edition of The You I Never Knew made the USA Today bestseller list. Thanks to readers, the book is still in print, in a fresh new edition this week.
7 comments
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July 5, 2016 at 12:42 pm
Susan Roefaro
This is the first book I read of yours I loved it so much that I ended up reading all of your books. Love them all.
July 3, 2016 at 8:18 pm
Kay Schock
The new cover is the best. I really like it. I am checking this book out on Amazon right now. Love your books.
July 3, 2016 at 6:58 pm
Michelle Branting
Fascinating journey for you and this book. I am one of your “secret weapon”! Love this book.
March 17, 2011 at 8:43 pm
THE YOU I NEVER KNEW is THE BOOK YOU WANT TO READ « The View From Here
[…] a little backstory on this particular book, check out my blog here https://susanwiggs.wordpress.com/2008/07/27/backstory-the-orphaned-book/ and here […]
August 12, 2008 at 8:51 am
Marie K
I recently saw the movie and loved it, even the corny parts!
I just got this book from Amazon…can’t wait to get into it.
July 28, 2008 at 9:52 am
Jody
I just discovered your blog, and since I’m also a novelist AND I adored the
grand silliness of Mamma Mia!, I thought I’d say hello. I just blogged on
my blog about Randy Pausch, in case you’re interested.
I’ll check back in again!
July 28, 2008 at 9:36 am
Marie K
Haven’t seen the movie yet, but want to soon. The new cover is so much more eye-catching. Great choice by your editor. Looking forward to reading that one.