About this blog

This is a window into the weird world of Anglicanism, as experienced on a Cathedral Close. Has anything much happened since Trollope's Barchester Chronicles? You will still see the 'canon in residence' hurrying across to choral Evensong, robes flapping, as the late bell chimes. But look carefully and you will notice he is checking the football score on his iPhone as he runs. This is also a writer's blog. It charts the agony and ecstasy of the novelist's life. And it's a fighter's blog. It charts the agony and ecstasy of the judo mat. Well, the agony, anyway.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

ACTS & OMISSIONS

It's an exciting day in the life of an author when the new book jacket arrives.  Usually it is accompanied by a letter from the publisher, which says, 'Here's the jacket look for your novel. We hope you like it.  Everyone here is really thrilled with it!'  The author examines the design and bursts into tears, because it totally fails to capture the essence of their book.  This feeling is registered with the publisher, who wrings his or her hands and says, 'Oh dear! That's a shame.  Because we're really thrilled with it.'  I.e. it's what you're getting.  (This is what your contract means when it says you have the right of consultation over the cover.)

Well, happily, the process of finding the right look for Acts and Omissions has been a lot more pleasant and satisfying than that.  For me, anyway.  The design team at SPCK may tell a different tale, quite possibly one which includes phrases like 'high maintenance' and 'control freak'.  But here's what we've decided on:


The painting--called 'Evensong'--is by Ian Scott Massie, and you know what?  I'm really thrilled with it!  I hope it tempts you to buy a copy for yourself, another for your friends and family, and one for every clergy person you know.  Finally (just to be on the safe side so nobody feels left out) twenty more for everybody you can think of.  Published on July 17th 2014.

10 comments:

  1. Oh, Catherine, that's LOVELY.

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  2. I didn't keep up with the serialisation of Acts and Omissions, despite my good intentions, so I'm looking forward to its publication. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, as is the new cover for Angels and Men.

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  3. I agree. Lovely pictures, both.

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  5. Beautiful...am looking forward to devouring the whole book in one go...

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  6. Great news about the two new novels. I've felt quite bereft since "Love for the Lost"!

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  7. There it is.Dean's wife new book,with a meaningful cover.
    we are really proud of you.

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  8. Stunning covers, and looking forward to "Acts and Omissiosn". Will it, or any of your previous novels, be available as audio books? Or e-books at least, so I can get my Kindle to read them aloud synthetically? (I've lost most of my signt recently - "Love for the Lost" was one of the last books I read as printed text, and I loved it SO much).

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    1. Thank you. Sorry to hear about your sight loss. No plans for audio books, but Angels & Men is being reissued by SPCK both as a real book and an eBook. Fingers crossed they will also buy the rights for Love for the Lost!

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