30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Tim Kim — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:11:13 -0500

Happy Saturday! Hopefully, you’ll have the perfect weather for writing this weekend, whether that means a cold, crisp sun that makes the day perfect for writing in your notebook in the park, or a heavy rain that pitter-patters on your roof in time to your typing. Take a moment to find some inspiration in today’s cover, designed by the inimitable Jennifer Carrow: James: or the Boy Who Eventually Grew Up by melbelle0418 Before Peter Pan lived in Neverland there were others. James was the first who lived alone until he and his fairy, Flare, met Lily. James and Lily started a home for the lost boys and girls who ended up on Neverland, all accompanied by a lovely fairy. James was the accepted leader of the children who lived in the woods, and they all knew to stay friendly with each other because the more you think and feel like a grown up, the faster you will become one. Then a child is brought to the island, a baby who is more angry than any other child. He grows into a boy fast, and an arrogant boy at that, who claims to be the leader of the “lost boys.” James enters into a downward spiral: he loses his fairy to a non-believing moment, his only girl he ever loved to the sea where she lives as a mermaid, and his best friend Lily to the plateau where her skin grows red and she calls herself Tiger. James ages quicker than ever as he tried to find a way to bring down peter pan. Kentucky bred and Cooper Union educated, Jennifer Carrow spends her days designing covers at Farrar, Straus and Giroux and her nights in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter. See more of her work at jennifercarrow.com

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Stalebreath — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:32:32 -0500

Excellent! Love the cover, LOVE the story idea. If I saw this on the shelf, I'd buy it.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Lilia Sparks — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:39:16 -0500

Do the names remind anyone else of Harry Potter? James and Lily were Harry's parents

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Netherworld_Inc — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:45:24 -0500

This is kind of the coolest thing ever.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

buppyspek — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:45:56 -0500

I noticed that too, but then I realized that Peter Pan came long before Harry Potter, and the James in question here is Captain Hook. Very clever. Love the story, and the cover totally fits. Hope I can read it someday.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

RubyMarlin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:51:37 -0500

I want to read this story and this cover would make me pick up the book. I love it.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

melbelle0418 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:52:51 -0500

I am beyond excited. My face is probably going to be stuck like this O.O for the next couple of hours. Thank you so so much to Jennifer Carrow!!! <3

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

mariop715 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:01:16 -0500

That is, literally, one of the best covers I've seen... in my whole life.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

I Can't Write For My Life — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:14:58 -0500

Beautiful! And the synopsis for the story seems very interesting as well! Thank you Jennifer Carrow!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Carolz. — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:20:06 -0500

Wow! Love it!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

JaneAusten — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:36:14 -0500

Oooooh!!! Like like LOVE this!!! Congrats, Melanie!! Sounds like a novel that I would grab up in an instance; I love anything that has to do with Peter Pan and Neverland, and I don't think that I've ever thought of Captain Hook's past before...very intriguing. :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

djtrousdale — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:47:18 -0500

I love all these covers, but I would have to say this is my favorite so far. And what a fitting spin on the tale, it just clicks. :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

FlameRaven — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:50:09 -0500

Ohhh. Interesting.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

quilled — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:01:37 -0500

This is just absolutely incredible!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

WileJ — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:01:48 -0500

Awesome cover. My favorite so far, I have to say. This is definitely one book I would pick up based on the cover.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Chestergirl28 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:15:34 -0500

Such a clever idea! This is probably my favorite cover and story that has won 30C30D. It's really neat!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Ryan Lohner — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:22:45 -0500

Love the idea, applying the Wicked treatment to Peter Pan. Especially in the 2003 film, I really felt sorry for Captain Hook.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

A. E. Killingsworth — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:53:16 -0500

Ooh! I love this idea. I would definitely pick this up in a heartbeat if I saw it in a store. The cover is superb, too.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

I Can't Write For My Life — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:58:13 -0500

Wow! I didn't know that Captain Hook's name was James! This makes it even more interesting, I would totally buy this book! Just to see the start of it all. Beside's the cover just calls for attention.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Kitty Taylor — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:00:21 -0500

I'm so glad this cover got made. Both the art and the synopsis are wonderful! (This synopsis definitely got my vote. X3) I'd love to read it!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Mirage Knight — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:08:05 -0500

Fabouslus story i want to read it now too.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Ingrid- — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:14:47 -0500

Favorite cover so far! I absolutely love it! And I also thought of Harry Potter when I read Lily and James. ;) But the way you used those names is really clever! I'd love to read the book once. <3

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Drillbit_the_knitter — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:36:09 -0500

this. is. so. brilliant. wow. I really want to read this! :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Lady_Indis_Dress — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:47:24 -0500

That's really cool!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

PhantomDream — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:56:03 -0500

Beautiful color, very attention-grabbing. And I would definitely read this if I found it in a bookstore!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

NeverBefore — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:00:01 -0500

This looks amazing. Story and cover, both.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

cleobourne — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:11:31 -0500

wow! I can't wait to read this one! You nailed Tiger Lily(my favorite only once or twice named character)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Cynthus — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:28:46 -0500

Nice job.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Jessykuh — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:55:21 -0500

Lovelovelove the cover and the story idea! I want to read it so bad! (P.S. Heyyy, take away the G and we'd have the same last name. My last name is Rogan :P)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

ilse — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:21:23 -0500

Wow, GREAT cover and a GREAT story idea! If I saw it on the shelf of a book store it would get into my wish list as fast as possible! (I work with wish lists because I dont have enough money...) :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Zahra — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:46:17 -0500

Lovely cover. But I like the story even better! If this were to be published, I'd buy it!!!!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

sparklemaster — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:55:41 -0500

I REALLY want to read this one!!!! And as someone who lives very near J.M. Barrie's birthplace and is rather Peter Pan obsessed that is REALLY a huge thing for me to say! :D ;)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

clockworkfiles — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:01:18 -0500

A unique idea and a stellar cover!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

fParkyr — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:01:40 -0500

Whoa! Cool concept! The cover goes quite well with the synopsis.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

havochaos — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:31:45 -0500

OH MY. Please finish this story and get it published ASAP.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Kinzz — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:03:29 -0500

Okay, I usually do not comment on another writer's work based solely on a synopsis, but here, as with most things in life, I have found an exception. The concept sounds fantastic. The cover is mesmerizing. I have been found guilty on more than one occasion of judging a book by its cover. While that judgment usually results in refusing to purchase a book with a drab cover, the opposite has also been true. Combined with the great synopsis, the cover completely sells the concept. I love it.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Jeronimus — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:16:09 -0500

Yeah, I had just read the synopsis when it dawned on me that Captain Hook's name was James. I actually jumped back in my seat, flailing my arms around. In other words, that excited me and made me very interested to read this - the synopsys definitely has me hooked. And the cover's wicked at that as well, so that's a double hit. Fantastic job.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

silvertouch — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:42:57 -0500

Oh my god. This cover is brilliant and the synopsis...I hope this is published. I really do, because I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Ashrazan — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:14:30 -0500

Sigh, alright I hate to be the negative one in the group but for reference, I am an artist (albeit a bad one) and spend a lot of my time on deviantart which is full of talented young artists who do beautiful work. The concept for the cover is nice but... Personally, I'm not happy with the sudden rise of photos and photoshopped pictures on fiction book covers. It's an opinion I know. It's not that these people don't spend a lot of time on their work but I find genuine art more interesting and appealing. I confess, I tend to judge a book by its cover and skip over the ones that have been photoshopped (another reason to read children's books). I know that it costs money to hire an artist to create a cover for your book but in my opinion it adds a whole other layer of depth to the look of the book. The Harry Potter books are a great example of how you don't need an amazing illustration to catch a reader's attention. If you want something fantastical and larger than life turn to an artist, that's what they do best... I suppose the heart of my argument is, there is only so much you can do with photos but art, in a way, is limitless and it gives a sense of uniformity to the design. On a different note, the story does sound quite interesting but I think, especially since it is dealing with Neverland, it should have a more fantasy based cover... My apologies to anyone who does this for a living but this rant has been stored inside me for a while...

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Marian_Frae — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:09:49 -0600

As has been mentioned--James is Hook's name. As *hasn't* been mentioned... Lily exists in canon as well. Take note of the line that mentions her changing her name to Tiger. Remember Tiger Lily? Hook has an odd... almost obsession with her in almost every version of the story. Tiger Lily being his best friend from childhood would explain that. This is rather exciting and has the potential to be as explosive as Wicked was.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Kibsy — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:55:08 -0600

Haha what a brilliant looking cover. It is an amazing design. The synopsis is incredibly clever too. I'd definitely grab this one off the shelf if I saw it!!!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

.ethereal. — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:39:09 -0600

Awesome cover! And I totally want to read this book now :D

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Ellfie — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:49:45 -0600

Just adding my own comment of absolute love over the cover and synopsis! Brilliant! :D

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Frl.Löwenzahn — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:51:44 -0600

I love the cover, I love the synopis :) Hope you get published!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Mariana OConnor — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:29:39 -0600

God this is epic. Want to read so much! ^_^

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

rcole — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:43:07 -0600

Oh my gosh! I love retellings of Peter Pan. And that's an interesting idea with Lily. And, of course, the cover is amazing! Great job you guys! I hope I get to read this book some day!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

FXDaniels — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:07:52 -0600

I have to agree with this. The book sounds super cool and I want to read it right now, and the cover concept is extremely clever with Peter Pan pinned to a bull's-eye. But it's true that this lacks the feel of a fantasy novel, or even a literary work of this type (it's a spin-off of a classic work of children's literature). I do like that it's more adult than YA (is that the right target audience, though?), but it strikes me as more appropriate for a modern novel, i.e. set in the modern time and world. Different categories have different looks that are evocative of those books...a romance novel, for example, would never be confused with a thriller even if you didn't know the title or anything about the story. I'm not an artist so I don't have the solution, but perhaps as Ashrazan suggests this could be "fantasized" a bit by converting the concept into something that looks more like an illustration, with subtler colors and lines. I dunno. But I do think overall it isn't quite right for the category.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

munkiC munkiDU — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:42:43 -0600

Best cover so far. Love it ^_^

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

ThirteenthWind — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:10:34 -0600

This sounds freaking fantastic!!! Have you read/heard of "The Child Thief"? This sounds like a similar idea...doing another take of Peter Pan. :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

bluebrd — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:04:36 -0600

This definitely one of my fave covers so far. And I would definitely buy and keep this book along with my copy of Peter Pan I have loved this story since childhood and love the whole idea of back story to the Neverland story. Good luck and please keep going.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

anatha — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:13:09 -0600

From the few I've seen so far, this one's my favorite! An excellent premise for a book complemented by a gorgeous cover, f' sho'. :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

groundsofbklyn — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:24:21 -0600

THIS. Sounds. AMAZING. :O

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

indieellie — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:09:29 -0600

Everything about this is fantastic. The synopsis sounds amazing, and the cover is so vibrant! Would definitely buy this.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

L.M.Buck — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:54:33 -0600

I'd actually really love to read this! :D

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

starlost — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:15:28 -0600

A friend told me about this book and I had to look. I hope you get it published. I for one would read it. then I'd buy it for my grandchildren. Jon

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

littlehurricane — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:24:04 -0600

I WANT to read this.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

beyondwaiting — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:02:51 -0600

I'm a fairytale fanatic and I consider Peter Pan a fairytale. This cover rocks, and the plot rocks even harder. I mean, James Hook as the original leader of the lost boys? I always wondered how he ended up in Neverland. Melanie, you have to get this book published and I have to read it.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Laurel Cassandra Hathaway — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:21:32 -0600

Okay, I can't see the cover because my computer is funky like that, but I have to say this is one of the books I know I'd add to my 'favorites' list before I read the manuscript just by the summary. It is great and well-thought-out, and well...just amazing! Good luck with it! And though I may not being able to see the cover, I do have to congradulate you, Melanie, on getting a cover for your enticing book!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Penelope Wrightly — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:51:12 -0600

Enter Captain James Hook! Love the whole idea. Marvelous cover as well.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Diabolical_Jazz — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:53:02 -0600

Really wicked concept! And a great cover for it, as well. I hope this book gets finished. If I see his on a bookstore shelf, I'm buying it for sure.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Spelaea — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:47:41 -0600

I wanna read it.... *Sigh* And it ain't even written yet. Darn.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

LadyLuck — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:07:46 -0600

WOW! The synopsis of this story sounds fascinating! I, like a couple of others here thought at first of Harry Potter when I heard James and Lily, but when someone pointed out that James was Captain James Hook - o.O! I would LOVE to read this book. All it needs is a cover to grab someone's attention long enough to get them to read the blurb - then they'd be hooked (no pun intended)! The image of a bloody Peter Pan certainly caught my attention. Can I please read this book? Pleeease?

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

melbelle0418 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:15:09 -0600

Hahahahaha - they'd be hooked. I love it!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

ADCurtindolph — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:43:43 -0600

That is genius! The cover rocks and the synopsis only makes me want to read the novel and hope it gets adapted into a screenplay or musical ala "Wicked." If this isn't published soon it will be a shame.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Ms M. — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:17:23 -0600

OMG I NEED to read this story. It sounds amazing!! And the cover is really nice, too.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Uniquely-Hopeless — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:37:44 -0600

Gasp! I totally want to read this now! I love the concept!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

iamtrent — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:12:56 -0600

this one is so awesome

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

nickybr38 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:58:43 -0600

Interesting.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Mew Knightley — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:10:49 -0600

I want to read this.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

DDog — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:35:25 -0600

Holy carp, I want to read this!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Exhilaration — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:45:36 -0600

I need to read this omg.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

britthatsit — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:51:18 -0600

Very cool :) Congrats (I love everything about this.)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Alias Cyborg — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:26:48 -0600

Must... read... book... Amazing cover and great synopsis!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

I Can't Write For My Life — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:04:47 -0600

It seemed very interesting that the main character was Captain Hook instead of Peter.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

ARABICA — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:46:46 -0600

AMAZING story idea, and the cover's eye catching as well <3

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Ariana Knight — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:32:22 -0600

Awesome cover and I love the synopsis, too. Sounds like a book that I would read. :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Seaquille — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:35:40 -0600

Cartoon-like colours. Not sure that is the impression the author wanted? Using a very disney-like design as a centerpiece might have some copyright issues, but otherwise, it gets the point across. Using the Peter Pan image overlaid on a target definitely fits the author's write-up. Title and author's name are visible - that's good. But the whole design is a bit flat, very very two-dimensional. There might have been more of an artistic appeal if the target was actually painted or made to look more realistic. Just using concentric rings of colour makes the whole effort look cheap.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Dragonsphinx — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:28:38 -0600

Sounds so exciting! I agree on the Disney Peter Pan image probably raising copyright issues if published, but beyond that the cover is great! :) I'd kill to read this story!

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

OceanWater — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:06:36 -0600

Anybody else get the Harry Potter reference? JAMES and LILY?

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Sarona-Nalia — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:41:07 -0600

My goodness, I hope this gets published someday. I want to read it.

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Kayla Rain — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:38:47 -0600

Your book sounds absolutely amazing! The cover is simply awesome, too :)

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Kayla Rain — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:39:37 -0600

ALL THESE CONNECTIONS ARE MIND BLOWING

Re: 30 Covers, 30 Days 2011: Day 5

Griffinclaw — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:20:29 -0600

This is such a great cover. I love the use of the colors and the silhouette design that was used. Plus the plot sounds incredibly AWESOME! Would I read this? For darn sure I would! I would love to see this published someday. Because it is just too cool sounding to not! ^.^