Thursday, 26 June 2008

The book is getting closer!


This is the proposed new book cover - it has to be officially decided upon by Hardie Grant, but once that happens, it should be available again within a couple of weeks

What do you think?

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like it. A well worn hat, a dirty trowel and an egg -thats not perfectly brown or white or whatever the masses want these days, just good ol' hands and knees simplicity. Sums the book up nicely.

Unknown said...

Me too, it's nice and clean and uncluttered.

Jayne said...

That looks like a great cover - very eye catching and kept simple, like the strategies inside the pages ;)

dlynthomas said...

I just recently found your blog and your book. I was wondering if this book is the same as the other one, only a new printing, or does it have additional information? I was wanting to order the book but didn't know if they were the same.

Anonymous said...

Like Dlyn Thomas I'd like to know if this version has different content.

I like the cover a lot, but for some reason I'm being thrown off by reading "the" separately from "good life". I've always thought of it as one continuous phrase "The Good Life". What if the three images were to be arranged in a single row on top or below the title instead of between each line of the title?

Linda Cockburn said...

Glad you like it, while I like the design I wonder if its subtitle makes it merge into the plethora of similiar titles out there now. Hmmm, but while the outside cover will change very little will change on the inside, so it is the same book Everett and dlynthomas.

Millie said...

i'm sorry to say but i don't like it.....
The old cover really grabbed me, it called to me if you will. All the images represented something that i cherish and make life wonderful. Honestly i don't think i would look twice if i saw this one on the shelf. I know you shouldn't judge a book buy its cover ;) and please don't get me wrong i adored the book (very inspiring). But it just seems a little sterile for me...to clean.... Just my 2 cents.

danielle said...

sorry to say i agree with joan. the old cover seemed a lot more alive and dynamic. sure, the new one is a more simple, modern-looking style -- but so many other books look just like it. i've seen so many in a similar style i would probably pass right on by.

i'm sure the inside will be just as inspiring and practical though :)

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't notice this cover in a bookshop - when I bought the first edition it leapt off the shelf because the green and the photos evoke a wild place in the tropics. This new cover evokes... well, maybe a small garden in England...! Having said that, it will probably have mass appeal, it's very fashionable, the minimalist look, clean simple images...

Anonymous said...

I'm with Joan and Danielle, I love the old cover, the new cover just doesn't make it look like the fantastic and interesting book that it is!

Linda Cockburn said...

I've sent your comments to the publisher - some very valid points made.

danielle said...

i forgot to mention, but i also liked the original subtitle/tagline more. "how one family changed their world from their own backyard" sounds much more accessible, real-life applicable, and personal. i see so many books with "tips for sustainable living" and it's always the same kind of thing -- a list of things like "don't run water when you brush your teeth" etc. i was instantly interested in your book when i saw it because from the cover i could tell that it was the real-life story of a real-life family doing everything they could practically do -- including slip-ups, which makes it that much more human and realistic.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the others. I liked the first cover better...Caleb & the eggs, etc. Looked more inviting. Also agree about the old subtitle, much more interesting. Would get more people in, I'd think.

New cover's a bit tame, IMO.

N8chaluva said...

hi all,
I agree from Joan onwards. Too white ... not green. No veggies etc. I too liked the by-line on the older version. The old exudes life and offers a challenge, the new is too clinical, mundane.
Sorry.

N8chaluva said...

hi all,
I agree from Joan onwards. Too white ... not green. No veggies etc. I too liked the by-line on the older version. The old exudes life and offers a challenge, the new is too clinical, mundane.
Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Looks great!
Wondered what you were up to.
My very own book is just out - Art Life Chooks
It's a memoir, literary, not practical, but I'll link your blog to my site.
Congrats on the new edition

Steeny said...

I'm agreeing with danielle's July 4 post. The original cover was vibrant, alive and somehow expressing more connectedness to the natural world. Also the title was more indicative of a vision of real change accessible to ordinary folk and not just about screwing in a few new light bulbs. I ordered my copy a month or two back and must say I was looking forward to receiving the original version. Regardless it will be a great read and am looking forward to receiving it in my hot little hands. Cheers to Linda, Trev & Caleb for inspiring us all.

Linda Cockburn said...

Thanks for your comments everyone, I heard back yesterday that they have decided to scrap that book cover, I think it may have been due to the feedback I sent to them from your good selves. So while that's a good thing, it also means it's back to the drawing board (literally) and now I have no idea how far away it is. However there is a bit of a push on to get it finished in time for some publicity coming up. It's embarrassing how long it's taking!

Unknown said...

HI Linda,
Just wanted to pop in and say hi. I just finished reading your book and am so inspired. Just finished making your lemon cordial recipe about an hour ago and spent some time this afternoon spraying my bug-eaten cabbages with your homemade white oil.. Hope it works!!

Thanks for all your passion.

Ash

Anonymous said...

I thought the book cover was lovely.
Congratulations are also in order, for your nomination for the News Limited Pride of Australia awards (environmental) and also the small article that followed, about your family & how you live in this months Notebook: magazine. I thought it was great, it will also reach many people and show them that living a simple life without consuming everything in sight, is achievable. Your family looks in great health for the decision you've made. I'm so happy for what you have achievied. Keep up the great work.
Chrissie & Co.

Anonymous said...

Dear Linda
have been trying to send you an email reply but it keeps saying my address is not right. so a note to say thankyou. from dianne (dijim)

Melinda said...

Why not just use the old cover?

Linda Cockburn said...

i like the idea of using the old cover, simply because it will save time!
Had another email yesterday saying that they were expecting things to fall into place any minute and happen, but hey, heard that before. Hard not to get a bit jaundiced after a while. I've decided to self-publish anything else I write, that way I can only blame myself, and I can have full environmental control!

Just wanted to say that those who have paid for the book when we still had our optusnet account (if you send us an email now it will bounce) it has no effect on your order, it is still registered with Paypal, and the book will one day arrive in your letterbox.

Thanks everyone for your patience.

Linda