By now you all know how much I love to tease out a cover/title reveal. Well, this next book is no different. Today we take off yet another layer. The next one will be the FULL cover!
For those not familiar about what I’m referring to, it’s the cover tease for the book f/k/a as Enigma. That title has been acquired by City Owl Press. They have retitled the book and are going in a completely different direction marketing wise and I’m here for it!
Enough teasing, Danielle, SHOW ME THE NEXT REVEAL!
eeeep!!!
The book doesn’t go live until September 7, but the pre-order links should be available soon. I’ll be sure to share them as soon as I get them! Which should be SOON!
For those following along with the rebirth of Enigma into its new form under my new publisher’s vision (City Owl Press) today is cover tease number 2!
When the publishing house acquired the manuscript they told me they’d be not only changing the overall LOOK of the book, but the TITLE would change as well. Which actually makes a whole lot of sense from a marketing perspective.
While I ADORED my original cover and title, it didn’t do its job of conveying what the story would be about. And ideally, that’s exactly what a cover should do at the first glance, even in a thumbnail. You should be able to see a cover/title and pick up the overall vibe of the story. Within that three seconds, the tone of the book should be there. It’s the very first stop a reader makes. From there, they’ll typically look at the description, then the reviews, then the sample. Each stop on the reader path is important, but if you miss the first light, you’re toast. That’s why covers matter so much.
The two covers are wildly different to be sure. But one makes a subtle statement and one makes a bold one. Go big or go home, right?
Here’s the sneak peek at the revised cover! (Full reveal on July 8.)
Obvious differences are, of course, the coloring. While Enigma is mostly white with an extinguished match (Sarah is a pyromaniac) with her looking out from that smoke, this new cover is notably darker, because at the end of the day, it’s a pretty dark story. The pyromania element is still evident, not only in the burning match, but we now will also have the word FIRE as part of the title.
City Owl Press isn’t shying away from the trauma Sarah goes through, but is rather leaning into the horrors she endures. Something I don’t think I had been ready to do when I first put the book out there. I think I was almost embarrassed by the things I put Sarah through. While I loved the story, I wasn’t really sure I wanted people to read it. I’m ready now.
All that’s left to do is be patient and let release day (Sept. 7, 2021) approach.
Exciting news today! My book, Enigma, which was recently picked up by City Owl Press is officially on their release docket!
It’s official now!
For those not up to speed, Enigma was read by one of the owners of the press and she absolutely loved it. She reached out to me to see if I would consider letting them represent the work. Because I knew the reputation of the press and the owner who read the work, it was a no brainer.
I have always had a hard time marketing Enigma, because, like the title suggests, it’s a hard nut to crack. Is it a romance? Is it a thriller? Is it about pyromania? Is it a survival story? Is it a trauma story? Well, yes. It’s ALL of those things. So, HOW do you market that?
Fortunately, City Owl Press isn’t shying away from the out of the box narrative, but are instead embracing it. As such, the book will get a makeover. Including a new cover, a new blurb, and a few passes through their editing team. Not to worry, the thrust of the book will remain untouched. Just small polishes that it likely desperately needs.
The new cover and pre-order will be available on July 8 in advance of the September 7th release. That means the old version will be taken down the first week of July. So, if you want a collector’s edition, or just really dig the old cover, be sure to snag it before then!
This new release date of September 7 means I’ll need to bump the release of Short Stories Vol. 2 until next year, but that is easily done. I’m super excited for the opportunity for Sarah’s story to reach possible new readers. Stay tuned for more info on this release, but for now I’m super stoked to have a go date!
Danielle Bannister, Author 