On Monday, my British publisher—Constable & Robinson—sent me the mock-up for the cover that will adorn the UK edition of Human Game. They’ve slightly altered the subtitle, “The True Story of the ‘Great Escape’ Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen,” streamlining it and using it almost as a tagline. The cover imagery is stark and derived from a scene in the book. I’m absolutely thrilled with the result.
The British edition hits stores March 7, 2013, which just happens to be my son’s second birthday. Perhaps it’s an omen. The book was three years in the researching and writing, so it’s quite rewarding to reach this phase of the publishing process.
It’s amazing how different the cover is from the US edition. Both are striking in their own way, but I think the British cover packs much more of an emotional punch. The American version, published by Penguin, will be in stores October 2.
The British cover almost looks like a movie poster. Makes it look like there’s a thrilling plotline. Love it!
Thanks, hannah . . . my wife and I were saying last night it looks like a movie poster. I’m blown away by the design; really couldn’t be any happier with it!
Those are both great covers! But the British one definitely looks more interesting and eye-catching.
Thanks! I think the British cover is certainly an attention-grabber and does a great job conveying key elements of the story.
I love it.
Cheers, Peggy!
I agree with you – the British cover is more interesting. The picture also suggests a lot more of the book’s contents.
Love it! The footprints and snow remind me a little of the movie poster for Fargo.
Cheers, Marc! Indeed, the footprints add to the sinister feel of the image. Love Fargo, by the way.
To me, it looks like the US cover art is trying to emphasize the true story aspect and the UK cover is highlighting the thriller aspect a bit more. The US cover with the dark colors and subdued text is similar to many miliary memoirs I’ve read. The UK cover is a lot cleaner which makes the red text and blood stand out, much like a movie poster. Are the choices perhaps related to how the US and UK arrange books in stores?
A great assessment, Wade . . . I’ve always thought the UK cover looks like a movie poster. To be honest, I don’t know why the designs are so different. Both are stark in their own way. As for how books are arranged in the stores, I think that’s up to the stores themselves and not so much the publishing house. But who knows?