Friday, February 8, 2013

Title change, cover news, and The League

Hi, everyone! I have tons of news that I'm all kinds of happy that I can share!

First off, let's talk title. Mine has officially changed. Remember this post where I announced that the series title is SKY JUMPERS? Well, we've decided that it's such a great name, that we are going to give the first book the same as the series title. So my book is now officially called...

SKY JUMPERS!

The change came at the eleventh hour, just as the finishing touches are being made to my cover. I am thrilled with having the single name on the cover! I think it's making it look and feel and sound exactly the way it's supposed to be. Exactly right. Not to mention how awesome it looks.

Speaking of the look of my cover, I got to peek at it! Oh my gosh, you guys. It's so awesome, you're going to die. I am in love with it! I canNOT wait to show you. I'll give you a hint: green. An homage to the green bombs of WWIII that wiped out nearly all the earth's population.

But more than giving you a hint, I can finally share with you who this amazing cover illustrator is!

Owen Richardson

He is the third illustrator that Random House hired to create my cover, and as soon as I got word it was him (and then spent forever ogling his portfolio), I knew he was the one. The one who was going to make the perfect cover. When my editor sent his color sketch, I nearly died of happiness. Yep! Definitely the one.

Because, come on. Feast your eyes upon some of the art he's created for book covers.


Isn't he just beyond incredible? You can check out more of his portfolio here: Shannon Associates-- Owen Richardson (And of course, all these images are copyrighted, and shown by permission from the artist.)

Go ahead and just stare for a while. I don't blame you one bit.

Done? Okay, my last bit of news. The League of Extraordinary Writers has asked me to join their ranks! And in case you were wondering, I totally fan-girled when I got the invitation accepted the invitation in a very professional manner. My first post at The League will be my intro post next week.


And since it's Friday--- a day when I normally do a Quotes and Cookies post, I'll leave you with this: a cookie recipe that Owen Richardson sent after seeing my blog. (How thoughtful is that?! It made me tear up. :'o)) This recipe is an original from his famous chef wife, Amy. Enjoy!

Peppered Ginger Cookies
Recipe by Amy Richardson

3/4 cup Sugar, plus additional for coating
3/4 cup Butter, softened
1 large Egg
1/4 cup Molasses
2 cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Powdered Ginger
1/2 tsp. Allspice
1 tsp. Ground Black Pepper
1/3 cup Crystallized Ginger, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar together, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and then add molasses. Combine flour and other dry ingredients, then add to the creamed butter and sugar mixture and mix.

Form into 2 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place 2" apart on an un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

61 comments:

Annalisa Crawford said...

Those covers are awesome. And Sky Jumpers is a great title!

Christine Tyler said...

Those covers are AMAZING, but I really can't wait to see YOURS! And he sent you a cookie recipe?! That is so thoughtful! You have a great team working with you. Man, I'm just floored with the awesomeness. It's all just so cool.

Aurora Smith said...

#3 #3!!!!!!!

DRC said...

Judging by the stunning quality of Owen's work, we hold high hopes for your cover :)

Romance Reader said...

This is all great news. Congratulations. Always good to read about author successes. You recipe looks pretty good too!

Maria

Suzie F. said...

I'm usually a lurker, but I had to post to say, "Wow! Those illustrations are extraordinary!" You must be so excited to be working with such a talented illustrator. Congrats on your new series and I look forward to reading your posts on LoEW.

Cortney Pearson said...

That is definitely a GREAT title, and those covers are fantastic! Such great news for you, how exciting! :D

Anne said...

Those covers are fabulous! Congratulations!

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

I think you've struck gold. Congratulations. Can't wait to see the cover.

Mark Means said...

From the looks of those covers, I'd say yours is in good hands...congrats!!

Have a great weekend :)

Emily R. King said...

Love the title, love the new cover artist, love YOU! So happy for you, Peggy!

Becky Mahoney said...

Holy gorgeousness, Batman. I can't wait to see your book cover! Congratulations!

Also, wow, I'm going to make me some of those cookies. *_* Mmmmm!

Chantele Sedgwick said...

Can't wait to see your cover!! :D How exciting!!!

Tracey Joseph said...

Congrats, Peggy! I can't wait to ogle your cover.

Morgan said...

PEGGY!!!!!!!!!!

*has a freak out moment*

This is all so exciting... I hope you're embracing it, and realizing the dream you're living in this moment. It's TOO COOL. And seriously, the artist is amazzzzzing. All of those pieces are gorgeous...

And *love* the title :D

Kristine said...

SO excited for you! And I want to try that recipe!! So sweet of him to send it!

Seriously, so excited for you!

Myrna Foster said...

Is that Artemis Fowl in the center? Those covers are beautiful, and his style will be great with your title. Congrats!

And thanks for the fun recipe!

Rachel said...

These are BEAUTIFUL!!! What an amazing artist.

Kimberly Krey said...

Wow! Those covers are gorgeous! Can't wait to see what he does with yours!

Taffy said...

I'm so happy for you! I LOVE hearing all you good news. Can't wait to see the cover.

Carrie Butler said...

Ah, Pegasus! This cover is going to be epic. I can feel it. Oh my gosh. I can't wait now! :D

Janet Johnson said...

His art IS gorgeous! Congratulations Peggy. I can't wait to see the finished product. :D

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats Peggy! I love the title and can't wait to see your cover!

Kathryn Purdie said...

Your cover is going to be breathtaking, just like all the artwork on display here. And, WOW, those cookies look great. Who'd have thought of adding pepper to cookies?!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Congrats on joining the league! And can't wait to see the cover.

Jenny S. Morris said...

Wiping drool off of chin. Those covers are BEAUTIFUL!! And I love the name. ;)

Rena said...

Congrats on getting named to the league. And Wow, those covers!!! I can't wait to see your cover.

S.P. Bowers said...

Wow this is a post full of celebrations! An original recipe, awesome cover art (even though we have to wait to see your cover), and congrats on joining the league of extraordinary writers! Celebrate good times.

Paige Kellerman said...

Wow, with an artist like that, your cover is going to be amazing!

Diana said...

So awesome, Peggy! And I love the recipe!

Julie Wright said...

Congratulations! He is a great artist and the title is awesome!

Angela Brown said...

So much wonderful news all around. Can't wait to see the final results. It should be wonderful: the title change, the cover change...all of it.

Very happy for you :-)

Tara Tyler said...

fabulous!!!
those pics are so awesome!

ilima said...

Congrats on so many things! I'm so excited to see your cover.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Wow, Peggy, congratulations! Good for you. I can't wait to see the cover of your new book, and those cookies sound yummy.

Kathy M.

Sara B. Larson said...

I love the new title!! And can't wait to see the cover!

Brenda Sills said...

Sky Jumpers?!!! I love it! It makes me instantly crazy to read your book! And the artist doing your cover in fantastic. No wonder you're excited—it would be extraordinary to have something so marvelous on your creation! I'm so happy for you, Peggy! I hope to see you soon and congratulate you in person!

Jenilyn Collings said...

Those pictures are gorgeous! I can't wait to see what he comes up with for your cover. It's going to be amazing!

Golden Eagle said...

Congratulations on all your great news! :)

That artwork is amazing. Can't imagine having a cover done by the same person who did Artemis Fowl!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Ooooo those are some awesome looking covers! Any idea when you'll have your reveal? Can't wait!

Emily said...

I really can't believe I was in your group when you read your first chapter aloud at Storymakers. Now look where you are! But here's a little secret--I knew even then it would be big ;) I'm so happy for you--and can't wait to buy it and read the rest of the book.

Unknown said...

That guy's art is amazing! So I really can't wait to see your cover. Amd the title change is awesome too. Sky Jumpers is very catchy.

Lan said...

Congrats Peggy! All fantastic news. Cannot wait to see your cover. Those other covers are incredible. Your book is going to be so incredible.

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Oh my gosh, Peggy! Fantastic title, amazing cover artist, invitation to fame, AND a new cookie recipe? It's almost too much for one week! Congratulations! So excited for you! :)

Unknown said...

I love your title and from those covers, I know yours will be great as well.

Small Town Shelly Brown said...

I like the single name first book idea. I think it keeps it clean.

Owen has a LOT of energy to his work. Those pictures move and sway and jump at you. This is going to be awesome. Congrats!

TLOEW, huh? Huge congrats! That is really fun and they are a great bunch of authors. You have to tell us when you post there so we can come over and support you on your debut :)

Valerie Hartman said...

Your excitement is infectious. Thanks for the big smiles. Now you are officially a part of a superhero league changing the world with your own superhero talent. Big, big congratulations Peggy!

Tracy Campbell said...

Such fabulous news, Peggy!
Owen's artwork is awesome.
I hope you bake up his wife's recipe and share the photo with us. :-)

CallieCreativeCelt said...

Congrats on getting a great illustrator! Congrats also on the title. Sky Jumpers is a cool title. I can't wait to read your book. I'm happy to see good news in store.

Elana Johnson said...

THIS IS SO AWESOME IT REQUIRES ALL CAPS. Yay!!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS on the book title and the cover illustrator for your book! AWESOME!! : )

Leslie said...

Holy cow! I absolutely love your new title and cannot wait to see your cover! I'm already a huge Peggy fan and am dying to buy your book one day!!!

Coleen Patrick said...

Wow, so awesome! Love that title too. Congrats Peggy.

Nicole said...

Oh my gosh, I'm SO excited to see the cover. The title is fantastic! Congrats to you - this is such an exciting time. Cookies all around!

Jessie Humphries said...

I forgot to post on this. I suck. I know. You already know how I feel about this. Crazy tingly happy!

Rachelle Christensen said...

This is so awesome I feel all smiley-faced about it for you. :) :) :) So excited and love the title!

Celeni said...

WOW!! The art is amazing! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am for you. I can't wait to buy a copy, have you autograph it and be friends with a world-famous author... I'm gushing! In short, I'm SO happy for you!!

Skippy Bo Bippy said...

I read this last week but forgot to post a congrat's till I saw your facebook update.. so incredible that it's all happening for you. I've been a follower for a couple years, and you definitely serve as inspiration. Congrat's!!

Lydia Kang said...

I cannot wait to see your cover! Also, I'm a League Sister with you! *jumps up and down and screams like a girl*

Anonymous said...

Love the name, and I love the artwork... you're book cover is going to rock. Huge congrats.

Jacqui said...

I can't wait to see and read your book!! (How's that for fan girl?) Have candied ginger in my cupboard, so I'm going to have to make those cookies, too! Congrats. So exciting!