search the archives
♥ recent cover stories ♥
rss
contact & author appearances
*APPEARANCES*
For upcoming events, visit BookTour
Cover Stories: Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee
Lisa Yee's latest novel, Absolutely Maybe, came out in February. It's full of friendship and family and pink hair. In short, I loved it. And I asked Lisa to share her Cover Story, so here goes:
"It's weird, but I didn't have anything in mind at all for the cover. I used to be a Creative Director and my job was coming up with concepts and working with the art and copy departments to see them through. I think that once I became an author it was nice to be able to let go of that. Plus, I have total faith in my editors, Arthur Levine and Cheryl Klein, and Elizabeth Parasi, my art director.
"I knew the cover would be a photograph, but beyond that I didn't know what to expect. I was asked about what the main characters looked like:
'Does she look like Kelli Osbourne?'
'Well, the goth-y part of Maybe does, but Maybe's more petite and her hair is pink . . . and blue . . . and green.'
'Does Hollywood [the romantic interest] look like Napoleon Dynamite?'
'He's the same height, but better looking in a geek-chic way.'
That sort of thing.
MW Note: Here are some of the covers they tried out. (Alea, notice that the last one is a Lookalike for Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell!) You can see these, and read more about the book, on Lisa's site!
"Here's the first cover, that was later nixed. The name also changed because of the movie 'Definitely Maybe.' I loved the kids here, and thought it was cool that Ted, Maybe's best friend, is with her. It was adorable, only it looked more like a middle grade book cover. Because I also write MG, it was important that it be clear this book is YA. So it went back to get redesigned. However, the iconic feel of the final cover ultimately trumps this one.
"The Hollywood star in the background was a stock photo. Several models were considered and I saw some of their head shots. The model selected really captured the look I was going for. She was brought into the studio and her hair was dyed pink. For the shoot she was wearing a black Led Zeppelin t-shirt and the logo was photoshopped out. 
Here's the cover in comp phase before the final photoshopping and tweaking.
"Once the final design was approved, the model was brought back in for a second photo shoot. I thought that was so cool. That they really wanted to get it right and went to that much work and expense for the cover.
"In the end, I just love it so much. And if you get a chance to see it in person, it's even better. The lettering is raised and so is the question mark in the middle of the star. Perfection!"
I think it's really eye-catching too, and I thought about the cover while on my trip to LA last week! Maybe deserves a star on the Walk of Fame. What do you guys think of this cover vs. the others? I say they chose the best one (though I like seeing Ted!).
TrackBacks
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.melissacwalker.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/413
Comments (14)
Well look at that Melissa! You know me so well, my eye went straight for the lookalike!
I think the final cover is the best because while I do like the others I do see how they are a little more MG looking. And it's great the see how the t-shirt had a logo that was removed etc. I love all the little details!
Posted by Alea | March 9, 2009 10:55 AM
I think this is a 5 star cover. I love it! I also like the driver's license one, but it ultimely doesn't fit with the story (unless it is meant ironically).
Posted by Lenore | March 9, 2009 10:55 AM
The final cover is so perfect. Brava!
Posted by Lorie Ann Grover | March 9, 2009 12:59 PM
They're all cool, but agree that the final one was the best.
Posted by Sadako | March 9, 2009 7:15 PM
Hi there!
You've won an award! Visit my blog for the details - no idea how to do a link in a comment form! Sorry :)
Posted by Wendy | March 9, 2009 11:19 PM
I prefer the final cover.
I read this recently, the story's so cute!
Posted by Lis | March 9, 2009 11:24 PM
I love all of them! I like the one they picked, but they are all adorable, especially the one with Maybe and Ted under the street sign--that would be so cool if it were the paperback!
Posted by Claire | March 10, 2009 12:25 AM
I nominated your blog for an award! Check out my latest post :-)
Posted by The Book Girl | March 10, 2009 6:21 AM
The final cover is very beautiful. Everytime I see it it reminds me of an MV. I actually like the cut off head cover too.
Posted by Thao | March 10, 2009 11:05 AM
I love this cover. Reminds me of that old Sassy magazine cover with Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love where he had the pink hair. (Yes, I'm dating myself here!)
In any case, it definitely caught my eye at the bookstore and now, after reading this, I definitely want to pick it up!
MARI
Posted by Mari Mancusi | March 10, 2009 1:29 PM
I love this cover. The hair is what hooks me. And the star. And the title. And the author...
And Melissa, I have read every single one of these cover stories and never commented on the amazing awesomeness available on your blog. So here it goes...
These cover stories?
Awesome
~Lindsey
Posted by Lindsey Leavitt | March 10, 2009 6:36 PM
Great cover, cute book, fun author. :)
The first mock cover cracked me up because it lists the incorrect gender.
The model resembles Mae Whitman (a great young actress) in the laughing shots and the picture with Ted. Rock the hat, Ted!
Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell is great. I'm glad y'all didn't have to fight over the cover/stock photo. It really suits EB, and AM got a fantastic and suitable cover as well. :)
Posted by Little Willow | March 11, 2009 10:51 AM
(She also looks a little like Ellen Page.)
Posted by Little Willow | March 11, 2009 10:56 AM
I think the ones with Maybe and Ted look like Tibby and Brian McBrian in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie!
Posted by Lena | March 11, 2009 2:16 PM