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Cover Stories: The Aspen Brooks Series by Stephanie Hale
Stephanie Hale's Aspen Brooks series is highly entertaining. I have to admit that I've only read the first one, but I loved it. I also happen to adore the books' covers, so I asked Stephanie if she'd give us some back story. She obliged.
"From the moment I sat down to write the first book of my Aspen Brooks series, Revenge of the Homecoming Queen, I had a very clear picture of who Aspen was in my head. She was smart, beautiful, and loyal. She also thinks she is better than cake and would not hesitate to crush anyone in her path at a Dooney and Bourke purse sale. The actress that kept popping into my head was Hayden Panettiere (this was way before her HEROES fame). If you aren't familiar with this actress, she's a BLONDE. There was no question that my Aspen was a blonde. Keyword: blonde, you will be tested later.
"When I got an email in my inbox saying that it included my first cover I think I had some kind of a spastic fit around the house for a bit before I opened it. This was it. Official validation that I was really going to be an author. The story that I had poured blood, sweat, and tears (not really, okay, maybe the tears part on all my rejection letters) was going to be immortalized. In just a few moments I would know the images that would stare out from book shelves begging someone to read the pages I had written inside. I took a deep breath, double-checked on the attached document, and nearly had a stroke. I didn't see the adorable little frog with the crown on his head or the amazing, curly font (called hair spray, btw. How awesome is that?) that spelled out my name and title. I just saw a beautiful girl looking back at me. A beautiful brunette girl. Pop quiz: What color did I picture Aspen's hair to be? Answer: Not Brunette!
"The girl really resembled Julia Stiles. Except that hair. She was beautiful but also looked like she could hold her own. I knew that my cover girl wouldn't think twice about getting into a cat fight if it meant getting the last Dooney on sale. Then I noticed that adorable little frog and that awesome curlyque font. I loved that the girl looked dressed up for a formal occasion. Then I realized that it didn't really matter what color her hair was because she was perfect. Part of the fun of reading is using your own imagination to create the characters in your mind. I knew that everyone who read my book would have their own mental picture of Aspen. So I kept her hair blonde in my story because that is who she was to me.
"I found out later that the picture of the girl had been taken for an article in a teen magazine showing different ways to wear your hair for homecoming. The girl on my cover didn't even know she was on a cover until someone showed her. She found me on MySpace and I couldn't believe what a sweetheart she was. I was so excited when Berkley decided to use the same girl for my Twisted Sisters and Spring Breakup covers. She has changed since the first cover and so has Aspen. I love all my covers but I think Spring Breakup is my favorite. She looks very mischievous with her sunglasses pulled down. And I love the little high heel and the hot pink spine and back cover.
"My editor never asked me for any input on my covers and I have to admit that I'm very happy. I never would have done them justice. Getting a new cover is still the most exciting/nerve wracking part of this whole process for me. I don't know if the cover gods will always shine on me but they have definitely done a good job so far!"
I totally agree--Stephanie's books always stand out to me, and I have yet to see that hair spray font elsewhere (so cute!). What do you guys think?
PS-If you're in or near New York City, listen to Justine Larbalestier and go to this today!
PPS-Today starts five weeks of big contests at readergirlz. Go, go!
Comments (11)
WHOA! The picture was taken from a magazine? Did they buy it from the magazine? That's kind of different! I've always like these covers, especially the first two, how the backgrounds are almost solid. I love that she told us what the name of that font is, always thought it was cute!
Posted by Alea | March 16, 2009 9:29 AM
Yay, Steph! I so love your covers and how your girl found you on MySpace. Such an awesome story. I adore the hot pink spine (and not just because my spines are hot pink, too). When my copy came in the mail and I saw that I squealed a little. It should definitely stand out on bookstore shelves!
Posted by Tera Lynn Childs | March 16, 2009 11:49 AM
I love all of those covers, especially the last ne.
Posted by H | March 16, 2009 2:10 PM
That's so funny that the girl didn't know that she was going to be on the book cover! Can you imagine a friend showing you a book that your face is on? How funny. It's pretty cool that she found her on myspace. I like it when they use the same models for series. The 3rd cover is my favorite.
Posted by Genevieve | March 16, 2009 2:30 PM
I definitely know what you mean about picturing characters a certain way in your head vs. the book cover. I'm sorry that they didn't give you a blonde for the cover, but I love hearing that the model got in touch with you, and that they rehired the model for the second book. Hurrah for whomever made sure that happened!
Posted by Little Willow | March 16, 2009 2:55 PM
Woot! I really love the covers. and its from a magazine? Double Woot! I love blonder Hayden. She's so pretty. Small and petite. Argh, whats not to like? This series sounds like a keeper. Thanks for the info Melissa!
-goodgirlsreadbooks.blogspot.com
Posted by Tiqa Khairi | March 16, 2009 4:06 PM
I really like the covers. I think the first is my favorite though. The little froggy is so cute!
Posted by Amee | March 16, 2009 4:59 PM
Thanks for the fun interview, Melissa! ;)
Posted by Stephanie Hale | March 16, 2009 6:41 PM
I LOVE the covers, so cute and simple! And the font is awesome! I definitely should check out this series, huh? (:
Posted by Claire | March 16, 2009 10:29 PM
these covers are totally the type of covers i would pick up in the store and buy just because i loved the covers. which now i'm sure i'm going to find myself doing! i LOVE the font, and i have to say, the last cover looks very tv-blair waldorf to me, and since i adore her, that's always a good thing!
note to melissa - reccing a book on "i heart daily" that isn't released yet to us normal folk is SO CRUEL. i have been WAITING for "wintergirls" and then i just went and pre-ordered it from amazon because i was so ticked i didn't have it and the NYPL doesn't have any of the others, either, because they are so new! completely unfair, when i tried to give up book-buying for lent . . .
Posted by furies/stephanie | March 16, 2009 10:56 PM
I love the covers. The last 1 is my fav! (I think it's the shoe!)
Posted by MJ | March 18, 2009 6:13 PM