June 20, 2007

How do you like me now? Yeah, that's what I thought.


I talk about it more over at the book site, but briefly, I received a preliminary version of the cover for Schuyler's Monster today. I think it's awesome, neither cutesy sweet nor Grim, Serious Tragedy Dad. And it has an actual visual effect on the cover, a subtle one that I think will give it just the sort of spark and pizzazz that you've probably come to expect from a parenting memoir.

In the book, I describe the impending birth of Schuyler as a mix of joy and "pure, unblinking, soul-freezing, 'boy-I-sure-am-glad-I-wore-my-brown-pants' terror". That's not a bad description of how I'm beginning to feel about this book being published, either.

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks great. I love that picture of Schuyler. So adorable. How exciting is it to actually see it in front of you...for real? I'm excited for you. :)

Christine G. said...

it looks fantastic -- i cannot wait to read it for real.

I like the letters in "spot gloss" as you mentioned over in flickr on the cover. just pondering the treatment here and forgive me for pondering... but would i think it is more effective if they are words done in different fonts. just letters doesn't communicate wordlessness to me. just letterlessness. what do you think?

still, it will look truly wonderful when done, words, letters -- whatever. The spot gloss treatment when it catches the light is beyond cool. for real. your pants may be brown, but they are fancy.

congratulations.

ysabelkid said...

This is so exciting, Rob! Did you feel a little dizzy holding it for the first time? Have you shown Schuyler yet?

Anonymous said...

Well, what is the little sub-title??
- Pegkitty

Robert Hudson said...

"A Father's Journey with his Wordless Daughter"

Jenbuster said...

The cover is awesome! It is absolutely fantastic! I'm so happy for you that you didn't get the crazy cover that you had to redraw!

LORI said...

I've been lurking and reading your blog for a while now. Congrats on the book, the cover is perfect. :)

Debbie said...

It looks great! I can't wait to see it on a bookstore shelf - so I can buy it!

Anonymous said...

The cover looks amazing. Will it be available in Canada? I'll be the first Torontonian to buy it.

Amy Lynn said...

WOW. What's so interesting is the juxtaposition of the word monster right above this adorable, beautiful little girl. It's a good introduction.

Anonymous said...

YAY, Rob!

Love it. Can't wait to hold a copy in my hands.

Cynthia said...

Congrats, Rob! That is totally cool and a great picture of Schulyer. And when it's out and you're doing fancy-pants book signings please let us know - I live in the area and will definitely be looking for an autographed copy....

...finally de-lurking...

Kelli said...

Wow, Rob. Great cover for YOUR BOOK...I can't wait to go into my own B&N and buy it off the shelf.

britmummybites said...

So hope that i can get a copy in the uk when it come's out.

kris said...

AWESOME!! Man oh man, Rob, that's too cool for words.

Anonymous said...

Long time lurker....congrats! Your girl is such a cutie, her personality really jumps out at you.
Will there be autographed copies available? :-)

Bri Bri Ph.D. said...

I have been reading for a really long time, and I wanted to tell you how excited I am for you!!! The cover looks amazing, and I would pick it up even if I didn't read your blog, cause Schuyler is so darn CUTE!

Robert Hudson said...

but would i think it is more effective if they are words done in different fonts. just letters doesn't communicate wordlessness to me. just letterlessness. what do you think?

Actually, technically the use of individual letters instead of words is more appropriate, since it is her inability to speak those letters, particularly consonants, that leaves her without words.

People who know her can hear that she's trying to speak, and some of us can actually understand a lot of what she says. It's just that without consonants, it comes out in Martian.

Anonymous said...

Look at you, mister fancy-pants. The pants, they are very fancy, indeed.

You're so awesome — and the cover looks great.

l said...

That's so great- I love the cover too, and that they used a photo of your daughter taken by you- now you can say you're a published photographer too!

Anonymous said...

Oh! I got goosebumps as the picture loaded! Your book -- she is REAL, and tangible. I'm so very happy for you. And it's lovely, just lovely. I cannot wait to pick one up myself. Goosebumps!

Congratulations, Rob.

Windlost said...

You must be very proud. What an accomplishment and what an amazing direction your life has taken. When i see something like this, it makes me realize that the universe has things all lined up for us, and it is what we do with these things that makes all the difference. I am proud of you and I don't even know you. Also the photo of lovely Schuyler is so serendipitously perfect. Congrats, and I will look for it in Canada.

Anonymous said...

My first reaction upon seeing the picture, before I even really read the words, was as follows: WOOHOOOO! You book looks like a "real" book with a hard cover and everything- how thrilling it must be to finally hold it in your hands in that sturdy, solid form instead of stacks of paper! AND the cover is FABULOUS. PERFECT. LOVE it. :) In sum, congrats!!!

How do you know I'm not Liddy Wales? said...

Love it! Congrats on all you've done!

Mel said...

I'm so excited for you! The cover is adorable. I can't wait to pick up a copy:)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! It looks terrific and I can't wait to have a copy of my own.

Aja B said...

More goosebumps here! Can't wait to buy my copy! :D

Erin said...

I love it, I think it looks wonderful. Whoever designed it did a great job, its clean and sharp and the "spot glass" idea is very smart.

Indeed, those are some fancy pants you have!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations again! I didn't even think about it yesterday, but what a great belated Father's Day present this was for you!

Major Bedhead said...

That's a fantastic cover! I'm looking forward to reading it.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Mr. Fancy Pants, I'm impressed. I can't wait to read it.
I showed my 15 yr old dd the blog post today (I frequently read bits aloud to the older kids) and she saw your picture and said, "Hey, he looks a lot like..."
I responded, "Elton John?"
She said, "No, that guy from the Island...Ewan McGregor."
So there you have it! Dynamic knighted vocalist or sexy leading-man stuff - Take your pick.

Anonymous said...

Is the book tiny, or are your hands unnaturally large?

You can take that as a compliment if you'd like...

Christine G. said...

Actually, technically the use of individual letters instead of words is more appropriate, since it is her inability to speak those letters, particularly consonants, that leaves her without words.

thanks for that summation rob and for replying to my question. i see the importance then. Perhaps just consonants and no vowels then, would make it a secret for those who "know" what you've just shared here....

either way honey -- wow. It is a beautiful treatment and i love the picture of her holding the book. that must just blow your mind.

again -- congrats.

Robert Hudson said...

Is the book tiny, or are your hands unnaturally large?

Well, you know what they say.

Anonymous said...

AWESOME!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Rob!

misdee said...

fabulous!

err this will be available in the UK wont it, or will i have to call upon some friends across the water to send me it.

Anonymous said...

Does Schuyler know you have written a book about her? What does she think about that?

Robert Hudson said...

Does Schuyler know you have written a book about her? What does she think about that?

Oh, she knows. You tell me if she likes the idea.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I got goosebumps seeing that! Congrats and hugs from Michigan.

Unknown said...

wow geez! Its finished!

And didn't you tell me once that you were going to get a new tattoo once it was done?

I still vote for

F-A-N-C-Y P-A-N-T-S across your knuckles

zorra said...

Woo hoo!!! Congratulations!

Ann said...

I got all teary! I don't even know you and I'm so proud I could burst. I know you'll be hitting Chicago on your book tour--but I don't know if I'll be able to wait that long to buy it. Great cover. Great dad. Great kid.

Billie said...

Very Cool!

Amy Linder said...

OMG! That is so awesome! I cannot wait until it comes out! When is that again - I am so going to B&N at midnight that night to get my copy!

Shawna said...

Woot! That is so awesome! Congratulations! Let me know when it's available in Canada.

jennifergg said...

It's beautiful! Congratulations!

Bernard said...

Sounds and looks wonderful.

Let us know when we can get our hands on it (I'm speaking for the collective blogosphere today).

Christine G. said...

I think the tattoo "fancy pants" across your fist (you'll have to use your thumbs) would be so hardcore gangsta that it would ROCK.

:-)

i'm silly. sorry. proud of you rob. very.

Anonymous said...

Spectacular!
I have read this blog since before Schuyler was a grub. I have waited for this day right along with you.

If you book tour to Kansas City, let me know.

All the very best.

Jill

Anonymous said...

so. happy. for. you!

:) said...

Woo hoo!!! It looks GREAT and I can't wait to read it!! And for what its worth, I totally would have put it on the shelf and looke at it too!!! Rock on, Rob!

Michael said...

That is a fantastic cover, wonderful photo of Schuyler.

Bet she is as proud of you as you of her.

anne said...

Beautiful cover, Rob.

I can't say enough how pleased I am for you and your family. You are a wonderful, engaging, honest writer - I'm so glad you are being recognized for it with this book (and all the ones that come after it!). Cannot wait to read it.

Best to you!

Anonymous said...

OHHH...It's real!!! That's just lovely!

Happy happy happy happy happy!!!!!!!

Jen B said...

congrats on getting closer to the release date...your cover looks great...hope you are doing well.

Anonymous said...

Joining in with the chorus... so, so lovely. You're almost there!!

Anonymous said...

Rob, your daughter has her hand in front of her mouth. the subtitle says "wordless".

In my opinion the floating letters are not needed.

If you had a Porsche... or when you get a Porsche you are not going to attach curb-feelers to it are you?

There is beauty and elegance in simplicity.

Anonymous said...

Rob, I've been reading since August 2001, before you 'knew'. Back when you just started to wonder if just maybe something was up, through that awful time when it was confirmed, followed by, well, everything else. And now your book. Like everyone else, I can't wait to read your book. Here's a question, would it be possible for us to mail you our copy with return postage, and will you sign our books??
Barbara, Philadelphia

Robert Hudson said...

Here's a question, would it be possible for us to mail you our copy with return postage, and will you sign our books??

Of course! What a lot of authors also do upon request is send book plates, fancy little stickers that can be put inside the cover of a book.