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.
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. :)
ReplyDeleteit looks fantastic -- i cannot wait to read it for real.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
This is so exciting, Rob! Did you feel a little dizzy holding it for the first time? Have you shown Schuyler yet?
ReplyDeleteWell, what is the little sub-title??
ReplyDelete- Pegkitty
"A Father's Journey with his Wordless Daughter"
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteI've been lurking and reading your blog for a while now. Congrats on the book, the cover is perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I can't wait to see it on a bookstore shelf - so I can buy it!
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks amazing. Will it be available in Canada? I'll be the first Torontonian to buy it.
ReplyDeleteWOW. What's so interesting is the juxtaposition of the word monster right above this adorable, beautiful little girl. It's a good introduction.
ReplyDeleteYAY, Rob!
ReplyDeleteLove it. Can't wait to hold a copy in my hands.
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....
ReplyDelete...finally de-lurking...
Wow, Rob. Great cover for YOUR BOOK...I can't wait to go into my own B&N and buy it off the shelf.
ReplyDeleteSo hope that i can get a copy in the uk when it come's out.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!! Man oh man, Rob, that's too cool for words.
ReplyDeleteLong time lurker....congrats! Your girl is such a cutie, her personality really jumps out at you.
ReplyDeleteWill there be autographed copies available? :-)
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!
ReplyDeletebut 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?
ReplyDeleteActually, 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.
Look at you, mister fancy-pants. The pants, they are very fancy, indeed.
ReplyDeleteYou're so awesome — and the cover looks great.
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!
ReplyDeleteOh! 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!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Rob.
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.
ReplyDeleteMy 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!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Congrats on all you've done!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you! The cover is adorable. I can't wait to pick up a copy:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It looks terrific and I can't wait to have a copy of my own.
ReplyDeleteMore goosebumps here! Can't wait to buy my copy! :D
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, those are some fancy pants you have!
Congratulations again! I didn't even think about it yesterday, but what a great belated Father's Day present this was for you!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic cover! I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mr. Fancy Pants, I'm impressed. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Is the book tiny, or are your hands unnaturally large?
ReplyDeleteYou can take that as a compliment if you'd like...
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.
ReplyDeletethanks 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.
Is the book tiny, or are your hands unnaturally large?
ReplyDeleteWell, you know what they say.
AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Rob!
ReplyDeletefabulous!
ReplyDeleteerr 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.
Does Schuyler know you have written a book about her? What does she think about that?
ReplyDeleteDoes Schuyler know you have written a book about her? What does she think about that?
ReplyDeleteOh, she knows. You tell me if she likes the idea.
Oh my gosh, I got goosebumps seeing that! Congrats and hugs from Michigan.
ReplyDeletewow geez! Its finished!
ReplyDeleteAnd 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
Woo hoo!!! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteVery Cool!
ReplyDeleteOMG! 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!
ReplyDeleteWoot! That is so awesome! Congratulations! Let me know when it's available in Canada.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSounds and looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLet us know when we can get our hands on it (I'm speaking for the collective blogosphere today).
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.
ReplyDelete:-)
i'm silly. sorry. proud of you rob. very.
Spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI 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
so. happy. for. you!
ReplyDeleteWoo 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!
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic cover, wonderful photo of Schuyler.
ReplyDeleteBet she is as proud of you as you of her.
Beautiful cover, Rob.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
OHHH...It's real!!! That's just lovely!
ReplyDeleteHappy happy happy happy happy!!!!!!!
congrats on getting closer to the release date...your cover looks great...hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteJoining in with the chorus... so, so lovely. You're almost there!!
ReplyDeleteRob, your daughter has her hand in front of her mouth. the subtitle says "wordless".
ReplyDeleteIn 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.
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??
ReplyDeleteBarbara, Philadelphia
Here's a question, would it be possible for us to mail you our copy with return postage, and will you sign our books??
ReplyDeleteOf 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.