“Beware so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.” ~Jean de La Fontaine
The Hard Way has a new look. Yep, in the ninth hour, we’ve changed the book cover art. Why, you ask? Because the people who want more than anything to make me rich thought it was a good idea. And I don’t bite the hand that distributes my book. No sir, I do not.
So, whether you like it better than the pink Chucks version or not, this is what The Hard Way is wearing to the deb ball. Personally, I like that it’s slightly more gender neutral. Sure, there’s still some pink on the cover. But pink is the new hunter green.
I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from men who’ve read the book and I’d like it if guys could tuck themselves behind my book on the train without seeming too terribly uncool. I mean, just because I’m a woman and so is my protagonist doesn’t mean I can’t write things that appeal to men. I’ve always thought The Hard Way was more like About a Boy (Nick Hornby) than Bridget Jones’s Diary (Helen Fielding) anyway.
So, I feel pretty special that my book was chosen for a makeover. Now I just need new clothes and a fancy haircut, and we’ll both be fit for public. Today I ran outside in a gray fleece ankle-length skirt, gray over-sized sweatshirt, white socks, and black clogs, no bra and severe bed-head to ask my landlord for a favor. If I don’t do something soon, my book cover is going to be embarrassed of me.
Gary said,
March 21, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Are there explosion and car chases? How about a messianic super being that can see the future? Wizards? Oh well…
julieluongo said,
March 21, 2008 at 3:38 pm
There are cars.
messiestobjects said,
March 21, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Are there Asians? Is Luongo an Asian name? Does a lot of tea drinking happen? Do Asians put paper umbrellas in their tea?
Oh wait, I’ve read the book. Nope, none of that happens. Well, I’ll miss the red chucks, but I can get used to your new theme. If the booksellers think this cover will sell more books, well, good on ‘em.
julieluongo said,
March 21, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Luongo is African and Italian. There are lots of Asian Luongs, Luengs, and Leungs. Tran Duc Luong is a former president of Vietnam, but Luong is his given name not his family name.
Sissy said,
March 21, 2008 at 10:46 pm
“Today I ran outside in a gray fleece ankle-length skirt, gray over-sized sweatshirt, white socks, and black clogs, no bra and severe bed-head”
I think I can beat that.
Sandy Luongo said,
March 22, 2008 at 8:00 am
Julie,
I am drawn to the tea bags in the styrofoam cups on your new book cover. What they convey is a working life on the run with no time to slow down–yet.
Sandy
julieluongo said,
March 22, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Good point, Sandy. Thanks for commenting.
julieluongo said,
March 22, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Sissy, you’re the pinnacle of weird dressing. You’ve reach heights even hippie painters can’t hope to achieve. Some of my favorite visual memories are of your ensembles. Backwards shirts, holes in crotch seams, Phyllis Diller hair, mis-matched socks (one with individual toes and rainbow stripes, the other with holes in the heel and big toe). Oh, and the years you were into pottery … with the dried mud everywhere from your hair to your cigarette. If you’d do a blog series on your outfits it would make me so happy.
capricorn1966 said,
March 22, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Well, not that the cover changes the words on the inside but I kinda liked the pink chucks and the wardrobe on the first cover. It was a little more catchy for me. But that’s just me. Can I get a refund? Hahaha just kidding. The new one is nice, too. What ever works, right?
Gary said,
March 22, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I think they should have renamed it to “Broadway The Hard Way” and put a picture of Frank Zappa on there and put a CD in it instead of a book…yeah that would rock.
julieluongo said,
March 22, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I’m down with that. And Frank’s wearing a pink shirt, so it’d be keeping with the gray, splash of pink visual theme.
julieluongo said,
March 22, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Oh, and Cappy…no refund for you! Actually, you won’t pay for it until it releases. So, I suppose you could delete the order. But I don’t recommend it.
capricorn1966 said,
March 22, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I would do no such thing. Looking forward to reading.
julieluongo said,
March 23, 2008 at 9:57 am
You’re going to love it!
Jim said,
March 24, 2008 at 10:15 pm
From the new cover, I deduce that the main character is a cheap date that likes to suck balls and won’t hesitate to make it with the ladies.
julieluongo said,
March 25, 2008 at 11:41 am
PhDs in Feminist Studies say that about everything.
MamaPeg is Watching You said,
March 25, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I like it!
julieluongo said,
March 25, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Thanks, lady.
Dan Flagler said,
March 28, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Damn, now I will have to go on another boat trip with the new cover and take more pictures. Of course I only had the pre release Nicholas version the first time, so I needed to do that anyway. julie send me an email so I can send you the pics…..
Dan Flagler said,
March 28, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Oh man look at the styrofoam cups. Those things last like a million years. It might be Pink, but it sure isn’t green….
julieluongo said,
March 29, 2008 at 11:59 pm
If they’re going to live a million years, why not do it as uber-stylish book cover models? Those cups get great pay and excellent craft services (with recyclable paper cups). They go to all the best parties and they drink whatever beverage, hot or cold, they want. It’s an exciting time to be a styrofoam cup, I tell you.