Q&A with Steve Morris discussion

This week I have sent a collection of possible new stories to my current publisher for consideration.

:O exciting times! Short stories?

Oh yes. More infatuations, fewer assassinations this time in attempt for them to be warmer. I'll see what the publisher says.

Negotiations now underway, positively.

Oh good. Keep at them and get what you want from them, after all you're the author.

Hello. I think we are about to agree this and I'd like it to be out by Christmas. We've got a snappy title for it but the cover will require a little thought.....I love good book covers.

I think we all do often judge books by their cover and it is very important to get a good one. You'll have to think of something good. If you need any help let me know :)
Plus if it's going to be out just before christmas people are more likely to pick pretty of interesting looking books as gifts.

You're right. I know I've bought books based on their covers alone. I wonder if the Kindle generation will change this.

This needs to be the right cover for the book. Any advice greatly appreciated :)

Well the introduction is now written and we've come up with some corking titles. Still no thoughts on the cover of the book....that is the difficult part!

Here are some covers I love for your inspiration:



(This doesn't necessarily mean I like the book, though in many cases I did)

The titles of all those books are brill too.

That is a great list of covers (and some clever titles we shouldn't forget). Thank you so much. What did you think of How I live now? I plan to see the film.

The thief has a very tactile cover.
The Republic of Trees has effective colour.
The Nightmare of Drury lane has great colour contrasts which make it stand out.
Uglies is nightmarish!

I ran a few cover ideas by a couple of people this time and came up with a list of possible themes. This I have passed on to the publisher. I think we'll agree on something.

Covers are really important. I admit to buying books purely for their covers.

How I live now is one of my favourite books. It is so sad though so I don't think I'll be watching the film (don't like sad films) but it is just heartbreaking especially the end. I like all of Meg Rosoff's books that I've read, she's a really good author. It's the actress from lovely bones in it too, and she's pretty good.

I wish you hadn't told me about he sad ending now. I'll still watch the movie. Darkly , I've been reading some post apocalyptic fiction and non-fiction since I moved to live near a huge Cold War bunker . Fascinating stuff nonetheless. I shall have to read her other works..