Only a bit over two months now until the release (see announcement here if you missed it) of the next batch of Furrowed Middlebrow books published by Dean Street Press! These include 11 titles in all from two of my favorite authors, Margery Sharp and Stella Gibbons, and I can't wait any longer to reveal our covers to you, which are rather wonderful if I do say so myself.
One reason these covers are standouts is because eight of the eleven cover images are by prominent illustrator Leslie Wood, whose enticing images graced the covers and pages of numerous books for both adults and children. In particular, fans of the Little Red Engine books by Diana Ross will notice that three of the Gibbons covers look familiar. Wood was the artist behind two of the original covers of these books, Gibbons' The Swiss Summer and Sharp's The Foolish Gentlewoman, which we have of course re-used here, so it's lovely to be able to use his beautiful images for other of our titles as well.
Of the other three covers, we've been waiting for years to find the right book on which to use Eric Ravilious' gorgeous boarding house image, so I jumped at the chance to use it for Sharp's Harlequin House. For The Stone of Chastity, we adapted a delightful early cover image, and for Gibbons' A Pink Front Door, Rupert at Dean Street came across a rather breathtaking Hampstead poster.
Before leaving you to peruse at leisure, I must also mention that the brilliant Elizabeth Crawford has provided intros for all eleven titles, with background information and tidbits that will prove fascinating even for long-time Sharp or Gibbons fans. I don't know how she does it, but I'm very glad she does!
And now, the covers. You'll have some extra time to enjoy them on the main blog page, as I'm planning to take a short blog break between now and the books' release in order to work on other projects...
I hope you love these as much as I do!
What delightful cover art! Plenty of scope to spend Christmas gift cards on buying some of these!
ReplyDeleteWe will miss your blog, but understand the need to take breaks. Hopefully you will at least manage your annual "best of the year" post?
Jerri
I love these! The Rhododendron Pie one is especially gorgeous. As a big Margery Sharp fan, I'm so excited for these to be released.
ReplyDeleteSome real beauties here! It must be such fun finding the ideal artwork for the books. My dream job!!! Enjoy your well deserved break Scott. See you in 2021.
ReplyDeleteWell, the Dodgers do win, but now you take off. Rats! Enjoy, enjoy, but please do come back to us, Scott! Your work here is SO VERY MUCH appreciated!
ReplyDeleteTom
Oh goodness! The covers are all wonderful. But I especially like the concept of having a chosen artwork just waiting for the right book. :^)
ReplyDeleteSo exciting and I was massively thrilled to receive two review copies - and most of these have gone on my Christmas/birthday list, too!
ReplyDeleteYesterday I finally found these available for pre-order on Amazon. I have my first pre-order entered for Four Gardens, possibly the cover art I find least appealing, but the subject matter calls out to me the most, except for The Foolish Gentlewoman which I have already read and own a hard copy.
ReplyDeleteJerri
Ooh Stella Gibbons! Look forward to these!
ReplyDeleteThese covers are brilliant. I read two Furrowed Middlebrow books this month and see I want to buy a couple of these new ones.
ReplyDelete