Why two different covers for Dairy Queen?
Way back in 2005 when Houghton Mifflin first asked for my ideas on the cover, I insisted it couldn’t include a photograph of a girl. Every reader, I felt, needed to develop their own D.J.; that, after all, is what makes reading so personal, that you forge your own relationship to these characters. As I recall, all of us separately came up with the idea of a cow in a tiara, which in and of itself was auspicious, and we felt that the image would really jump off the shelf.
Other than several comments that it's “demeaning” (I’m still trying to figure that one out), we received many compliments on the cover, but Houghton Mifflin felt that the paperback needed to jump even MORE off the shelf. It also didn’t seem appropriate to repeat the cow theme on the cover of the sequel, which is a bit weightier, subject-matter-wise, than DQ. Plus by this point I wasn’t as neurotic about protecting D.J.’s image – the girl was clearly strong enough to stand up for herself. And it didn’t hurt that I completely fell in love with this cover – I believe my initial response was “I can’t wait to read this book!”, which is illogical but heartfelt – and I loved the sequel cover as well. (Another auspicious sign: two book designers independently came up with these two covers.) I must say that the D.J. in my mind doesn’t have eyebrows nearly that perfect; no one does, probably, but I do love how the photo reflects D.J. and Brian’s relationship. And Brian looks so much like Brian!
I have just finished Dairy Queen and could not put it down for two days straight! I absolutely loved the story-line, and fell in love with all the characters. Being a younger sister with two older brothers who i have followed every step of the way (including to Princeton), I can totally relate. I can't wait for the sequel!
- Marie
Earlier ideas for covers, including The Off Season with a preliminary title.
home • faq • about the author • appearances • all my favorite... • purchase books • facebook • contact