Unless you’ve read the book (and I can count those people on one hand), you may not know how spot-on perfect this is—but it is. Thank you to Seventh Street Books for giving me a cover I will hold up proudly!
I LOVE IT. And not just because my name is on it. Although that is a nice perk.
To celebrate my new cover, I’m giving away Amazon e-giftcards. Leave a comment here with your email address, and you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon card. Legitimate comments only (sorry Russian spammers and Harry Potter fan fic writers!), one comment per email address, please.
The drawing for the prize will be Tuesday, September 3, so check back to see if you won!
I swear I am not doing this to win a card (but I’ll take one if you insist) – I like the cover, but I LOVE your author picture! Gorgeous! I like the hyphen too. Congratulations
Thanks, Jane! Thank you for making an early comment, because people are being shy!
So cool! Congrats on this major accomplishment!!
Thanks, Angie!
Hey Lori! Send me a copy will you! Or will you go international straightaway?
That’s a great question. It will only be in English, as far as I know right now. Is it easy to find English books over there? You can always order it from Amazon US and have it shipped… 🙂
I teared up when i saw your name on this cover. Its a real testament to hard work and focus. Congrats to you girlfriend! your sucess sends a positive message to the community of writers. It can be done!!!! Hugs, Beth
Thanks, Beth. You’ve always been so supportive, long before I knew I could do this!
I LOVE the cover!!! I especially love that you have a book that is being published. So proud of you, Lori Rader-Day!
I really like the bright burst under the “O” in hour.
Thanks, Simone! That little burst on the O is my FAVORITE THING EVER.
I love the cover and can’t wait to purchase my copy of the book! Can we pre-order yet?
Not yet, but I’ll let you know when it is. Probably late fall/early winter. So glad you like the cover. You hear stories of authors hating their covers or titles, but I love both of mine!
Lori! This is a gorgeous cover! I’m so impressed. Can’t wait to oooh and aaah over it IRL. 🙂
!!! I’m impressed, too! I might pass out when I see it IRL 🙂
Lovely cover! That streetlight glint is awesome, I agree. I bet the contents are even better. Congrats!
Thanks, Julia!
Great cover. Looking forward to buying this one and getting my copy signed. You rock. Very proud of you, Lori.
Thanks, Matt. You’ve been so supportive. I’m so happy as a gravedigger.
Wow, I LOVE it! It’s so intriguing and sets such a dark, but beautiful mood. SO excited for you, Lori! I’m so happy to be sharing this journey with you, and can’t wait to see what’s next for all the Debs!
Thanks, Natalia! I think our Deb group is amazing. I’m so excited to have some other newbies to talk to through this.
Sometimes covers look cheesy. Not the case here at all. Congratulations, “active” person!
Thanks, Heather! I’m so active, I’m…well, I’m on the couch truthfully. 🙂
This book better be good or I’m going to be so mad at you! Seriously, congrats and I can’t wait to have a hard-copy in my grubby paws and your words blasting through my mind.
Ha! Threats I get. Thanks, Mark!
Lori,
Just WOW! I am so excited to read this. I have to admit to a little bit of bragging around the office of “I knew you when…” type of thing. To think that you were on the one who gave my research significance so I could prove my thesis and here you are with your debut novel. Life is a wonderful, lovely, incredible thing and I am just thrilled to bits for you. And congratulations on being able to win the battle to keep your hyphen!
Fondly,
Doreen Lynn Aarhaus O’Skea (since we are using our proper names).
Ha! Not sure whether I won or lost on the hyphen, but I don’t mind it. If it makes it easier for you to show all your friends where my books are, well, then it will have been all worth it! Thanks for commenting!
First, gorgeous headshot! You look so glamorous. As for the cover, I love it! It’s beautiful with a hint of mystery. I cannot wait to read the book. Congratulations, Lori! You worked so hard for this and now it’s really here.
Thanks, Meghan! Glamorous, you know that’s me. 🙂
Gorgeous! I absolutely love the font.
I like people who notice fonts. Thanks, Susan!
Congratulations! How exciting. I can’t wait to read your book!!
Thanks, Marilyn! Beth is going to send me your email address so we can be in touch again!
Congratulations Lori! So excited to get my hands on a copy – I can’t imagine how amazing this must feel for you!
Thanks, Amanda! I think I might fall over when I finally have a copy in my hands!
Lori, this is an awesome cover and I can’t wait to read it and have you autograph my copy! Waves and waves of congratulations!
Thanks, Jama! Couldn’t have done this without MWW!
Wonderful cover! Very moody!
Thanks, Barbara. I think it does a lot for my book. Hoping my text can live up to this!
Yep, I’ll buy it. The cover is beast as the kids say these days. But I am even more excited to READ the BOOK!
BEAST. Oh, no. I’m so far behind. Someone else said it was SICK and I congratulated myself on knowing that was a good thing. I can’t wait for you to read it!
Beast? Is that a thing? It’s so fetch!
You could be ahead of your teen on this one.
Congratulations my friend!!! I love the cover!! I can’t wait to read it. Will it be available for the Nook?
I will definitely be available for Nook. I’m assuming Kindle, too. I’ll let you know when you can order it, and you might be one of the first with it in your hands!
I love a good mystery. Look forward to reading your book.
Thanks, Gina! Thanks for commenting!
Great cover. I like how the sky in the background makes the tree appear as though it is on fire. It’s an every day image all spookified. The light flare under the O brings the eye right to the center of the page, which prominently features the title. Clever trick there. The best part though is that your name is on it. I’m so excited for you.
Hey, you should have studied to be a graphic designer, my friend. I love that light flare, but yes, my name is the best part. You’re going to push it on all the LPL readers, right?
I can’t even.
Love,
Your #2 Fan
aka
Chairperson of SQUEEE
I know, me either. Thanks, Yv!
I want the Amazon gift card and I also want to support a co-worker, but truly, that’s not the reason for what I’m about to say … I FRICKIN’ LOVE IT!!! Love the richness and depth of it, love the way it feels luxurious and mysterious, with a little bit of edge, all at the same time. There’s no way this ever sounds anything other than condescending, but I still want to say it — I am so proud of you and so very, very proud to know you!
Thanks, Koko! You’ll have to come back to the area for my partay in July! Going to do something in E-town, too, probably. Before they realize I lifted their lake for my book…
I love your cover! It’s intriguing and eye-catching. I love the play of light. Yay!
Thanks, Lisa! With all the stories I’ve heard about authors hating their book covers, I was nervous. So happy with this.
That would certainly inspire me to pick up the book while browsing the store. I just love when the get the cover “right.” Can’t wait to see how it ties in with the book.
Congrats! See you in Albany!
Thanks, Kristopher! I can’t make it to Bcon this year, sadly. But watch out, Long Beach.
Gorgeous!
Thanks, Lauren!
The cover and author photo are both fabulous – can’t wait to read what’s behind the cover. Let me know when pre-orders begin!
Thanks, Joann. I will!
Love it!!! Beautiful cover and your pic is great!
Thanks, Danielle! I had the photo taken for my Good Housekeeping story.
Lori – I love it – but not as much as the fact that it is super cool that you will publish your first book. Only problem is I have not read the book yet!!! Why is that
It’s not for sale yet, hon. July 8, 2014, will be available for order in the US. I imagine someone will sell and ship you a copy. It’s COMMERCE! Thanks!
Congrats! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Susanna!
Looks great, Lori. Especially like the lights in the background behind the tree, and I’m already looking for a body by the house!
Are we getting close to the time when I can start saying, “I knew her when?”
You can say it now, Sam, but no one will know what the hell you’re talking about! No bodies on the cover…that I know of. Maybe my designer got sneaky!
I will have to check this out. I love a good mystery! Will it be on Kindle anytime soon?
Hi, Vicki. Thanks for commenting! It will be available for Kindle July 8. It’s far too far away for me, too. Hope you’ll check it out when it’s available.
So many exciting things happening, Lori. The cover and the hyphen look great!
Thanks, Kim! I guess I’ve been married long enough that the hyphen no longer bothers me. Glad to embrace it and make things simple.
Wow, Lori–this is incredible! The cover fairies certainly blessed your book!
Thanks, Janet! I think so, too!
Fantastic cover, Lori. Congrats!
Thanks, Keir! A long way from the crime story contest in Time Out Chicago, isn’t it? That was my first crime writing, by the way!
Wow that cover is breathtaking! I love it!
Thanks, Becky, and thanks for commenting!
If that cover doesn’t make a few sales, I don’t know what will. Spot on to the book, eh? You’d think they had a designer or something involved. Mega-congratulations and kudos! (And, my mailbox says you flirted with the hyphen back in the days of the Yahoo address…public identity is hard when you need to “brand” yourself!)
The hyphen is actually part of my legal name, and has been since 2003. I’m just stubborn. SURPRISES. Glad you like the design. I know a lot of designery people and I wouldn’t want to displease them.
You have the perfect surname for an author: Reader-Day. Sounds like your last name says, “It’s time to read!”
It’s close. I’d rather be REader-Day than RadAr-Day, which is something my family gets a lot. Thanks for commenting!
Is something hiding in those tree limbs? Because I feel creeped out. The perfect feeling for a mystery novel. Nice design and congrats! I self published my first book and can’t imagine working with a “real” publishing company. Amazing.
Hi, Pam! So far my publishing experience has been great. They loved my title, so let me keep it. They did this great design. They answer all my dumb newbie questions with patience… Nothing in the tree limbs, but maybe something going on around that corner. Thanks for commenting! WEBO AUTHORS FTW.
I like the fact that despite the title and the nighttime image (which I both love), there is actually very little black on the cover. Congratulations. And I think you should pick one person for a second prize, a can of Russian spam.
You are awarded the Russian spam, Jim. Very little black, but *darkness.*
Congratulations on a great book cover, it looks fantastic!!
Thanks, Paula, and thanks for commenting!
Lori! I love, love, love it! It sets just the right amount of dark moodiness and curiosity. If I saw it (and didn’t know you), I would absolutely pick it up to learn more. All that to say, I am so very happy for you. Ever since I met you, I’ve counted you among the most creative people I knew. From our first intro graphic design class (rails to trails, people!), to the early short stories you would send me. I was actually thinking about your factory boy one the other day (with the counting), and the exchange student one. Your storytelling is the kind that stays with you. And now the whole USA (and hopefully the world!) gets to have access to your first published NOVEL! Woot! Woot! You’re gonna be a star. Just like that little burst in the “O” that you like so much (which I do, too). You deserve this amazing moment, and I’m so glad you never gave up on making it happen. Hope you and Greg are celebrating tonight! Mike and I will toast you from DC!
Melissa! You have a much better memory than I do because I can’t remember my foreign exchange student story! Love you!
The school shooting one! Although it was the son that did the shooting, not the exchange student. I think. Or am I officially old and mixing up memories? 😉
Interesting. That was a story I wrote for a grad school class that never sold. Maybe I should get it out and try to place it.
Holy Elvis, that is one sweet looking book! That sucker will be a hardcover purchase for me (a rarity) and will proudly be displayed as bragging rights for knowing a famous person. Oh, I’ll read it too, don’t get me wrong.
Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS on all of your years of hard work panning out. Really proud of you.
Sincerely,
Other Greg
Wondered where you were! You’re a Top Commenter. THANK YOU. Good news for your wallet, though: it’s a paperback original. So…$15 instead of $25. The good news from the author side is I’ll have an easier time talking people into buying them. I hope.
Glad we had a chance to meet at MWW and I cannot wait for your book…so I can read it and recommend it :o) Paperback originals are indeed easier to sell. Smart choice.
Maryann
Thanks, Maryann! Good to hear from you!
I don’t know if I can wait until NEXT July. This cover has got me all excited. I can’t wait to get my my signed copy. 😉
Also, please don’t make me do math to leave a comment. That is just cruel.
I have to do math to sign in. Sometimes I’m not paying enough attention to what is says…
The cover is cool! I like how it looks like a safe enough place to be but…. could there be something sinister or do I just have an overactive imagination….. Guess I need to read it to find out! 🙂
It’s a mystery, so you know you need to be prepared for sinister, right? Thanks for commenting!
Congratulations!
Thanks, Lisa!
When Jill Byrd says check something out, I listen. She has great taste in books! Congrats!
Well, now that I know Jill Byrd is an influencer, I’ll need to give her more to do. 🙂 Thanks for commenting, Kristen!
A beautiful cover, and Futura definitely is one great typeface. I especially like how that sparkle of light on the O (I see it as a jewel on a ring) makes you realize that there is no white at all in the cover, except perhaps at the center of that sparkle. Kudos to the photographer and designer. . . . With that early July publication date, will you be at MWW next year signing books?
Also wondering, are you any relation to Doug Rader, who teaches at the University of Chicago’s Writers Studio program?
Not that I know of, but probably somewhere deep, deep down the family line. I hope to be at MWW–I love that conference! Thanks for commenting, Matthew!
I love the cover! Can’t wait to read the book!!
Thanks, Elizabeth, and thanks for commenting!
This is so obviously going to be an international hit that I had better start getting the spare room ready! So excited for you (and I don’t even want the voucher).
I thought your spare room was ALWAYS open? Thanks, my little English friend. I hope I DO get to come over to see you, book tour or not.
Very nice! I love how the building is only partially visible on the right, and bare trees always add an air of creepiness if you ask me. Congratulations, L R-D! So happy for you!
Thanks, Taunya!
[…] Incoming Deb Lori Rader Day has revealed the awesome cover for her debut mystery, THE DARK HOUR. Details – and a contest – at Lori’s website. […]
Congratulations Lori. The book sounds compelling and unique. The cover is dramatic and perfect. Wishing you much success and happiness.
Thanks, Anne, and thanks for commenting!
Great cover, and how exciting for you — a book!
Thanks, Lori! I can’t wait to hold it in my hands—like a REAL BOOK! Or see it in stores!
Lori, this couldn’t be happening to a more deserving person. You make me proud to be a Hoosier. There is more than corn (and basketball) in Indiana. Congrats!
And horses! Thanks, Jenny! There will be an event or two in Indiana—you guys have to come!
I love the cover. I am so happy for you. Can’t wait to read the book. I have never know a real author before.
Thanks, Angela! It was so great to see you the other night. Let’s not make it four years before the next time!
WONDERFUL!!!!!!! I am so proud of you! My heart skipped a beat when I saw this. The cover of the book is great and I loved the author’s picture. You are beautiful, of course I didn’t need this picture to know that.
Congratulations!!
Thanks, Mom!
Honestly, a gorgeous cover. I’m infinitely jealous.
On a unrelated note, any plans for An Elegant Hand? I loved the draft I started reading (and never finished because I’m a terrible person and literally forgot to).
Thanks! That one is in the drawer, but I wouldn’t mind getting it out and rewriting it—you know, so that no one ever puts it down halfway through? 🙂
Oh please. You know that isn’t what happened.
🙂 I do need to fix the first half, though. It’s overwrought. The last half works pretty well.
I love it! Congratulations! I can’t wait to read it. BTW, your photo looks amazing!
Thanks, Staci!
Check+ in the WIN category! Looks fantastic! Keep us posted on hard copy arrivals. Tommi
Thanks, Tommi!
Dying to know what the black hour refers to and does the shine in the O in hour on the cover having something to do with a hidden wedding ring? Look forward to reading the book to find out. Congrats on realizing this project!
I can guarantee that you’ll learn what the black hour is in the book. Now a hidden wedding ring…might have to wait for a different book!
I really do like the cover..It’s one that I would be drawn towards it!
Thanks, Jeanna! I hope many many people feel the same way as you.
I really like the placement of the text over the image; my eye is immediately caught by title. The O in hour is really spooky to look at and it’s already got me interested to read it!
Thanks, Danny! Where will you be in July?!
Lori, this is so exciting! This looks amazing and so…real. Congratulations on all of your hard work.
I know, right? Like a real book and everything. Thanks, Jill!
i’m trying to make out what the plaque says but all i can see is “HALL.” it’s about zombies, ain’t it?
Sorry, no zombies…but INTRIGUE. You like that, right? Thanks, Aaron!
I can’t wait to read your book (or have Lauren read it to me)! Congrats!
Yes, I heard that’s how you’re getting your reading in these days! Thanks for commenting, Tommy!
Hello :)! I only knew about this very late indeed :p, but it looks like a book I will put into my wish list :)! Sounds interesting, a friend of mine recommended it to me. Keep up that great work ! Can’t wait to read it :)!
Thanks, Luis, and thanks for commenting!