Today I welcome Mel Sherratt, to the blog to answer some questions about the cover of her latest release, Follow The Leader.
Thanks, Rebecca. I had masses of input into the cover. As my books are very British, and as the first in the series, Taunting the Dead, was predominantly red, I thought a vague theme of red, white and blue covers might be a good way to brand them. I filled in a questionnaire about what I would like and I suggested hopscotch. From there, the team came up with several images of hopscotch on playgrounds, walkways, pavements etc.
Once we had narrowed it down to one image, the tweaking began – lots of different versions of the same cover, zooming the image in, zooming the image out, then we added the hopscotch, colours, fonts, tagline etc. It’s something I really enjoy –it’s very exciting seeing them come to life.
It’s a great strapline on the cover. I’m intrigued. What can you say about the book?
Follow the Leader is about a serial killer who is one step ahead of the police while he seeks payback for his past. From the get-go, you have his point of view. There are a series of flashbacks before every murder that try to help you understand why that particular victim was chosen. But he’s playing a game too, leaving clues in the form of magnetic letters. It’s up to the police to work out either who he is or who the next victim is before it’s too late.
The novel’s underlying theme is bullying and how as impressionable teenagers, we either change or don’t change once we leave the school gates, and peer pressure, behind.
Follow The Leader? Along with that strapline, it makes for a great title that makes your mind go places. At what point did the title come to you?
When I first started the book, I knew it was going to focus very much on bullying and the fact that he was playing a game with the police. So I Googled children’s playground games and Follow the Leader was on a long list. As titles tend to do for me, the more I worked with it, the more the story fitted around it. So the playground scene is quite poignant, I think because, as a person, it can be a happy or a terrible time to look back on.
When is the publication date?
It’s out on 10 February 2015.
And without giving anything away, if you could be one of the characters, who would you be and why?
Without a doubt, it would be my main character DS Allie Shenton – she’s emotional, kick-ass and gutsy. All the things I would love to be! Oh, wait – maybe I am… well maybe not the kick-ass… and maybe not the gutsy…
Thanks for talking to me Mel, it’s been great having you and can I just say, I loved Follow The Leader!
thewhitespike says
Great interview Rebecca, can’t wait to get my copy Mel!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks George. It’s a great read. 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh) says
Name came from a childhood game – that really fits.
Cool you had so much input on the cover, Mel.
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s a great theme in the novel.
Margot Kinberg says
Thanks, Rebecca, for this interview and this feature.
Mel – Thanks for sharing the story of the cover. It’s fabulous! I wish you much success.
Rebecca Bradley says
I love finding out what’s behind the cover 🙂
readingwritingandriesling says
Sounds like a great read.
Rebecca Bradley says
It really was.
Carol Balawyder says
What makes the cover haunting for me are the empty swings. It sounds like a really scary read.
Rebecca Bradley says
There is a haunting effect about empty swings. It could just be the kids have just all gone home to safe homes for their tea, but our minds wander to the bad places.
Jacqui Murray says
That is a wonderful cover. I see how the font is somewhat translucent. I like that. Great job!
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s gorgeous isn’t it? 🙂
acrimereadersblog says
Hi. I’ve just finished this and really enjoyed it so it’s great to read about the author.
Rebecca Bradley says
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
cleopatralovesbooks says
A fantastic interview, I’m looking forward to Follow The Leader!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Cleo. It’s a great read 🙂