Thursday, February 4, 2010

A Launch Meeting


The photo is of me with some buddies starting out on a whitewater rafting trip. I'm in front wearing the blue helmet. I firmly believe in wearing a helmet while rafting, skiing, biking, and engaging in any other sport where head injury is a risk. Do I look excited and happy?

Recently Midnight Ink staff had the "launch meeting" for the first book in my new series with the press. A fitting name for a book featuring whitewater river rafting, I must say! Anyway, Terri Bischoff, the acquisition editor, met with other staff, including the art department, and some sales/marketing/publicity folks, I think. They decided that "Wicked Whitewater, the first in the Mandy Tanner whitewater river ranger series, written by Beth Groundwater" had too many "waters" in it. After repeatedly asking Terri if Beth Groundwater was really my name :) , they decided to pick a new book title and series blurb.

I later explained to Terri that Groundwater became my last name when I married my husband, who has a Scottish family history. It is a more common name in northern Scotland than in the USA, and family legend is that it came about because the family made its living farming on the "ground" and fishing from the "water". So, yes, it's my real name!

As a result of the launch meeting, the first book in my series will be titled Deadly Currents and the series blurb is the "Rocky Mountain Adventures mystery series". After discussing the changes with Terri, I realized they made sense. The more general series blurb will allow me to take Mandy into other adventure sports besides whitewater rafting and onto whitewater rivers in the Rocky Mountains outside of Colorado as the series continues.

Another big part of the meeting was discussing the concept for the cover art. Terri wanted a picture of a cataraft to appear on the cover, which is the type of boat the river rangers use to patrol the upper Arkansas River in Colorado. To see a photo of what one looks like, go here. I suggested a picture that represents the opening scene of the book, a whitewater raft spilling over a class 4/5 rapid and dumping its passengers. The art department said both of these concepts may be too difficult to represent. They suggested a scenic landscape shot of a whitewater river, but I've told Terri that it should be of a really hairy rapid and not of placid water. The art department plans to mock up at least two covers, so we'll see what they come up with.

This is just a peek at what goes on behind the scenes in the book publishing business...

8 comments:

Lisa Bork said...

So exciting, Beth! Love the new title and series blurb. Sounds like you have some good communication going on the cover. Can't wait to see it!

Sue Ann Jaffarian said...

I really liked the title "Wicked Whitewater" but love the new overall concept that will allow you to expand the series. MI definitely has a knack for seeing beyond the initial few books. I get so excited waiting for new cover art. When I open the e-mail with the design, it's almost like opening a present. Can't wait to see your cover!

Alan Orloff said...

I like the new verbiage. And don't worry about your cover -- Midnight Ink does terrific cover art. You're in good hands.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

MI does the best covers anywhere! They really do rock.

Deadly Currents is a great name! Love it...

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

G.M. Malliet said...

Love the title.

Didn't know Groundwater was Scottish1

Beth Groundwater said...

Thanks for the comments, folks. Gin, a lot of people assume that the name Groundwater is native American in origin, until they meet my hubby, that is, who is as white-skinned as they get. :) He burns and freckles rather than tans like me (I supposedly do have a few drops of native American blood in my ancestry from an "Indian bride" many generations back.)

Heidiwriter said...

Fascinating! I liked all the "waters" but also like the new title and concept.

Good going, Beth!
Heidi

Sheila Deeth said...

Cool! And neat to learn about your name.