Devin Elle Kurtz (illustrator) and Kate Clarke (designer) truly blow my mind every single time. Working with an artist has probably been the most rewarding part of publishing. I think it’s because art is such a vivid and immediate way of showing the effect that writing can have on the imagination. When I see this cover, I think ‘oh – the artist and designer read it. They understood the sparkling, celebratory atmosphere I was trying to convey, the celestial funfair I sought to describe. And most of all, they understand Astrid, with her party dress, and her wings, and her hope.’ I’ve always felt that Devin loves Astrid – there’s such tenderness in her portrayal of my main character. I find that very moving, because I love her too.
Thank you so much to everyone who was involved in creating this magical, light-saturated piece of art that I am privileged to have on the front of my book. And thank you for reading it, entering my suspended city, and reflecting back to me the emotions I felt as I wrote it with consummate skill. I’m proud of this book, now more than ever, and I hope with all my heart that readers will love it. Please do preorder if you’re able (link below) – it makes a real difference to me as a writer early in my career.
Megan Hopkins 