Jeri Smith-Ready

Ooo! That's fantastic!

I haven't read Harris. >.>

I have WG on my desk next to me and I've been pondering something banal for a while now about the cover. Ciara's tats. I don't remember a mention of them in the book. Does she really have them, or did the cover artist decide to give her them because it easily conveys "tough UF heroine chick"? And what IS that one on her stomach?

I ask because I just got my first tattoo last week and so I'm curious - ESP because any ink artist will tell you that stars are the most common design, esp among people who just up and decide they want a tat but don't put thought into what they want a tattoo of, but the one on her stomach looks like it might be cool enough to mean something, if it exists.

Probably WAY too much dawdling on my part to come up with this sort of analysis. I'm gonna go do my own writing now. :D

Posted by:  Anonymous at 6/03/2008 5:26 PM

Oh, you should definitely check out the Sookie Stackhouse series. Great characters, wonderful setting, and a lot of humor. Tons of fun, especially if you like mysteries.

Ciara's tattoos: Girl has a low pain threshold and a fear of commitment! Never in a million years would she have a tattoo. ;-)

The artist just put them there as visual shorthand to say "Hey! This is urban fantasy!" Because other than the tats, the cover doesn't scream urban fantasy--no weapons (because she doesn't carry any except her own brain), no lurking demons or vampires (because that would be the height of cheese). Other than the tats, it could be a mystery novel.

My editor told me that star tattoos are all the rage with celebrities. *shrug* I have no clue.

We authors learn very quickly that covers are not about accurately depicting the novel's contents--they're about helping the book find its readers. I think this one does a great job of that!

Posted by:  Jeri at 6/03/2008 5:53 PM

Hi Jeri~

What an amazing quote from Charlaine Harris! I am thrilled for you.

I have four tattoos and the one my chest is a nautical star surrounded by five smaller stars which reprsent my kids. I got it at the same time both my older daughters got their tattoos. My oldest daughters has a large design with a large nautical star at the focust...she has always loved them and my next oldest daughter got checkerboard stars on her hips as she is very into stars and checkerboards.

Again, Wicked Game is absolutely amazing and definitely worth moving to the very top of your tbb pile if you haven't already read it.

Posted by:  Lori T at 6/03/2008 8:56 PM

Thanks, Lori!

Wow, your tattoos sound really cool--I especially like the one representing your kids. What a great idea!

I've thought of getting a crow feather tattoo, but I'm not sure how a solid black one would look.

Posted by:  Jeri at 6/03/2008 9:05 PM

Your tattoos sound really cool, Lori.

Mine is a "tribal" rendering of a phoenix across my lower back, but it's done all in black, and the middle tail feather and bottom wings are swirled in a way that forms the trinity symbol which as a Christian is huge for me.

I dunno, Jeri, with the lighning and the spooky building in the background, and the trendy half-headless girl on the cover, I'd say UF, w/ or w/o tattoos! hehe

Posted by:  Anonymous at 6/04/2008 6:55 AM

Very, very, VERY cool.

Posted by:  Rob S. at 6/04/2008 11:12 AM

Hey Jeri...what wonderful comments to have posted about your book...THAT'S AWESOME! :) Finished up WG Sunday night...really enjoyed it...and I REALLY liked the ending. Can't wait for more!!! :)

Hey Tattoo girls...Jess your tattoo sounds so cool, and Lori...do I recognize you from Club Hell?!? :)
Jeri...a crow feather tattoo for you would be great...a really good artist can do so much with shading, maybe using some grey, etc. and can give you much more than a one dimensional look! :) I've got 5 tats(no stars-all pretty colorful flowers, butterfly and heart)and I love 'em!

Kristin :)

Posted by:  Kristin at 6/04/2008 11:37 AM

Thanks, Rob and Kristin!

Hey, maybe we should all get Club Hell tattoos and freak Adrian out at RT next year (I've talked her into going and am so psyched to finally meet her in person!). ;-)

Posted by:  Jeri at 6/04/2008 11:59 AM

That is wonderful you get to meet up with Adrian at RT next year...how exciting!!! Huh, a tattoo with some "flamage" in it...doesn't quite go with my theme, but I might consider it if Adrian would get one too(I bet she would)! Or, we can see if she can have some temporary tat's made that she can sell with the other Club Hell merchandise...what do you think?!?

Kristin :)

Posted by:  Kristin at 6/04/2008 7:25 PM

Hi Kristin!

Yep, I am also part of Club Hell and obviously we have great taste.

Thanks Jess...I do like them and they are addicting.

Posted by:  Lori T at 6/04/2008 11:02 PM

Yay, Jeri! I think she has fantastic taste, and you must be thrilled to bits. Wicked Game deserves all the buzz and more. More, I say!

Congrats, woman. You're the modern explosive device, complete with digital timer.

Posted by:  Ann Aguirre at 6/05/2008 10:42 PM

LOL @ Ann! Thanks!

Posted by:  Jeri at 6/05/2008 11:07 PM