When I was in discussions with my executive editor about the Flat Army cover, it took a nano-second for me to sign off on the first iteration from the Wiley art department. I'm biased, but I think it looks fantastic.
After the front cover was sorted out, it was time for me to talk about my wishes for the back cover.
Perhaps I'm naïve as a first-time author, but I insisted that there be no 'special' quotations from other authors or industry leaders on the back cover. When I interviewed Henry Mintzberg for the book he was quick to point out that he would not be providing a quotation for the back cover.
"Fine with me," I said to Mr. Mintzberg. I don't think they have a part in today's publishing world either.
Why?
Let's say I did ask Mr. Mintzberg to pen a few words about Flat Army and/or Dan Pontefract. If he agreed to do it, he'd be forced to write something nice, wouldn't he? (and we had literally just met)
What if I asked other colleagues/friends like Marcia Conner or Chuck Hamilton or Lang Davison or Mark Fidelman or Gautam Ghosh ... wouldn't they be compelled to write something nice as well?
I didn't want to put quotations on the back cover because it smacks of elitism. Sure, I may not sell as many books due to the decision, but Flat Army is about being, well ... flat ... and having a few highly recognizable names on the back cover seems antithetical to the intent of the book.
Instead, I defined flat, army and flat army and I'll let my words speak for the book as opposed to those of anyone else.
