Goodbye to the Gallery

When I sold my first novel back in 1979, I didn't know much of anything about how publishing worked. I'd never met another published writer, unless you count being introduced to Isaac Asimov and Hal Clement as a kid, when they were talking with my father about teaching chemistry. I'd never heard of cover proofs. When I got a cover proof for The Lure of the Basilisk in the mail it was a complete surprise. I didn't know what to make of it. It was a vaguely surreal experience, seeing my name on something resembling a book cover, and a representation of my character -- neat, very neat, but very strange. That silly armor Darrell Sweet had given him didn't make any sense. I couldn't decide whether I liked the cover or not.

I studied that cover proof intently, and showed it to everyone I could, and then wondered, "Now what am I supposed to do with it?"

( The rest of the story here... )