Married But Available – The Cover Story
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Abhijit Bhaduri
Don’t judge a book by its cover. When a book lies among a hundred others on the shelf, it is the cover that first catches the eye. Thereafter the seduction of the reader is unabashed. through great graphics or visuals, maybe through an interesting title or through a controversial quote or a celeb author’s photo or endorsement, the cover tries to get you to cough up the money and take the book home.
Sometimes the book will announce “1 million copies sold in sixteen languages”. That is truly impressive. Hats off to the authors who do that. i know the religious texts often achieve those numbers but for those who don’t have that strategic advantage, the cover is the best starting point.
So here is the cover of Married But Available. No one has seen it – besides Karthika, my Editor and Shuka Jain - the designer I worked with. So this is where you saw it first. Tell me what you think. I am holding my breath. Don’t just click to another page. Leave your comment here… do you like the cover? And tell me what kind of a cover makes you buy a book.
The launch is on 20 Sep 2008 in Delhi. Will let you know who is the celeb launching the book. Any case I am curious to know which celeb would be really cool to have for the launch. Should it be an author… which author would you recommend? A fashion Designer? A Page 3 kind of personality? A top executive? A reader? A film star or a cricketer? Love to know your suggestions. Maybe do the launch without any celeb at all? Hey, if you are in Delhi on 20th September 08 in the evening, come for the launch. Be my guest. Bring your friend along.
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Eventually it all fell into place. The evolution of the Word document into typeset pages was beautiful feeling. It was like getting a sneak preview of the future. Until the very end, my editor Karthika and I, argued over the rationale of phrases and the “authenticity of voice” of characters. Look, I wanted to show off about the last bit myself having learnt about it recently. The book was typed and printed and bound and ready to be launched. The [...]... - Married But Available Launch Photos
To decide who would release the first copy of the book, we asked the audience to write their names on a piece of paper and drop it in a box. Karthika picked a name from the lot. that turned out to be Senthil Kumar who I share my alma mater with (just that he got way better grades than me always at XLRI – School of Business and Human Resources). In the photo above : (Senthil Kumar releases the novel. [...]... - Married But Available in the News
After the Media Launch of Married But Available at City Select Mall in Saket, New Delhi the next city was Kolkata. My first novel Mediocre But Arrogant was launched on 3rd August 2005 at the Oxfordbookstore, Kolkata. This time it was at the Crossword on Elgin Road, Kolkata. Loved the store for its great layout. Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee, the actor read out excerpts from the book. He read out excerpts that made people really senti. The book should be reaching all the bookstores in India by 10th October 2008....
10:42 pm
Your book can easily be judged through its cover. One its name den complementing the same is the cover. Awesome. Its really good. Cover is describing the brief of the story plus compelling the viewers to study in depth to reveal the entire story. Would be really waiting for a copy of the same.
With Regards
Ruchi
10:52 pm
I quite like the cover. I love the background on which the ring rests – nice warm interplay of colour/ shadow and hinting at a texture of something like ‘human skin’ – teasing the mind. Even if I did not know you – I would pick it up at least to read the blurb on the back of the book.
About what kinds of cover attract me here goes – design should be clean, uncluttered, edgy ; quality of production should be very very good, paper should have an inviting texture depending on what the book is all about – glossy/ matt / textured. This one should be smooth to the touch – almost a silken saucy feel – complementing the topic.
12:38 am
Hey Abhijit
Quite cool. Catchy! The pic says a lot! Like it quite a lot.
As for some celeb, may be someone who is known to fit the title of the book
– just joking!! Well, I guess someone who is young and articulate… Not sure who…
Cheers
Deval
12:53 am
I like the cover….maybe you could produce some merchandise for the launch with these rings as give aways…lolz I would like to have one of those for sure
Would definitely like to buy a copy and read. Celebrity might get you some required buzz for sure….the first name that popped up in my head is ‘Shobha De’ dunno why…all the best Abhijit!!!
cheers
CK
1:12 am
The cover is neat and symbolic. Nice tone and colour contrast.Reflects the essence of the plot.
I remember the first preview of the cover of the first book. It was drawn by you and had that personal touch of the author. This one has a thorough professional touch. Enhances the commercial aspect of the book. And in this age of commercialism, that is a “must have”.
I love books which have not just an attractive cover(with nice colour tones and pics) but proper theme to highlight the plot of the story.
And for the celeb bit, I don’t feel any movie star or sports personality can do justice to the launch of this book. May be a renowned author or a biz person as you had for the first one (since the theme of the book revolves round the corporate world).
Final take: A book should never be judged by its cover.
Best of luck for the launch. Will miss this one!
1:51 am
Amazing!!!
2:13 am
Hey Abhijit
Quite cool. Catchy! The pic says a lot! Like it quite a lot.
I love books which have not just an attractive cover(with nice colour tones and pics) but proper theme to highlight the plot of the story.
All the best
Yogita
3:04 am
Can’t wait to read the book!
How about a red background that highlights the ring? In any case, aren’t things in the red when you are …… !!
3:49 am
Interesting cover …Some thoughts:
a) Can the ring be embossed – like coming out from the page.
b) The writings Married But Available doesnt seem symmetrical.
c) I agree to Deepa’s comment- Background to be human skin tone.
d) The spark on the ring may look better on one of the sides instead of centre.
But overall, I like the depiction. Its intriguing and leaves enough scope for imagination
Good to create the buzz
4:08 am
Ek Dum Dhansoo Hai Malik …
Best Seller For Sure…
5:22 am
Totally love it! All the very best…and I wish I could attend the launch (not as the celebrity of course)!
I like the consistancy with the words in the title…
7:06 am
iam in love with this cover… the cover is dipicting the brief of the story..
but then u can substitute this GOLD ring with a DIAMOND ring.. in order to make the cover more catchy n abit glamorous
7:16 am
Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it!!!!
I guess Rajat Kapoor would be perfect….
He hosts a show called ‘The lounge’ in NDTV goodtimes which deals wid relationships…He is also a brilliant actor….i would stongly recommend him….
All the best….i hope that it’s a world best seller……….
9:01 am
loved it as it is ! Eye catching cover and title!
11:53 am
Great cover…….
Eye Catching ……….
I can’t hardly wait for it…………….
3:52 pm
very nice ,clean cover,like the discrepency in size of the words “available from married”…seems symbolic…
great work Abhijit!
5:03 pm
The cover looks great and I love it…Eagerly awaiting this one:)….I think you should have some high profile IIMA graduate for the opening ceremony…..
7:48 pm
I guess a lot would be wearing the ring shortly after reading your book. Very catchy and interesting..
7:49 pm
Get Salman Rushdie for the launch – Isn’t he quite Apt for the Title
9:15 pm
the designer & the guy who came up with the concept for the cover…needs a Gold Ring. The text on the ring, needs to change, though.
9:17 pm
Brilliant cover…Very symbolic…Loved it!
Looking forward to your book’s release.
11:04 pm
The cover is very catchy and thought provoking. Holds the attention of the viewers.
11:44 pm
Hi Abhijit
The creative is really good but i feel it could have been more engaging and surely there is always scope for improvement.
This is my honest opinion and i am eager to read the book and wish u all the best.
rgds
CXO Search
2:50 am
The cover is nice but very ‘expected’. Cannot fault it at all. One expects a little more originality from you.
6:14 am
Hi Abhi,
The title seems to reepersent the literal meaning of the book it would be but i feel the content can lead us to a management lesson too. The design & color scheme is perfrect combination that speaks itself about the human mind who has written the book.
Look forward to release soon
Regards
Jotbir S. Bhalla
7:56 am
Hi Abhijit
the cover is catchy, the colour combination used is good or we can call it cool,title itself is catchy,
overall
loved it ,waiting for the release…
Regards
HARDIK KAPOOR
9:35 am
The first question I’d ask is “who’s the targeted audience?” and obviously the content of the book would define that for us. Till then, I guess I’m called to be judgemental, something I hate doing.
By the way, I’m married and I am available….but only to my wife! Sorry guys! I hope you are too yours too.
Many regards,
Floyd
2:40 pm
Abhijit,
I would have preferred something like I wish I had – independent suspensions and drives for my two eyeballs so I could reassure the one here and wink at the one there at same time. But remember, that’s why nobody pays me for being a graphic artist or creative director
Sandeep
8:55 pm
abhijit
your cover page looks very vibrant and lively.granted it goes with the title,but its too pristine compared to ur previous one,should hv included few more superstitious pictures.nevertheless its great,eye catchy.
1:04 pm
The Cover of this book is very apt to the title as marriage can be best replicated through a ring ..The cover page with a Golden ring titled Married But Available . I feel that is ultimate and in one word I feel the cover is just absolutely perfect and goes hand in hadn with the story .
1:05 pm
The Cover of this book is very apt to the title as marriage can be best replicated through a ring ..The cover page with a Golden ring titled Married But Available . I feel that is ultimate and in one word I feel the cover is just absolutely perfect and goes hand in hadn with the story
11:40 am
Dear Abhijeet,
hi, I have this inkling. The title though suggests that this might be just another book on may be an extramarital relationships,but take my word for it. This book is not going to be what people are thinking it to be.
I believe its going to about people who have contributed a major chunk of their life as a dedicated employee to some company. Wives yelling at them “why dont you change if you are so much fed up with your present company.After all you are not married to this Company”.And this poor guy starts LOOKING!!!!. Looking for options!!!!
Its just a thought!!! May be it hold true!!! May be it does’nt.
I wish i was a part of this Launching Ceremony. Anyways, all the very best to you. Waiting eagerly to read this book.
Pl. send me a self autographed book,just in case my sixth holds true w.r.t the content of the book.
Regards and all the best once again!!!!!!!!!!!
Alpana,Bhopal
6:46 pm
hi Abhijit,
irrespective of the cover of your book it is the content that matters. i picked up MBA-1 from a horde of books in da shelf bcos after flippin thru a few pages i found it irresistable.
Hope the book (MBA-2) is avaliable in USA. I’m dying to read and review it.
And I hope my second review also gets featured on your site.
All the very best
Cheers,
CreativeShocker
9:17 pm
The cover makes me wanna grab a copy right away….. it ignites my curiosity quotient big time
)) looking forward to the oxford launch. Cheers !
12:36 am
Abhijit,
Cant wait for this book to release. MBA-1 was unputdownable so we do have great expectations from this one. The cover that you’ve chosen is apt. All the best for yor release tomorrow.
Vivek
11:17 am
Is it just me or do someone else think about ‘Lord of the Rings’ when seeing that cover.
All the best.
10:47 pm
Abhijit,
I read the book. Liked it. But with such an atrocious cover…I do get the concept – but such execution – I am sure your publisher can do better than that. It can be singled out among the worse covers for this year – your book deserved much better. Try to change it for subsequent reprints.
Best,
Aayan
4:48 am
I was surprised to see you write “No one has seen it except karthika”… Cause I saw ur book at the airport and wanted to buy it later and have been asking my friends for the books since…So I got shocked when I googled ur book name and saw those lines!! Nice attractive cover. Will surely read it.