Check out the cover of Uncanny by David Macinnis Gill (Harper, Sept. 5, 2017). From the PW announcement:
Uncanny tells the story of Willow Jane Conning, who on her 16th birthday, gains strange powers and begins witnessing unnerving events, including evil spirits rising from the dead and time inexplicably standing still.
Was there any particular element that you had strong feelings about the way it would be depicted?
Black birds — crows, ravens, magpies, starlings, grackles — play an important part in the plot of Uncanny and also in various characters’ histories. They also help set the creepy, mysterious mood of the novel.
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| David Macinnis Gill |
We wanted to make sure the birds were depicted in a way that shows both their beauty and the fearful emotions they can evoke. The designer of the jacket did a great job of using understatement to bring these qualities out and to show the feathers’ beautiful iridescence.
Why is there blood on the bird’s wing? You’ll have to read to find out!
Cynsational Notes
David Macinnis Gill has been a house painter, cafeteria manager, bookstore schleper, high school teacher, and college professor. He now lives on the Carolina coast with his family and two rescued dogs. He is a faculty member at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. Uncanny is now available for pre-order.