Techno Rebels

Unearthing this post about the old cover from the rickety, original Techno Rebels blog. I can’t imagine the second edition will suffer the same fate.

I was going through the old Detroit techno zines I promised to post this week (still working on it), when I came across a file cabinet drawer bursting with materials for the Techno Rebels. Old chapter proofs, notes, magazine clippings — you name it. I grabbed an old book proposal to pass on to Melissa, who’s in the process of bringing the stinging wit of Suburban Bliss to the printed page. Behind it were print-outs of alternate cover ideas.

Always a sore subject with me — even 6 years later.

I knew going in (I think after my agent broke it down for me) that authors almost never have a say in how their book covers are designed. I still find that very odd, but I’m sure it’s a practice that centuries old or something. The publishing industry is really quirky that way.

We managed to add a line in the contract that allowed me to have some say in the matter, but it turned out to be pretty nebulous. I jumped the gun and asked Rita Sayegh to propose some ideas that we would then pass on to the publisher. She was kind enough lend her time and talent and designed some pretty striking covers:

This one gives Lisa Spindler’s shadowy representation of Juan the treatment it deserves. I really thought it would pop in a bookstore display. My favorite by far (I’m glad we shortened the subtitle, even though I like this one’s rhythm).

A more reserved one here, but it’s obviously easier to read and you get a quicker impression of what’s inside.

These were both rejected and we did I think two more rounds trying to figure it out before we gave up. Ultimately I think there was a jacket designer on contract with Watson-Guptill* and we never really had a chance to exert much influence. I still don’t know what they were thinking with the final cover.

Lisa’s shot is there. Cool. Main typeface is Eurostile. Ok, not bad. Subtitle is a kind of post-modern/dystopian font. Not really what I was shooting for, but fine. And then, EEEK! Why in the name of Ralf and Florian is there more type on the page? In another font? In neon green? And taking up the entire length of the cover?

The thought of that last bit still makes me want to strangle a raver with his or her pacifier cord.

I believe that third line of copy was supposed to be the description for the catalog — I never dreamed it would show up on the cover. At least not like that.

Rita, you’re a saint.

*The real name of the publishing company — “Billboard Books” is just an imprint.