Battle of the Book Covers: STAINED vs STAINED by Cheryl Rainfield

New Cover

I'm a big fan of Cheryl Rainfield. We met on Twitter and she's always been dear to my heart after  reading her book SCARS. It's based on her true life story of sexual abuse and terrible mistreatment and abuse during her early years. SCARS was published by a small publisher. Cheryl didn't anticipate the book making it into big bookstores. I was so excited to let her know when I spotted it in Barnes & Noble! Now Cheryl is moving up in the publishing world. Her newest book, STAINED  is being published by a major publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers! Yay! B&N has already signed on---and herein lies the rub: B&N didn't like the original book cover. They requested that it be changed.


Original cover

You may not realize it, dear reader, but a major book store has a lot of influence on a book's cover. If they don't like it, they can refuse to carry the book. That's a huge motivator to get a cover they're more comfortable with.

In this case, I think they're wrong. That's just my humble opinion of course. I'm looking at it from the simple position as a reader. STAINED is greatly influenced by Cheryl's personal experience with abuse. (Search for Cheryl's interview on this blog.) It's about a teen's experience when she is kidnapped and abused by her captor--both sexually and emotionally. Although Cheryl wrote her novel before recent events in the news, it's a ripped from the headlines echo of the crazy story of the man who kidnapped those four girls and held them captive for a decade.

B&N felt the original cover was too graphic. Really? The girl is shown being held captive. You totally know what this tale is about immediately. With the recent kidnapping revelations, it's an immediate draw. It's not like the cover model is showing her nude body. I think they're playing it too safe. Like I said, I know it would definitely catch my attention on the shelf, but I'm not a publishing professional, just a humble reader.

In any case, add it to your reading list. It releases October 1,  2013.

What do you think? Which cover do you like best?

Toodles, ya'll!

Join Cheryl Rainfield, Author of SCARS for a special TwitterChat on Wednesday, June 23.

Some of you may recall that I did an author interview of Cheryl Rainfield , author of SCARS on April 27. This book deals with a girl's struggle with sex abuse and self mutilation--cutting. While the book is a work of fiction, Ms. Rainfield certainly knows of which she writes as she too, struggled with such issues in her own life. Victims of abuse often self-harm in order to deal with their pain. On Wednesday, June 23 at 7 P.M. EST, Cheryl will be hosting a chat on Twitter about these issues and what can be done to stop it.

http://tiny.cc/wy12u

Won't you join her? If you or someone you know struggles with abuse in its various forms, feel the need to hurt or experience pain as a form of release to overcome difficult and hurtful circumstances, or if you simply want to learn more and understand, please stop in and take part in the chat. Use the hashtag #breaksilence.

I'll be there. I hope you will too.

One Day Giveaway Today Only: YA Goodness and a Little Touch of Bling! Blogmania 2010

WELCOME To BLOGMANIA !            

My Blog is 3 of 122  

You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY  (For One Day Only – April 30^th) .

We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing. Each blog will have a number and each new blog link will have a number. These numbers will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Why not take a moment to make a list of blog numbers  1-122 and check off the blogs as you go.

I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark that site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.  

Now, here are the particulars of MY GIVEAWAY and RULES:

I like to keep it simple folks. For a chance to win the Grand Prize or the First Prize just become a follower if you're not already and and leave a comment with your e-mail or some way to contact you. That's it! What could be simpler? Let's go over the fabulous prizes:

The Grand Prize consists of all three books in the Evernight series by Claudia Gray: Evernight, Stargazer and the newly released Hourglass. These books are a nice twist on Twilight and it's all about the vampires with love and romance of course. I can't say anything more or it will ruin the cool turns the story takes. I sure didn't see it coming...Nice!

  

                              

The First Prize is the intense new release, SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield. This is a story of one girl's painful struggle with the aftermath of sexual abuse and the self mutilation she utilizes to deal with it. The story is pretty suspenseful and takes some very dramatic and unexpected turns. My heart was pounding in more than a few scenes. Totally unexpected.

I'm also including a pair of multi colored drop earrings. Perfect for Spring or Summer outfits. Enjoy.

            

                                                                 

                                                                

Thanks for dropping by. The winners will be announced over the weekend. After you are done here, you may continue your journey by hitting up the blogs listed below. Hit the links and continue searching for book blogger bounty! Have fun!

Toodles!

(Blog- 1) – HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Between The Pages -http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/

(Blog-2)– CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) The Black Sheep Dances -http://www.theblacksheepdances.blogspot.com

(Blog-43) - CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Books, Books Everywhere - http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/

 (Blog-21) Amundsen House of Chaos - http://www.amundsenhouseofchaos.com/

(Blog-38) Parajunkee's View -  http://www.parajunkee.com/

(Blog-58) A Journey of Books - http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net

(Blog- 98) Bertram's Blog - http://ptbertram.wordpress.com

(Blog-16) Coupon Clippin’ Mommy - http://www.couponclippinmommy.com/

(Blog-116) Chrissy’s World of Books - http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/ 

(Blog-23) Enjoy Life, Enjoy Now - http://rantsravesandpetpeeves.blogspot.com

Sex Abuse Realities: Author Interview with Cheryl Rainfield, Author of SCARS.

1) It took you 10 years to get SCARS published. Tell us about that. Why so long?

 I think it was a combination of how much there is in Scars that people can have a hard time reading or talking about--self-harm, sexual abuse, and a lesbian character--as well as my own growth as a writer. Scars has a lot in one book, I think--especially for traditional publishers. But they're things that teens know about, things that need to be talked about.

I went through many revisions of Scars over the years. I had to learn to be able to write in more lightness and happiness. I know my writing technique and knowledge also improved over the years.

I also think that there was some luck involved in getting Scars published--some serendipity and timing. I found the perfect publisher and perfect editor for Scars just when they came together.

2) SCARS is a moving story. You've been open in acknowledging your own trials and tribulations with sexual abuse. How much of SCARS is your story? How much is autobiographical?

I drew deeply on my emotional truths and experiences for Scars--but it really is work of fiction. I am not Kendra. That said, I did put a lot of myself into Kendra, and I strongly identify with her. I think I'm sensitive, compassionate, emotional, and artistic like Kendra. And, like her, I'm easily hurt, yet emotionally strong--a fighter. And of course I'm a survivor of incest and ritual abuse, used self-harm to cope, and am lesbian.

Like Kendra, I coped with the trauma of abuse by cutting. The emotional pain was too overwhelming, the effects too deep. It was a coping I needed. And, like Kendra, some of my abusers taught me to cut myself to keep silent.  one now. Both provided me with some of the only safety and love I knew. But unlike Kendra, I never experienced closeness to or kindness from my abusers/parents.

Kendra is more feisty than I was as a teen. More challenging and outspoken. I fought back against my abusers, but in my own ways; I was able to be more protective of others than of myself.

Blogmania Giveway Update. Adding the Bling! Be Here Friday, April 30th!!

Hi guys. I've made the final addition to the big giveaway on Friday. I've added a colorful pair of earrings that will be perfect with all your Spring and Summer outfits. I'm going to include the earrings with the First Prize. So, let's reiterate what the giveaway is going to consist of:

                                          

The Grand Prize will consist of all three books in the Evernight series by Claudia Gray: Evernight, Stargazer and the newest release Hourglass. They're an awesome vampire love and suspense saga.

The First Prize will consist of the moving new release SCARS, by Cheryl Rainfield and the multi-colored drop earrings:

                                                   

It should be a really fun time. I look forward to seeing you all here.

Toodles!                                        

First Prize Revealed: Blogmania Update. April 30, 2010

I've decided on the First Prize for the One Day Blogmania giveaway on April 30. I'm going to giveaway the new release SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield. I just finished this book and it is a compelling tale of a girl's perilous journey to survive sexual abuse and the self-injurious behavior she utilizes to cope. It offers a wealth of resources at the end of the book for those seeking assistance with these troubling issues.  The author struggled with these issues personally and knows of which she speaks.

I'm pleased to offer this book, not only as a moving piece of fiction, but as a helpful resource as well.

April 30th is fast approaching. Don't forget to pass by here for an opportunity to get some great books.

Toodles!

SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield: A Personal Journey, Ten Years in the Making.

The completion of SCARS, was a very personal one for the author, Cheryl Rainfield.  It took her ten years to get it published. Though it is a book of fiction dealing with self-harm, it's foundation is based upon her own painful struggles with sex abuse. Self mutilation is an attempt to release tension and a response to feeling shame. It is not uncommon in children who have been sexually abused. As a therapist that has worked with such children, I know how important it is for people to recognize the signs of this kind of trauma. I hope you'll pick up this book. It'll be an eyeopener, much as Boy Toy by Barry Lyga, that I discussed in a earlier post.

The arms you see displayed on the cover of the novel are actully those of the author Cheryl Rainfield. The scars were enhanced for the cover.

SCARS releases today!

Thanks for dropping by.