The final cover design is in! Thank you so much for the feedback. It's really cool feeling like this is a collaborative process with my readership.

My publicist, Angela Melamud, is currently in the process of reaching out to other authors, China watchers, etc. for endorsements. Please let me know if you're able to think of anyone who might fit the bill and be willing to take the time to read an advance copy of the book!

Pub date: November 10th, 2015. Get excited!

School's out for summer! Well, that's not entirely true; I need to teach three weeks of summer session, starting next week. Until then, however, I'll be in the library at Berkeley, reviewing copyedits. (This is the final round!) I sent in feedback regarding the cover design this morning. Thank you for giving me your input; I'm really happy with where this is headed!

As I said, I'm reviewing my copyeditor's notes at the moment. Fortunately, there aren't too many. He had some really nice things to say, and I'd like to share a few of them with you here:

"Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside is a well-written novel that deftly captures the complexity that is China through the eyes of compelling characters, each grappling to come to terms with his/her own needs, desires, and shortcomings in a society that is radically different from the West. The spare writing beautifully enhances the sense of alienation and underscores the irony that lies at the heart of any foreigner’s experience in this most ironic of countries."

In other news, I gave the first reading of my novel a few weeks ago at a cafe near my apartment (picture below). I was really blown away by the amount of support I received from friends and coworkers. Check in on my webpage (www.quincycarroll.com) in the future for additional readings. I'm going to try to do as many of these as possible and get the word out there before the book is released in the fall.

With that being said, some of you might have noticed that the release date, October 27th, has been pushed back a bit. This is due to the fact that I was one week late in submitting developmental revisions. (Sorry!) If I'm able to turn in my copyedits ahead of schedule, I'm hoping that it will be adjusted. Keep checking back, and I'll update you when I know more.

Hope you're all doing well. Let me know if you ever come to the Bay Area!

Quincy

Just received the second round of cover designs this morning! I think you'll be impressed. I'm going to ask them to alter the color scheme of the bottom part and include the entire Chinese title (上山下乡) in the background, but I really like where this is headed. All that's left now is to pick out the winner! Let me know what you think. I'm going to post these images to FB, Twitter and Instagram tomorrow, but I wanted you, my backers, to see them first. I can't thank you enough for all of the input and support. YOUR money paid for this. 谢谢！

#1: This one looks a little too much like Rivendell from Lord of the Rings...

#2: This one will always have a soft spot in my heart, as it's a picture I took in Ningyuan, where the book is set, but I've heard mixed feedback.

#3: I like this one but feel like the road takes up too much space. Maybe it'd be better zoomed in on the mountains?

#4: Love the sunset over the karst topography, but the image seems blurry, and I'm left wanting.

#5: I think we might have a winner. Engaging enough?

#6: This actually reminds me a lot of Ningyuan, but, as a cover, there's not a whole lot going on...

First-round cover designs are in. Please let me know what you think (photo choice, layout, font, text placement, etc.) here or on my Facebook page. I'm leaning toward one, but it's hard to make up my mind...thanks!