YOUR FIRST TIME

Ha! Caught you. This isn't about what you're thinking. Though, of course, we can discuss that at another place and time.

I'm talking about the first time you read a writer who becomes one of your favorites--specifically, Rachel Gibson. When I first joined Avon two presidents ago, one of the first titles I worked on was SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, her first novel. It was already done--I just tied up the loose ends of the publishing process. But I read it, and I loved it, and I became convinced that Rachel was onto great things.

I'm not always right, but this time I was. Although lots of readers do, I never think of Rachel's books as "romantic comedy." There's funny stuff, sure, but there's a whole lot of depth there, too.


The original version of SI also had a cover that was considered wildly immitated in its day--and it was copied all over the place, until that trend ran its course. (And, like most trends, I figure it'll return eventually.)

Remember these -- the "cartoon covers?" They were so fresh and unique at the time. I always loved them, and I'm sort of sorry they're out of fashion, but we must move on!

We have re-released SI with a fantastic new cover that I really like. But do any of you out there miss the cartoon covers just a little bit?