Cover Reveal for “Mr. Knightley in His Own Words”

It’s been quite a harrowing journey, but COVER REVEAL DAY IS FINALLY HERE!

Like Fitzwilliam Darcy’s and Colonel Brandon‘s books, for Mr. Knightley in His Own Words, I wanted to feature an artist’s interpretation of the title character as portrayed in one of the film adaptations. But which Mr. Knightley should I use? Whose face goes on the cover – Mark Strong? Jeremy Northam? Jonny Lee Miller? If you’ve been following along, you know there’s been a months-long, ongoing controversy about that – amongst readers and in my own mind! No consensus. No clear favorite. More of a 20-40-40% split. Not helpful.

I took polls. I held a Mr. Knightley Pageant. I made multiple Cover Prototypes. And still no clear winner emerged between the top candidates. So, putting off the decision as long as possible, I produced a total of 4 portraits to see which would turn out best. That would decide it: the best painting instead of the best man.  Finally, I had a winner! The best of those 4 attempts has become the cover for Mr. Knightley in His Own Words! Publication day is just a little over a month away now: October 5th. 

So whose face is on the cover? Here’s the official book blurb followed by the cover at last:

Mr. George Knightley. According to Emma Woodhouse, you won’t see one in a hundred who is so clearly the gentleman. Respected by all, he’s kind, unpretentious, and scrupulously honest, with an air so remarkably good that it’s unfair to compare other men to him. We also know he’s been his “own Master” from a young age. But Jane Austen tell us little more.

What were his early years like, and how did he lose his parents? A man in his mid-thirties, he must have had at least one romance along the way. Did it end badly? Is that why he’s never married? When and how did his relationship with Emma shift from friendship to love? And what can explain his incredible forbearance towards the eccentric Mr. Woodhouse? Now, Mr. Knightley reveals these answers and more in His Own Words.

This is not a variation from but a supplement to the original story of Emma, chronicled in the hero’s point of view. Two-thirds completely new material, it features key events in Mr. Knightley’s past – events that still haunt him and yet have shaped who he’s become, the superior man Emma can’t help falling in love with.

So there it is!

I hope at least most of you are pleased with the cover. My apologies to Mark Strong and Jonny Lee Miller fans, but blame the artist. Jeremy Northam’s painting simply turned out the best!

As I said before, Mr. Knightley in His Own Words goes live on October 5th (paperback and Kindle) with audio to follow. To receive your Kindle copy without delay, preorder now at Amazon!