One of my favourite points in the birth of a book is when it first appears on Amazon – it’s the point where it becomes real, out there as opposed to being just part of the author’s world. It’s also when we get to show off about the cover! (Yes, I’d prefer it to be bought for real bookshops that pay their taxes, but Amazon is the place where you can get it most easily.)
World’s Best Cider is a departure from my previous books in that:
a) It’s co-authored – on this occasion with Bill Bradshaw, AKA IAMCIDER in the blogosphere.
b) It has a simultaneous release in both the UK and the USA.
c) It’s more of a typical, illustrated coffee table type book rather than being narrative-led like my previous ones. When Bill and I decided to work together on cider we were looking at doing some kind of illustrated ‘Three Sheets‘-style travel caper. But when we realise that no one had ever given cider the ‘world guide’ treatment that beer got from the likes of Michael Jackson and, more recently, Ben McFarland and Steve Beaumont and Tim Webb, we just had to jump in there and do it. I’m glad we did. We’ve tried to minimise the number of pages that are just bottle shots and tasting notes – although we’ve still given that treatment to around 250 ciders from around the world – and give a flavour of cider based on its history, regional styles, terroir, and most importantly, the characters who make it. So as well as looking great, we hope it’s a book people will enjoy reading cover to cover.
Publication dates are 1st October in the US and 17th October in the UK – just in time for Apple Day!
So anyway, here’s the cover of the UK version:
Which do you prefer?
US, definitely. The UK one looks like a pulp crime novel or horror B-movie poster.
The US version is better. Delighted to see Somerset getting a mention on both, though…
US version, but please check the spelling of terroir on the cover before getting it printed…!
I thought the UK cover was a play on a zombie horror cover (I then realised the red splats was an apple texture).
US cover is beautiful though. Spot on.
Hate to say it, but the US cover version is one I definitely prefer. May have to pick it up there or ask my folks to send it to me from Florida.
The content in both, I'm sure, will be brilliant.
Prefer the US version as well. May have to see if I can order it through Abebooks.com from the US, or ask my folks in Florida to send it off to me here when it's out.
The content in both will be excellent, though, I'm sure.
U.S
Prefer the pictures on the last blog of hoodies necking frosty jacks, but heh, for flogging books both look alright.
Interesting!
Maybe it's not clear but the bit at the top of the UK cover is a wassail. If you've never been to one, you really need to go next January!
The UK cover is certainly more eye catching.
Will content (other than spelling adjustments) be identical in both versions?
I do have the US version currently on pre-order.
I prefer the UK cover for its eye-catching graphic – I think it would stand out on bookshelves – but the US version looks more like a food/beverage cover.
Yeah the US version wins hands down for me… Minus the misspelling of Terroir of course. Didn't we talk about that in the car? I know Bill caught me accidentally misspelling that this year too.
US Cidermaker says "UK cover all the way". Wassails bring a little tear to my eye.
Heh, as I was reading the earlier comments I was thinking to myself "These guys have never been wassailing…"
Oh, and yes, I really hope your US publisher fixes the spelling before it goes to print.
As everyone else has stated the US version, but then again I didn't know why people would be lighting fires in a grove of trees (thought along the same lines as Beer Nut with his B-movie horror poster).
Unrelated to the book but related to apples. Did you see this article about a guy finding "lost" varieties of apples (he found "The Harrison" a while back): http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/heritage-apples-john-bunker-maine
Just getting into cider so looking forward to the book.
The US cover was changed ages ago and I had a very old pic – you are an eagle-eyed lot! Correct US cover version now in place.
And you guys really need to get to a wassail!
Uk version is better!!
I also prefer the UK version – much more striking. The US version seems a bit impersonal in a funny sort of way while the UK image feels more, well, cidery somehow.
Funnily enough I like the UK cover, but then I live in Somerset, have been to a wassail and love the Whicker Man.
The UK version for me. Much more distinct, really like the use of apple colours in the fonts, whereas the US version reminds me of my attempts to make cd art using google images.
Both version are nice, US is more stylish, but UK is more artistic, although it looks like scene from zombie horror. I lately read http://www.wespeaknews.com/features/the-true-drink-of-the-gods-208530.html about brewery from eastern Europe. Have you ever tried beer from there?
UK cover for me – as someone has said, US style just looks like a random list of googled images put together by a temp on a Sunday magazine…
Love the US cover! UK is great as well but I personally like the feel of the US cover better.
OH YES! AT LAST, A GOOD CIDER BOOK. Where can I get a signed one?
We'll be doing LOADS of signing events when the book is out in October. Publicity-shy wallflower that I am, I'll be posting details of them everywhere.
Definitely the US cover. Can't wait for it!
@dave, the recent article on John Bunker is great, but Tom Burford of Virginia is the one credited with rediscovering the Harrison. Bunker and Burford put on a workshop at CiderDays 2011 that was a highlight of the event for me!
Fingers are still crossed that you will find yourself on the left side of the Atlantic this summer. Looks like a stellar crop in the Midwest this fall, so even more great ciders for next year.
Real Cider in the US has gained enough in popularity to make the industrial breweries sit up, take notice, and try to cash in on it.
It's not so much the fire and trees that makes me dislike the UK version as the selection of 10 ciders to take over most of the cover. The US one could be an easy sell to wine/beer afficionados – it covers history (old bus), apples, nice looking drinks and traditional processes (barrels). The UK version may appeal more to Stephen King fans.