Last night I alluded to an Unexpected Package that appeared on my porch. Now that my camera battery is charged, I can show you what that package contained!
Oooooooh. Ahhhhhh. Ohhhhhh. It's finished copies of FREEFALL! Yay!!!!!! These are identical in every way to the books that will be going on bookstore shelves in just...nineteen days (give or take).
So, there are a few differences between the Advance Reviewer Copy (ARC) and the real book. One is that the image on the front cover wraps along the spine and is mirrored on the back. (My thumb is kind of blocking the way, but you get the idea.) On the ARC, the back cover didn't have the shattering glass and is just black with lettering.
Another difference is the look of the spine. The book (which is on top) has a black spine, huge lettering for the title, and my first and last names. I always liked the look of the light blue on the ARC's spine because I thought it stood out on the shelf beside other books. (Not that my ARC was ever on a shelf. I kept in near me at all times, which you probably see by how beat up the spine is.) But I actually like this much better. It's kind of fancier and makes more of an impact, I think.
One thing I never liked much about the ARC is that the cover is glossy. Which means that every time someone touches it, fingerprints galore! Also, there was always so much glare when I took pictures of it! (Ha.) But as you can see, the book itself has a non-glossy finish, which I adore. It was a surprise, too, because I'd gotten it in my head that the book was going to be glossy.
One more thing: the tagline (which reads: Sometimes the edge is closer than you think) is larger on the book. Another excellent adjustment!
So, as you might guess, I really love all the changes in the look of the Book vs. ARC. I'm so very, very excited and can't wait for everyone else to be able to get their own!
I have to say, though, I am desperately attached to my ARC. We've been together for so long, just me and my ARC, and now these new and improved finished copies are here, looking way snazzier and trying to steal my attention. I need to pick one of the books to be My Personal Copy and finally move my ARC to the bookshelf so it won't get beat up further. But I'll never forget all the times we've shared. ♥