Justine Larbalestier

reading, writing, eating, drinking, sport

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Zombies versus Unicorns Cover

Today mine & Holly Black’s Zombies v Unicorn anthology was featured on EW’s Shelf Life, the press release went out, and the Simon & Schuster’s official Z v U page is officially official.1 Go there to vote Team Zombie—my team—because zombies are superior to unicorns in every way.

Over the next few months leading up to the antho’s publication in September I will have much to say about it. But today I wanted to talk about the art because it is so spectactular that I’m still pinching myself. I love it!2 The artist, Josh Cochran, has surpassed himself with his Heironymous-Bosch-meets-Where’s-Waldo epic art.3

Feast your eyes:


And do click on the art to see it in its much bigger glory.

What could be cooler than that? Well, how about the fact that it’s going to go on the boards of the book. Yup, for the first time in my publishing career, a book of mine will look just fine without a dustjacket. A book of mine is going to look good NAKED. Happiness!

But do not panic: the glorious art will not be totally concealed by the dustjacket. Oh, no, Simon & Schuster are going with a three-quarter black dust jacket so that you can see the magnificent zombie v unicorn battle peeking out of the dj. It’s going to be absolutely spectactular. I cannot wait to see the final book. In fact, not since my first book was published have I ever been so eager to see the final book.

Note: A few of the people I’ve shown this art to seem to be under the misapprehension that the unicorns are winning. Not so! What they clearly do not realise is that zombies are many, unicorns are few. In fact, every unicorn in the universe is depicted in this art. Whereas the legions and legions of zombies wait at its edges. Unicorns are So. Very. Doomed.

  1. Yes, those of you on Twitter already know about it. That’s because being on Twitter makes you special. Give yourself a special Twitter hug. [↩]
  2. For those who seem to have been confused on that subject in the past you can tell that I love this cover because I wrote “I love it.” Rather than, say, telling you that other people love it. [↩]
  3. Tip of hat to Diana Peterfreund for the Where’s Waldo part of the mashup. [↩]

Posted by Justine at 19:03, 4 February 2010 under Zombies v Unicorns | 19 Comments »

Comments

  1. PixelFish Says:

    If the unicorns become zombies who wins…

    February 4th, 2010 at 7:39 PM

  2. Cyndy Otty Says:

    Wow! I just…that’s all I can think to say…wow!

    February 4th, 2010 at 7:40 PM

  3. rockinlibrarian Says:

    I confess to having not really cared about zombies OR unicorns before, but that picture is just awesome, and I possibly might have picked up the book on that alone.

    February 4th, 2010 at 7:41 PM

  4. Debbie Says:

    That is pretty dang awesome. Now I want a copy!

    February 4th, 2010 at 7:44 PM

  5. Ali Says:

    Wow, this is amazing! I was already really, really excited for this book, and the cover just makes it even better. If this was my book I would be pinching myself too.

    Although it’s a shame for you that the unicorns are so obviously winning…

    February 4th, 2010 at 7:55 PM

  6. Diana Peterfreund Says:

    WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

    This art makes me squeal, like a zombie getting skewered by a badass unicorn — TEAM UNICORN 4-EVAH!

    February 4th, 2010 at 7:56 PM

  7. libba Says:

    Foul horned beasties are doomed! DOOMED! Zombies FTW. That is all.

    February 4th, 2010 at 8:06 PM

  8. Nushi-ke Says:

    Zombie-unicorns because fusions are FTW!!!!

    February 4th, 2010 at 9:55 PM

  9. AudryT Says:

    You can’t fool us with your fancy words. The unicorns are definitely winning.

    February 4th, 2010 at 11:05 PM

  10. Ashley Says:

    I am so very pyched for this book. I don’t know which team I’m on yet. I’m leaning towards Team Unicorn, but Team Zombie might get my vote because…they’re scaring me.

    Anyways, I heart the cover art. Especially the random bird-man standing to the far left behind what appears to be a dismembered goose and next to the purple zombie with a unicorn bite-mark in his ribcage.

    So. Thumbs up.

    February 4th, 2010 at 11:08 PM

  11. Steffie Says:

    I can’t wait for this book! This ongoing war between Zombies and Unicorns is tearing my family apart. My mother is Team Unicorn while my daddy, my brother, and I are Team Zombie. There have been many arguments… Momma said Unicorns are magical and never could be killed… then I mentioned her beloved Harry Potter and how Voldemort easily took down a Unicorn. She hasn’t spoken to me since *sighs dramatically*

    February 5th, 2010 at 12:04 AM

  12. Susie Says:

    That is the most awesome cover ever! Made me laugh out loud, which I needed this morning. : )

    February 5th, 2010 at 1:18 PM

  13. Aja Says:

    TEAM ZOMBIE! though i confess, i see the zombies are not very good at defense. they seem to have the chop-off-horn/stab-unicorn offense down, but their only strategy when faced with a unicorn seems to be “PRESENT BODY FOR SPEARING.” I will depend on the innards of the book to tell me how Team Zombie shall overcome this tragic flaw. TEAM ZOMBIE!

    also, it feels imperative to chant:
    BRAAAAAAAAINS

    February 6th, 2010 at 10:40 PM

  14. Dani Says:

    ohh pretty! can they make a poster of it? i want it in my dorm!

    February 7th, 2010 at 6:05 PM

  15. Aja Says:

    Justine Larbalestier, I am holding a contest! It is a creature contest, and Zombies v/s Unicorns is the prize! One of the prizes, anyway! I am not sure what prize would really befit an Oompa-loompa victory, but I will cross that bridge after I have battled the troll beneath it.

    Anyway: creature madness! I just thought you would like to know!

    March 15th, 2010 at 8:35 PM

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