Competence UK Cover! Are you ready?
The cover for Competence UK and associated territories is now live in the world! The Chirrup got to see it first, but here it is for the rest of you, plus explanations and details…
Here she is!

Cover art by Starla of designedbystarla.com
Amazon.co.uk & other worldwide Amazons coming AFTER May 18, 2018
HERE IS WHERE WE FOUND THE EBOOK LISTED
Kobo UK | Kobo Australia | Kobo New Zealand
Kobo Germany | Kobo Japan – Rakuten ブックス | Kobo France
Trouble finding it on Kobo in your country?
Try searching with ISBN 9781944751128
I put the Parasol Protectorate Facebook group on the hunt and they were wonderful!
Where’s the print?
It’s coming I promise!
Once the print is available what can I do to get it?
Call or visit your favorite local bookstore! Ask them to “Order it from Ingram“
Borderlands will have signed editions of the USA Hardcover.
Call 888.893.4008 or email webmail@borderlands-books.com
Why is the cover of Competence different?
Because I am publishing to the UK and other non-North American territories myself.
I know, I’m scared too.
That’s why it’s taking so long to get my ducks in a row.
Please be patient with me as I have never done this before (split a series between traditional publisher and self publisher). I have plenty of practice distributing outside the USA, see all my novellas and San Andreas Shifter stuff. But this exact situation is untested waters. I promise I am doing my absolute best for you. I could not be working harder to make sure it is getting to as many of you as possible on schedule!
How will it work?
Did you get the print edition of Prudence and Imprudence in hardcover?

This is the hard cover size!
If you got the first 2 in hardcover, then you have been getting the USA edition of this book. You will continue to do so. NO CHANGE FOR YOU.
Your cover will look like this:
Do you live outside the USA and get the B-format trade size book at release date?
These books are the SAME SIZE as my novellas! Is that what you have been getting?
Then you’ll be getting the UK cover in the same format and size and it will look like this:
Everything should hopefully match up as much as possible to the two you already own. Yes, including the spine design and everything. (That is one of the things taking us extra time to get right.) Do not doubt the magic that is Starla (my cover art designer).
You should notice almost no differences in size or anything else. Do not worry about it matching to the other books in the series. It will match.
I don’t leave the house without my hat, purse, gloves, and shoes matching. Like I would less diligent about my books!
Are you outside the USA/Canada and able to get the novellas?
Then you’ll be able to get this book.
Once more with feeling!
Here’s the bit in the Live from February where I explain the different book sizes:
I explain a lot on the different cover sizes. I go into a bit of a show and tell using Imprudence as a model (backwards because I’m using my phone’s flip camera) but you get the idea. At Time Stamp 39:00.
But Miss Gail, I like them both & want to own both!
You’re a darling and I love you!
Generally speaking (aside from second party sellers and illicit means) USA readers shouldn’t be able to get the UK edition, and visa versa. (Gail cocks an eyebrow at you thoughtfully.)
But you know, interesting things happen to the Chirrup members… just saying.
How about beneath the cover?
The text of the book itself is NO DIFFERENT between the two editions.
With one exception, as has always been the case:
The USA books use the word “ladybug” and the UK book suse the word “ladybird.” See this blog post on the subject of anglicization.
Now it’s your turn!
Who care about covers, where’s the audiobook?
This split in distribution should not affect the audiobook.
In the USA it should release as normal.
In the UK it’ll probably be within a month, that’s usually how it works.
Other audiobook issues? Here’s your blog post. Many of the same reasons apply.
I’ll let the Chirrup know if anything changes from normal.
Hugs!
Miss Gail
As always, you don’t have to take my word for it…
Well, actually you do, but here is a related article anyway:
- Why Do Publishers Still Issue Hardbacks, Given That They’re Not That Popular Anymore?
- Scammers Are Using Createspace to Spam Amazon With Pirated Textbooks
- Money Laundering Via Author Impersonation on Amazon?
- A changing book business: it all seems to be flowing downhill to Amazon
Did you miss this cover art announcement? New stuff goes to my Chirrup members first, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
Coop de Book for March is Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina. (Discussion here.)
LATEST RELEASE
Amazon | Kobo | B&N | iBooks | Direct
Romancing the Werewolf ~ A Supernatural Society Novella by Gail Carriger is now available (audio will follow).
Gay reunion romance featuring your favorite reluctant werewolf dandy, the return of a certain quietly efficient Beta, and some unexpected holiday gifts.
UPCOMING SCRIBBLES
- How to Marry a Werewolf (In 10 Easy Steps) ~ A Claw & Courtship Novella
Out May 13, 2018.
Featuring a certain white wolf we all love to hate (except those of us weirdos who love to love him).
Add this book on Goodreads. - Competence ~ Custard Protocol Book 3
Out July 17, 2018.
Third in the Custard Protocol series featuring Primrose, Rue, and all their crazy friends. Available to preorder in digital & hardcover! - The Omega Objection ~ The San Andreas Shifters Book 2
Coming November 2018.
A werewolf walks into a bar and falls in love with a man who has no smell.
Add this book on Goodreads.
GAIL’S DAILY DOSE
Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1910c Frederick Frieseke (American artist, 1874-1939) The Garden Parasol
Your Infusion of Cute . . .
Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Goodreads Can Tell You When Ebooks Go on Sale
Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Customers Won’t Pay as Much for Digital Goods
Book News:
Quote of the Day:
What is Paper?
A substance made by Europeans of linen rages: by the Chinese of silk. The discoverer is unknown; but it was introduced into Europe towards the close of the tenth century.
How is paper made?
The rags are first sorted, then carried to the mill, and put into an engine placed in a large trough filled with water: this engine has long spikes of iron fixed in it; and, by moving round with great swiftness, soon tears the rags every way, and reduces them to a pulp; moulds are then used, the size of a sheet of paper, which are dipped into his pulp, and shaken till the paper becomes of hte thickness and consistence the makers wish it to be.
Several of these sheets when taken from the moulds are laid one upon another, with a piece of felt placed between each; and after being twice pressed are hung up to dry.
When dry, the paper is taken off the lines, and rubbed smooth with the hand; it is then sized.
The size is made of clean parchment and vellum shavings: the size is trained through fin cloth, which is strewed with powdered white vitriol and alum; the paper is dipped in this, and, after being pressed a third time, it is separated sheet by sheet to dry, and then made up into quires and reams.
~ Mangnall’s Questions, 1830
You know that scene in Mansfield Park where Fanny’s poor mother says, “Fanny, all that paper!” Now we see why, it was a laborious process and an expensive product!
I really like the USA cover more, myself – it looks more like Prim is ready for an adventure and has dressed prepared to run about if necessary. 🙂
I completely agree!
I personally love both. US cover shows Prime ready to explore. UK’s shows Prime in snarling a certain shifter. *wiggles eyebrows*
Hooray! I love the both too!
I have voted for the UK cover (which in the one I should get by the way), but it has been a hard choice. on the US cover Prim looks ingenuous whereas on the UK cover she looks a little haughty. Concerning, her dress, the colour is a little excentric (it reminds me of her mother) on the US cover, whereas it is more practical for travel and modern (why short sleeves?) on the UK cover.
Hard choice. I agree with Anne. I loved the sexy, saucy outfit & pose on the UK cover, but the (haughty) express on the model’s face reminds me of Monique. I like the warmth and sweetness on the model’s face for the US cover – more in keeping with the Prim I’ve grown to love! So although I like the UK cover best overall, I’m still choosing the US cover. 🙂