Marley and Me
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Houston, we have a cover!
As I described in my last entry, my new memoir, "The Longest Trip Home," is coming out on Oct. 21. Things are clicking along rapidly now on the road to publication, and just last week we settled on a cover. I thought I'd share it with you and ask your opinion. It's hard to tell from this jpeg, but the green will be a rich matte finish, and the black-and-white photo will be glossy. The gold type is embossed foil, which really looks sharp on the flat green, I think.
Anyway, here it is, the official cover of The Longest Trip Home. I'm thrilled with it. Kudos to the art department at William Morrow, my publisher. And yes, that little kid in the photo is yours truly, on the floor of my childhood home, in 1959 when I was 2 years old. Man, did I love that cowboy shirt!
By the way, please know that I read every single message left here on my blog. I can't respond to them all, but I do read them and really enjoy what all of you have to say. Whether you are writing from the next town over or from Brazil or Japan or Italy or Australia, I love hearing from you. Thanks for all the messages!
-- John
posted by John Grogan at 8:53 AM
 
46 Comments:
<< Home
Previous Posts
Powered by 
|
Hello Mr. Grogan.
I should tell him that his/her book is very good. I finished reading it today, and I cried a lot with the death of Marley. He was without duvída a dog wonderful, and very entertaining. I should tell him that you finish them thirty paginate hardly got to read, the tears didn't stop falling for my face. I have a small dog calls her Jack, it is a Shih Tzu, and I am also wondering what will be me when him if it goes, to read your book, she made to see me that nor everything is as bad as seems, and as well as you they overcame, I believe that I will also overcome, and in spite of him to have only two years, he already trained a lot, and to read Marley and I helped me to notice that dogs really only want is if it amuses, and we have to give a lot of affection and to have a lot of patience with them.
I live in Brazil, and his book makes a lot of success here.
Thank you for having the courage of writing on Marley, I believe that him if it would feel very happy with the book, if it is that him no the he would eat...
Pleasure...
Erika.
Great Cover!! Excellent choices.
Great cover! Your publishing house did a wonderful job, as always. I can't wait to grab a copy when it comes out. I will mark the date on my calendar. From one yellow lab lover to another in the publishing industry, I'd like to thank you for your wonderful stories that always bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.
Best wishes and labbie love,
Jillian Koeneman
www.k9athletes.wordpress.com
I just finished Marley and Me yesterday and felt compelled to write and tell you how much I enjoyed it. I have wanted a dog since I was a kid but for various reasons, have never been able to have one. I'm finally reaching the point in my life where I have enough stability to provide a dog with a good home and after reading about your experiences with Marley, I'm even more excited about it. The rewards definitely seem to outweigh the challenges! You have a gift for getting the reader emotionally involved in your story and I'm really looking forward to reading your new book. Thanks!
Looking forward to both your movie and your new book.
I adopted my "Marley" last August and almost took her back to the shelter. She was almost more than I could handle. I decided to stick it out. In the meantime, I read Marley and Me. I learned two things through this book. There are dogs worse than Daisy, my "Marley" and if you can do it, so can I. So almost one year later, I'm proud to say that Daisy is a treasured part of our family.
Thank you.
I really like the cover and look forward to reading it once it comes out... Is that a picture of you on that cover????
Have a wonderfu day
Wendy
Marley and Me was the sort of book that comes along once in a life time. I am in love with Marley - and your writing.
I am so thrilled to hear you've written another book - and I absolutely can not wait to run to the book store to purchase it.
Thank you for the most amazing book I have ever read.
Hello,
I also just finished reading your book last night. I must say you are an excellent writer. I am a senior in college right now, and my major is communication. I wanted to be a sports journalist but recently changed my mind to sports marketing. There are a few writers out there who when I read their work spark my desire to become a journalist again. The way you described the field and how you wrote makes me want to re-think re-thinking of become a journalist.
The way in which you describe dog lovers is extremely accurate. I cried through the entire last chapter. A very long story short I could relate to it a lot. We had to put our Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Fitzy down two summers ago for very similar reasons to Marley. It was hard because it was a bad summer for my family; my mother was getting treated for breast cancer, which I am happy to say she is fine now! Also that summer my mother had also passed away. I imagined not to cry all summer, until the day we put our dog down. When I read the final chapters it made me feel as though I wasn’t crazy for feeling the way I did, so thank you for that!
I loved your book because it actually described how much a dog means to a family and to a person. I truly believe that dogs can teach you life lessons. They know when you are sad and have a funny way of making you feel better.
So I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story. I can not wait to read your new book coming out in October! I do like the cover of the book! The picture is very cute.
I bought Marley and Me about 2 years ago but could not bring myself to read it as I knew how it ended and having just started a relationship with my own lovable dog I couldn't bare to do so. I finished the book last night and have to admit I still have tears welling in my eyes sitting here in my office at work. I think we can all relate to this story in some way. For me it is the untouchable bound between human and beast. The loyalty that can be witnessed each day I look at my dog Snap. This is a beautiful story of love, loyalty, acceptance and the enevitable fate we all face. I felt a connection with the Grogans and for a few short weeks I felt as if I was sitting with John, Marley and the family. Thank you for touching my life even if you made me cry so...
My family can't wait for the movie and believe me, I'll be reading you book with great expectation.
(Don't say, "oh, crap)
Congratulations, John!
Ellen Newton Driscoll
The cover looks great. Green and gold is a good look. And what a cute little guy! (awe, shucks)
My family can't wait for the movie and I look forward to the book with great expectation!
(Don't say, "oh, crap," it isn't nice.)
Congratulations!
Ellen Newton Driscoll and family
That cover is perfect! Follows very well in the line of Marley and Me and your picture is great. I am going to pre-order it.
I saw the Marley and Me teaser in the movies the other day (I had seen it online when you mentioned it). My boyfriend, who hasn't read the book yet, could not understand why I was so excited to see the teaser. Oh, he does not know what he is missing out on!
Mr. Grogan,
I tried to finish Marley and Me last night, but I had to quit early because crying always gives me a headache. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will recognize the heartbreak and sentiment in your book. As I was reading last night, my own dog - an English setter - sneaked into bed between us (something she's not supposed to do, and something we always let her do). I was so glad to have her with me and to know that other people are as crazy about their dogs as we our about ours! Thank you for writing this book, which I believe is truly a universal story.
- Natalie
(Virginia)
p.s. Thank you for publishing a young adult version as well. I teach middle school and was so surprised when one of my students told me she had read Marley and Me.
Dear John, finally finished reading Marley and Me yesterday and just had to comment and say a big thank you from a fellow dog lover, it brought back the painful memories of my beloved Barnie 5 years ago.
Your book made me laugh and cry and I actually felt the deep pain you described when Marley passed over.
You are one beautiful family abd the book left me in suprise.... what the hell happened with Lucky, pease tell!
Fond regards, Darren xx
My husband & I used to read your columns in the SunSentinel & really enjoyed them. We especially enjoyed the "Bocahontas" columns. (We still live in Boca). When you left, we really missed you. When Marley & Me came out, I promptly bought it & afterwards bought a copy for each one of my sisters, both of them dog lovers. Incidentally, one of my sisters, Audrey, was born on 3/20/57 in the Netherlands. (We immigrated here in 1958). Both of my sisters have dogs....Audrey has a yellow lab & my other sister has 3 rescue dogs. We have 2 rescue cats because dogs are not practical for us right now. Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much we all enjoyed "Marley & Me." We look forward to your new book & the movie in December. Thank you, John!
Congratulations, this looks like a beautiful cover for your new book, I can't wait for it to be available here!
Mr Grogan, I am a Western Australian artist and dogs are my passion. Would it be possible for you to send me a photo of Marley so that I can paint a tribute portrait of him, I would be very very honoured.
Michelle Wrighton
John,
I like the cover. The photo is adorable and it gives the cover a personal touch.
My only concern is that "Marley and Me" is so prominent that people might think they're buying a sequel. Just a thought.
Best of luck with the new book ... I'll be looking for opening day!
Diane
@ www.twobarkingdogs.wordpress.com
Olá, John amei seu livro! uma historia linda e muito amorosa! Gosto muito de caes tenho um é dalmata(amo essa raça) nunca tive experiencia com labrador, mas confesso fiquei encantada com o Marley! Um grande abraço e sucesso.
The cover looks great! I can't wait to read it! I was wondering if you are planning on writing anymore children's books about Marley. My 3 year old son wants me to read "Bad Dog Marley" to him every night. He especially loves the part about the giant underwear or "undahwhe-ah" as he says. I think I can recite the whole book verbatim by now. I am desperate for new material and would love another book about "Mahddy da Kwazy dahg"
Hey John,
I just got done reading your book and it is excellent. I must have cried through the last 5 chapters. Also I found this very interesting, I am exactly a day older than you middle child. I was born on October 9, 1993. I was very shocked to see your second Childs birthday. Anyway, I was just wondering what ever happened to Lucky that you said about in the last couple pages of your book. Now I just found out that you have a dog named Gracie. So I was just curious, did you end up getting Lucky or not? Do you still live in the same house in PA as you said about in the book? by the way I also live in PA, but a long drive away from you...... I don’t know if you ever heard of Kittanning or not…..well I hope to hear from you soon and if you don’t email me I’ll just keep on bothering you sending you comments until you are annoyed to death.... okay email me at animallover067@yahoo.com thanks a bunch and by the way that doesn't have any spaces and the 067 are all numbers, By the way how old are your kids now? I own 5 small breed dogs and have just went through a death on August 6, 2007 and I still miss her so much and your book reminded me of her. Her name was Snowball and she died of Kidney Failure. Well got to go,
~Crystal H.
Hi, Mr. Grogan!
My name is Miriam and I'm from Brazil. I have just read your book (Marley & me) and I want to say that I loved it! (I bet you hear this everyday) But it's real, I loved it very, very much! I cried a lot, but I laugh too… I love dogs and I fell in love with Marley!! He was a wonderful dog. I had a dog who died 4 months ago. He was like a brother to me. I believe that, only the people who has or had a dog, can feel this kind of love. They can learn us how to love uncondicionally. Your book is really amazing! I hope your new one come soon to Brazil, ‘cause I’m really keen on reading it.
Good luck!
Love,
Miriam.
Hi Mr.Grogan
I'm Cintia, 16 years and I'm from Brazil.
I've just finished reading your book.
Liked it so much.
In my country your book is very famous and a lot of people recommended me to read. That's why I was so interested and I bought it.
I'm a little cold with stories, movies etc, but I have to admit: Your book made me cry at the end. I've never cried reading.
Well...while I was reading I was interrupted a few times by my dog. She's recovering because of a recent surgery. It's not the first time she does this kind of
surgery but now she's older and the vet said it was risky. Thank God now I have my dog better.
Please send me an answer if you read my comment.
Yours,
Cintia
This post has been removed by the author.
Hi mr. Grogan! I come back! I'm so happy for you read my comment about your book! Thank you! When your next book come to Brazil, I will read it
certainly!!
my english is not good! sorry!
Well hello,
My name is Mandy and I was wondering if you would come to Canada? I live in Ottawa Ontario (the capital) and would be so greatful if you could do a book signing here. I LOVED your book, and cried at the end, Marley god bless him is without a doubt making God laugh!!!!!!!
Great cover. I'm loooking foward to reading your new story.
Cris Prates from Brazil
Hi, John!
Wow, nice cover!
Can't wait to read the new book!
Probably here in Brazil it's gonna take a little longer for the book to come out but I can still read this blog while I'm waiting! Or maybe buy from the US...
I've read the book "Bad dogs have more fun" - couldn't help it! It's just too hard to see your name on the cover and not buy it! lol. But anyway, I liked every single storie!
Just the other day I was wondering "Does he read that comments on the blog?"; because there are too many comments and everything... and it's nice to know that you do!
Well, congratullations for the cover and success!
Regards,
Giovana, 18 - Brazil
Hi I came you congratulate him/it for the exclente book " Marley and I ", had to leave my congratulations for the work! I adored I read a translation (PORTUGUESE) of the work. . . I ended up going the tears in the end when Marley left, he amused me a lot with your games. Thank you very much for you to have given to my day a good reading! Excuse my English I am from Brazil and I don't speak your language very well! Hug Jenny and to the boys!!!!!
Hmmm. Reminds me of the Steinbeck classic, Travels with Charlie. Great Book.
Hello Mr.Grogan:
It is 8PM here in Japan.
Late this morning,i got your "Marley and Me" and now,i've finished it(of course,it's a translated book...)
On April 1st,i've lost my yellow-labrador(Named "Hana"=means flower).She was 14 years old.
To recover from the loss-dog is so difficult,but i think i'm overcoming it little by little.Though,her photo makes me quiet.
Maybe,i'll have some puppy(famale-labrador)in autumn,so i've been feeling guilty...these days.I just felt like to foget her existence.
But your book recalled me so happy times with my dog(and tearful event...her death),and taught me that i'll never ever forget those memorys.
THank you so much,you gave me the courage to enjoy the memorys...these are so beautiful!
I'm looking forword your new book is released in Japan.
Bye,
MIho
Dear Mr Grogan
I have recently read Marley & Me. I absolutely loved it and it was a very moving story.
I have a dog called Ruby, she is a collie cross german shepherd and is 16 years old.
While reading Marley's story I couldn't help but see similarities between our dog's and so when it came to the end of the book and Marley got sick I cried so much that I had to stop reading because I could no longer read the words.
While Ruby is still in good health I know that she is old and that one day the inevitable is going to happen.
Reading about Marley made me feel every emotion and I have recommended the book to my friends. As it seems that everyone knows a dog like Marley. I know I can think of at least two!
Good luck with future books, dogs and of course the film adaptation of Marley & Me, which I am looking forward to seeing.
From Helen
I'm from Australia, and I heard about the book "Marley and Me" from everyone I knew. I later received it as a Christmas present, and it made me laugh... and cry. I own a short-haired Border Collie called Lue, and he's a rascal who always raids the trashcan. Many kudos to you, the man who showed me that my dog wasn't the most mischevious! (not sure if i spelled that right)
Hi John,
I just finished "Marley and Me" and found it to be a fascinating story. We, too, lost our Dixie last year after thirteen years of great times. Several short months after Dixie's passing, we rescued our current dog, Gertrude. Gertie is approaching her first birthday, and she reminds me so much of Marley. Gert was billed as a Shepherd/Lab mix by the rescue organization, but I have my doubts. We live in a remote area of Arizona, and I firmly believe she was left here by an alien spacecraft. I'd better hurry up and send this. She's sleeping on the easy chair right behind me, and I don't want her to see what I'm saying about her.
Seriously, I often referred to Dixie as a, "gift from Jesus", and I tell that to Gert, as well. Coming from your aggressively religious background, I think you can relate to that. I do think it's remarkable how dog owners/lovers share many of the same experiences with their best friends.
I am very much looking forward to your next work coming out this October. After being born into a Dutch Reformed family and living in Chicago for 55 years, I, too, often reflect on those past experiences that probably contributed to the fabric of who I am. I get lots of time to think about this as I stare at the mountains surrounding our home. Does this mean I'm a gettin' old???
Anyway, thanks for "Marley and Me". My wife and I cried like babies after reading it. I'm sure I just love your new tale!
Tom
I have to say that the cover on Marley and Me is so beautiful that if this one is the same in every way but being green, it will be just as beautiful. I just finished reading Marley and Me, and I absolutely loved it. I'm passing it along to my brother who is a Lab lover. I will miss having the book with it's cheerful red cover laying around, but it's too beautiful to put in a book case where no one sees it or shares it. I'm sure everyone in my brother's family will enjoy passing it around.
Oh, and I posted a story on your sharing page about one of our many much loved pets. I hope you get a chance to check it out.....and BTW, I had to "borrow" a picture of a dog that looked like the dog in my story, but he looks exactly the same, right down to rubbing his belly in the grass!
Your book was amazing. It was the first book that I ever read that brought out every emotion. I laughed at every dog interprutation,became annoyed at Ms. Dominitrix and anxious to know what was going to happen to Jenny and delivering the baby. What surprised me the most was that this was the first book in my fourteen years of living that made me cry. I cried from the momment you were describing Marley's old aged symptoms-hips,deaf,etc.-to the last page of the book. It kind of reminded me of my first dog when she went blind and waited for me until I got back from my mom's house, and then passed the next morning. She passed Friday Oct.3,2003-so I understood where you were coming from at the end of the book. I enjoyed the way you wrote each sentence from the minute I opened the book. Reading this book inspired me even more to go into the writing field. Thank You so much for writing this wonderful book.
Rebecca Schlifer
I love it, great job--like always!
By the way, will it be printed on recycled paper? or will it be on audio?
Look forward to it, can't wait to start reading it.
Have a good week!
I like the cover, very artsy! Just please don't wait for more than a year again before releasing the paperback version - it was a very very long wait for me before I could buy a paperback copy of Marley and Me. I like to carry books everywhere I go, and hardcovers are just not practical for that.
Cheers!
Dear Mr Grogan.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos of Marley on your website.
Thank you, also, for the children's picture book, which I plan on using at preschool storytime this Wednesday. I know the children will really enjoy it, they love to hear stories about real animals. So you may be hearing from some of them, as I will give them your website.
Recently, I read Catie Copley, real dog in Boston, and gave them her email address, don't know if anyone wrote or heard back, but it is nice to share with these young readers.
Have a g'day.
Almira
Hello John!!
I'm from Brazil and I just finished reading your book yesterday. I laughed and cried a lot with marley. Your family have so much luck to have a wonderful and lovely person like you. And you all to shared specials moments with a incredible dog like marley. I love him, and now he lives in millions hearts around the world.
Dogs impact our lives in so many ways. Your book exposes the lives of naughty dogs and the owners that love them. I myself am a naughty dog lover, and thoroughly enoyed the book. You never know how much your dog impacted your life until they are gone. Thanks for the great read, cant wait for the next.
Nicole in Texas
Go Horns!
The cover is terrific.. love the picture and the dark green background. Very nice!
I just finished posting my beloved Ollie's story after reading Marley and Me. I have never laughed or cried as much as I did reading about Marley. Like Marley, Ollie would have dug to China to avoid thunder in fact he actually got himself and our shepard who was about six months old at the time stuck under the house for two days. My husband had to crawal on his stomach through the mud to get him out and no matter what we did he managed to find a new way to dig his way under the house when ever it rained and we weren't home to let him on the pourch or in the shop. He pulled the siding off the house, moved concret blocks I could barly pick up that went over previously dug holes. He was not going to be out in a storm period. We also brought him home for the final time in the royal blue bag our vet had given us. It was cool and a drizling rain had set in while my husband dug his final resting place just out side the fenced in yard he loved so much. I felt like you were telling our story even in Marley's death. Thank you so much for sharing Marley's story and helping so many to see that they are part of our family and yes Mans best friend. I look forward to reading your next book! Thanks again!!
dear john..
i read marley and me a few months ago, i wanted to read it in english eventhouh it's availble in hebrew (i'm from israel) and i thank you for writting the most impotent book a dog lover (like me)can read.. i love everything about it..
and i can't wait to read your new book.. and i think that the cover is fancy, yet, atractive..
i wish you and your family all the best.
ella (doda.lali@gmail.com)
p.s. i tell everyone i know to read all about marley!!
Dear John!
Thank you for sharing your stories with us. I've even read Marley & Me twice (cried both times) and I'm looking forward to your new book and to the movie (hope it's in the Dutch theatres as soon as possible). Funny coincidence is that we have a daughter called "Marlee"! I grew up on a farm and we had two black labradors (Pascha and Tubbs). One thing we know for sure now: next year, we'll start looking for a new addition to our household: a labrador puppy! He/she doesn’t know about it yet, but we’re going to call him/her “Boomer”.
Thanks again John!
Anita - Alkmaar, the Netherlands
I noticed that most of your fans on this blog are girls, even so... I just wanted to say that I am excited for your next book. The cover I think has character. I like it. My wife introduced "Marley and Me" to me about six months ago. I am usually not a huge reader but found your book both enjoyable and hilarious. It's voice was realistic and believable which I appreciated. Our little puppy dog is wild and at times when I feel like putting him outside forever, I remember Marley. The memories we get from these animals is worth it. Anyway, thanks for sharing your life with us readers.
From Utah,
Blake Taylor
The cover looks awesome! I am so excited to read your new book. I left my story about Bella on the Share your Stories page, but wanted to thank you again for the gift of Marley that you have given to us!