Provocative Book Cover Stirs Buzz - And Sales

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 26, 2009 – They say, “Never judge a book by its cover.”  But "Process of Elimination," the new political thriller by Robert Stricklin, is sparking controversy not only for its provocative plot but also its eyebrow-raising jacket – and apparently boosting sales as a result.

“Recently, a friend of mine jokingly asked if the Secret Service had paid me a visit yet,” notes Stricklin, eluding to the cover that features  a photo of the façade of the White House – with a rooftop American flag at half-mast – caught in the telescopic sights of a high-powered weapon.

“That was my idea,” Stricklin acknowledges. “I was merely suggesting artwork that conveyed the basic scenario of the book, which deals with the vetting of a suitable nominee following the untimely demise of the Vice President of the United States amid a conspiracy to influence the President’s decision and undermine the administration.”

However, in a post-911 era, where presidential security has become a sensitive concern, some armchair book critics and Internet bloggers are questioning the appropriateness of the image, if not claiming that it stokes the hysteria of anti-Obama activists.

Stricklin scoffs at the notion. “It’s just fiction with no subliminal messages,” he says, adding, “I think it’s the combination of the book’s title and cover that is creating that false impression among some casual observers. I had a similar experience with my first novel, "A Necessary Evil." The cover depicted a firearm and a pile of money. With that title, a lot of people thought it was a pro-gun manifesto when, in fact, it was a crime thriller. And yet, the National Rifle Association included the book in their online catalogue.”

And yet, the controversy certainly hasn’t hurt book sales. Since the chatter began, "Process of Elimination" has seen a significant increase in orders from retailers and distributors, and its ranking on Amazon.com has steadily increased.  With the hardcover edition on the brink of becoming a breakout bestseller, plans are in the works to release a paperback edition next year and for the shopping of film rights.

“I guess Brendan Behan was right,” says Stricklin. “’There’s no such thing as bad publicity …’ Of course, I’d prefer that the book’s success be based solely on its merits.  But writers can’t be choosers.”

Published by Outskirts Press, "Process of Elimination” (ISBN 978-1432741013) is available in bookstores, at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and other online booksellers, or at the OutskirtsPress.com bookstore.  

For more information, visit the author’s webpage at Outskirtspress.com/processofelimination