Book Cover Junkie Interviews Historical Fiction Author George Almond

George Almond, the grandson of a Wyoming horse rancher, enjoys revisiting great adventures. Born in London and educated in France and Oxford University he has ridden horseback 1500 miles across Europe, worked for Calgary Stampede's Champion Chuck Wagon driver,  sailed two oceans with the world's most experienced square-rig sea captain, taken the Flying Scotsman steam train from Boston to Houston where he was hired by Neiman Marcus. These days Almond makes his home in Europe, working on other books, including one about Jack Rackham and his two lady pirates who formerly sailed the Caribbean, preying upon merchant vessels.

 Interview:

Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?

I was loaned a book about the original flight. It was an accurate but somewhat unimaginative record of events which I felt might merit a more dramatic account. I was then inspired by a friendly author who lived in the South Pacific where he wrote historical fiction for a living. He specialised in dramatising true stories for a wider readership so I followed his advice.

How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?

It came about by realising that the story involved just that - flying even higher than Everest. I did not start with that title but it seemed to fit the book when one of the characters said it.

Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? 

The cover design holds a good story. I found some of the original photos taken from the observer's cockpit when heading towards the mountain. At the time the altitude of the biplane was higher than the peak.

Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?

I found the designer at the bar of the Chelsea Arts Club in West London. She put the finishing touches to the image. 

What has been the readers’ response to your cover?

Everybody seems to like the cover! It is, after all, the pilot’s point of view! 

What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?

Talk to my designer Anthea Hall who understands how the elements of the story need to bounce off the cover page from the shelf of the bookshop or website. She has just designed the covers for my more recent books.

Anything else you’d like to say about your book?

And funnily enough, the 1933 expedition’s first office in London was very near the Chelsea Arts Club. It is highly probable the organisers popped in for the odd tipple. 

Even Higher Than Everest is available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Even-Higher-Than-Everest-Dramatised/dp/1782226249.