New Cover Design!

No big article this time, really I just want to share updates on the publishing process. After much back-and-forth with Casemate’s graphics team, we have settled on a new cover design.

For those wondering what’s up with the symbol, it is the greek letter “phi” which is commonly used to symbolize “philosophy,” typically in academic settings. The knife is a Ka-Bar which, besides looking really cool, is a metaphor for the Stoic concept of moral choice when applied as a philosophical razor, which I explain in the book.

I’m still not sure I like it better than the earlier design with the white background (below), but for some reason having to do with how it will appear in a catalog, the marketing team has decided against the white one.

I had always kinda envisioned a black background, but I think the concrete texture looks, well, solid.

In other publishing news, I’m now through the editing phase and into proofs and typesetting. Editing was interesting (no, I’m not going to replace “slave” with “enslaved person” in a book about Epictetus), but on the whole I got my way everywhere that I stood my ground and the book was improved by the editing process.

Also, for those who missed it, I found out a third party has purchased audio rights, meaning there will almost certainly be an audiobook, although I have no idea when.

Next step is to approve the second set of proofs, then I will have to make an index. Book still releases in November.

As always, this has all been the result of a supportive family and community, so I continue to be deeply grateful for the help and encouragement!