Reading · Terry Fallis - A Novel Journey

My eleventh novel, An End in Itself, will be published and in bookstores on November 3, 2026. As I know I’ve mentioned at least a few times in this space, this novel is a departure for me. Click here to read more about why this is true, in my earlier “Departures” post. Appropriately, the cover is also a departure. So here we go…

I know what you’re all thinking. This doesn't look anything like my other covers. You’re right. Here are my five most recent covers. They’re not all the same, but there’s clearly a thread of graphic continuity running through them.

Because An End in Itself is a somewhat different novel for me, my editor and team at McClelland & Stewart/Penguin Random House also wanted the cover to be different. And so did I.

A bit of insight about the cover. The snowflakes in the corners and the Christmas tree and gifts in the yellow glare of the overhead light reflect the holiday season. The novel is set in December, and the marketing idea—if it weren’t already obvious—is that we should capitalize on the retail bonanza of the holiday season. It’s possible that this novel, while residing on the fiction shelves in bookstores, might also be displayed closer to the checkout lane as a last minute impulse buy. So the imagery on the cover is intended to capture this “holidays” idea.

In the cover illustration, the seemingly parallel universe in which protagonist Malcolm Forde finds himself for most of the novel is captured in the inverted night time city skyline. I love the solitary illuminated window representing Malcolm’s habit of writing into the wee hours of the morning.

Overall, the design is “quieter” than my other covers, perhaps suggesting a slightly more literary tone. I hope this is reflected in the prose, but you, dear readers, will be the ultimate judge.

A reminder that An End in Itself is my first hardcover book, though it’s smaller physically (5.2” x 7.75”) as opposed to The Marionette (5.7” x 8.25”). And it’s my first “short” novel, coming in at about 45,000 words. Moreover, this is not really a comic novel, though there is some wry, gentle humour. Finally, it’s my first novel written in the third person. So all these “firsts” strongly suggested the need for a new-look cover to convey to the reader—particularly those who have read my other novels—that not only is the cover different, but the novel itself is different.

Here’s the full cover layout:

The final cover is quite close to the earlier working version. Matthew Flute, my longtime book designer is very good so it’s no surprise that there were really only a few design tweaks before we had the final version. Here’s the comparison below:

**(L) An earlier version of the cover next to (R) the final design.**

First of all, the green colour in the early version was changed to the lighter blue in the final version. As well, the final cover has the words “A NOVEL” and the blurb centrally positioned. Also, the light blue border lines and snowflakes are a little brighter in the final design. All wise decisions in my book—or “on my book” to be literal about it.

This novel is about a writer and the writing life. I understand that this topic may well be of greater interest to me than to readers, but I hope those who have enjoyed my earlier novels will still find a familiar and comfortable vibe in this one.

I was tempted to put an exclamation mark on this subheading, but I’m trying to restrain and contain myself when talking—or writing—about this. You know… just stay cool.

No writer has had a greater impact on me as a reader and a writer than John Irving. You can read about my reverence for him in several earlier posts, here, here, and here. It has been a great privilege over the last few years to meet John Irving and his wife, Janet, and to spend some time with them. Against this backdrop, it was a highlight of my writing life when John agreed to read my new manuscript, and a great thrill when he provided this blurb for my new novel. I have been very fortunate in my writing life, and no more so than in coming to know John Irving.

I am grateful beyond measure.

Yes, it’s true. An End in Itself is now available to preorder at your favourite independent bookstore, or at any of the online retailers both in Canada and the United States. As I’ve mentioned before in earlier posts, preorders are helpful and important for writers because all preorders are counted in the first week of sales. This really gives a new book a boost coming out of the gate and offers writers their best shot at cracking the bestsellers lists. So I humbly encourage you to preorder now if you plan to buy the book anyway. Thanks so much!

Preordering in Canada: