The Road to After

This powerful debut novel in verse is a portrait of healing, as a young girl rediscovers life and the soothing power of nature after being freed from an abusive father.

For years, Lacey has been a captive without even realizing it. Her dad rarely let her, or her sister and their mom, out of his sight. But this situation changes dramatically the day her grandparents arrive to help them break free. It’s the beginning of a different kind of life for Lacey, and at first she has a hard time letting go of her dad’s rules of what’s allowed. Gradually, though, his hold on her lessens, and her days become filled with choices she’s never had before. Now Lacey can take pleasure in satisfying her curiosity about nature’s details and rhythms. Being outside watching birds fly by or making things grow brings her joy, as does the freedom to wander and sketch in her nature journal whenever she likes. Learning to make friends proves to be a bit trickier—but soon she discovers there are rhythms for that, too, if she is willing to learn.

Rebekah Lowell’s poignant novel shows readers that it’s possible to find your own way no matter what soil you’ve been planted in, and that there is always time for life to blossom into something new and exciting.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs