I have been very fortunate with cover art. As I've explained before, I--as with most authors--have no say in it. My editor now solicits my input as to who might be featured on it, that person's description, and what kinds of artifacts one might find lying about that person. I really appreciate that, as it might have avoided a few problems along the way.
Only two of my covers fall into the "ooh, I wish they hadn't done that" category. I'll leave it to the reader to speculate as to which two. A few years ago one those was featured on a "mock the cover" website with funny captions, along with a bunch of really sweaty romance covers. Oh, the humiliation!!
But today, that humiliation was redeemed...
...on a website reviewing covers for January 2011 releases. Here is the link. I fully agree with the reviewer's assessment. I'm sorry The Soul Mirror cover didn't make it in the female category. Maybe these were only for mass market pubs, and Anne's image will top the list in 2012.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Cover Redemption
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19 comments:
They are both really great covers. Can't wait to see the next one.
Congrats on the props!
I love the cover of The Spirit Lens. It's unusual to see such a nice cover with a guy on it. I'm eager to see the cover of the next one, especially since I know who the POV character is. :D
I'm hoping my male readers don't feel they're too "girly" to be seen reading...
I love cover art. It's why I want into art in the first place. Michel Whelan, Jody Lee, John Jude Palencar - I could go on - But yes a "bad" cover is disaster.
Covers can make or break a book and have the power to alter culture - who in America sees a shadowy T-rex skeleton and does NOT think of Jurassic Park (Chip Kidd).
Next time you are in a bookstore check out a "Spectrum" issue, the art is incredible!
As a male reader of your work, I am not the least bit turned-off by the covers (though I do admit to finding the Soul Mirror cover more appealing). I proudly purchased it at B&N this weekend.
I am also happy they you are continuing to write in the first-person. I thoroughly enjoy this perspective, as it feels more--personal. In a sea of multiple perspectives (though also enjoyable), I find first-person more engaging, intimate & challenging.
Have you always preferred this method?
Congrats on the cover review! What I've loved about both covers so far is that the designer seems to have gone the extra mile to find the perfect model for each book - proof that editors should listen to their authors more often in order to get the little touches right!
Not only are the physical characteristics exactly right (which is something a surprising number of designers get wrong), but something of the personality of the character also comes through.I loved Portier the moment I saw him (hard not to, really), but only fully appreciated the Soul Mirror cover once I'd got to know Anne a little bit. At first glance she looks rather timid, but as you look closer you see the determination just under her surface. Perfect echo of her character development.
Tell the designer to keep up the excellent work; like Rabia, I can't wait to see the next one!
Writing in first person has always been the way I've found my way inside my hero/heroine's head. I agree, entropyrulez, that it's just more intimate (though sometimes more difficult!) When I look on my shelf of favorite reads, from The Crystal Cave to Thomas the Rhymer to Dick Francis's Sid Halley mysteries to Len Deighton's Bernie Samson spy novels, I've always preferred first person.
Oh, yes, and I'm happy you like the covers!
Oh, yes, Antiquarian, John Jude Palencar. One of his covers REALLY should have been the cover of Breath and Bone.
And, Lady K, I agree with you entirely about the models. I'm hoping he does something equally fine for the third!
Carol, who is the cover artist (designer?) for the Collegia Magica books?
The cover artist is Gordon Crabb.
Ooh, congrats on the cover props, Carol! :D I agree that the style of the Collegia Magica covers has been fantastic and definitely caught my eye in the SFF section at the bookstore. I'm guessing my beloved Transformation was the poor cover that got trashed on the mock-the-cover site? :( I'm really not a fan of that cover either (okay, honestly, I hate it. I had to slap a book cover on it because I refused to believe that ugly muscle man with the green marshmallow wings was Seyonne). Which is such a shame because I treasure that book like nobody's business. If only Transformation could be reissued in hardcover with the glorious, beautiful cover it deserves...
Hello there,
This is a inquiry for the webmaster/admin here at textcrumbs.blogspot.com.
May I use some of the information from this post right above if I give a backlink back to this website?
Thanks,
James
Congrats on scoring some rave reviews on cover art!!! :)
I love these covers! The Breath & Bone/Flesh & Spirit covers were great, but these are awesome!
By the way, I totally blame you for keeping me up last night finishing The Soul Mirror - it was just impossible to put down! Now I am my 2nd cup of coffee.
Can't wait for the next book! Which I hope has a lot of Ilario!
The cover art is astounding. It is interesting to read that "The Crystal Cave" is on your shelf of favorite reads, as that series, along with yours, are on MY shelf of favorite reads.
Hello there,
Thanks for sharing this link - but unfortunately it seems to be down? Does anybody here at textcrumbs.blogspot.com have a mirror or another source?
Thanks,
Peter
@James Contact me via email to tell me what you wish to use. Thanks for asking!
@votermom Happy to hear I kept you up!! I'm sure you're recovered by now.
Yes, Mary Stewart's Merlin books are wonderful. I read a lot of her romantic suspense when I was teenager/college age. Someday I'm going to read it again to see if it's still as enjoyable.
@Peter Link seems to be working right now.
Hi Carol, speaking of cover art, have you got any news about the new Song of the Beast cover? I'm dying to see what it looks like, and November is too far away...!
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