After that initial e-mail, I proceeded to spend the next week and a half working with the very talented cover artist Kelly Abell, in creating just the right cover for my novel. And let me tell you, it wasn't easy working with me, as I immediately started going off in all kinds of tangents with what I had wanted for a cover.
However, Ms. Abell was more than capable in harnessing and channelling the plethora of tangents into one coherent and lucid thought.
Starting with a basic scene of sand and surf, she managed to take all the snippets of plot points that I was throwing out with each successive e-mail, and create a series of covers that proceeded to inch closer and closer to not only what I wanted, but to what the book was about.
Last Saturday (4/28), after Ms. Abell did one last tweak, I was able to 100% approve the cover for my debut adult fantasy novel, Line 21 (please click on this link for a five page preview).
And in keeping with the quality of trouble that I seem to attract every spring, this cover will continue that excellent tradition of me attracting the wrong kind of attention at work to my extracurricular activities.
Sometimes, it really does takes a whole lot of hard work just to maintain the platinum persona that is me.
That must be a fun job - making book covers. I'm glad you had a good experience and got a cover you like.
ReplyDeleteDid you get to go on the model shoot?
ReplyDeleteLooks pretty cool, man. I like that a lot.
ReplyDeleteClever use of the bling chains I have to say. ;)
ReplyDeleteVery sensual :) Looks exciting!
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Oh, that cover will draw them in like bees to honey! Yowza!
ReplyDeleteLynn: I had a good time doing it and it was a fantastic learning experience.
ReplyDeleteBearman: That definitely would've been someting, eh? :D
Charles: Thanks.
I fell in love with the cover the instant that this particular image was used, so it was simply a matter of finding the proper setting to use.
Joe: Most definitely. It covers the key essentials quite tastefully. :D
Sarah: Thanks.
I was trying to with a mix of sensual and erotic, and I think this captures it quite well.
Debra: Absolutely.
Which is why I didn't show it to too many people at work this week.
I have to admit, if I saw that cover on a bookshelf, I would be quite intrigued... :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, this actually works better without Geoff.
ReplyDeleteLisa: Then I did my job correctly, for a change.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest with you, if I saw that cover on a bookshelf, I would be intrigued enough to pick it up myself.
R: Thanks.
Geoff really is a secondary character of sorts in the novel, so I really wanted the focus to be on Jeannie and Aissa.
It is quite eye-catching, i must say. I dont know what people would expect when they picked it up, but any surprise is a good surprise, right?
ReplyDeleteCatherine: Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, to a degree, any surprise is a good surprise.
And eye catching is definitely what I was shooting for with this cover.
The story is quite sexual and I wanted the cover to catch the essence of that particular kind of sexuality.
Definitely catches the eye, nicely done. I am also a tad hard to work with when I get my covers done, but when you find someone who does them great, it works out.
ReplyDeletePat: Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time that I've actually worked with someone to create a cover, so this was a brand new experience for me. And I definitely agree that if you find someone who can do them great, it's the best thing in the world.