Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle

Although I'd like to take credit for this beautiful cover, it was designed by award-winning graphic artist, Nathalie Moore who designed all the covers for my books.

I'm absolutely thrilled with the way it turned out and was asked for my input in advance. The only thing I requested was a mysterious castle. It's better than I even imagined and I love the rich color, too.

I couldn't ask for a better representation of the story, "Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle."

The "Cynthia's Attic" series can be purchased on Amazon/Amazon Kindle, Fictionwise, and Mary Cunningham Books

Splinters: The Pain, The Passion, The Point

My first book, "Splinters: The Pain, The Passion, The Point" was published in March 2009. The book, as the cover relates (I hope!), is an anthology of stories from my life as a female woodworker.

I've recently been notified that the book will be featured in an upcoming release by Harper Collins called, "The New Big Book of Layouts" in May 2010. You can find out more about my book on my site at www.SplintersBook.com Please see my answers to your questions below:


Did you design the cover? The cover of my book was designed by my publishing company. However, I must admit that the publishing company that published my book is actually owned by my granddaughter. I must say that love for books runs in the family. I write them and she publishes and designs.

Did your publisher design the cover? Yes, though my granddaughter (owner of Paige1Publishing acts as Creative Director on most books, she personally designed my book cover.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Yes, we had several extensive discussions about the book cover and the specific angle that I wanted to convey.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. Just what I've already shared. The book has one an award for design and will be featured in an upcoming Design book by Harper Collins publishing called "The Big Book of Layout and Design" to be released in May of 2010.

Who is the cover artist? JP Jones

Are you happy with the cover? Yes. I love it and have received many compliments on it. I feel it definitely gets the reader's attention.

If not, what would you change and why?

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. The way it conveys immediately that the book is based around "wood"—and the simplicity of that.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Please provide your website link. www.splintersbook.com

What is the link to buy your book? On my Web site.

Inspiration Divine Book Cover

Did you design the cover?
No, Inspiration Divine's cover was designed by Joy Hart.

Did your publisher design the cover?
No, I'm self publishing.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
Absolutely, Joy and I collaborated on several potential covers and refined the design to what is the final version. We went through twenty-one revisions until the final cover as ready for publication.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.
In addition to the book, I conduct Inspiration Workshops that are based on the teachings of Inspiration Divine. Essentially the workshops are an experiential way to explore the concepts put forth in the book. At the end of every workshop, we ask the students to provide us with one word (written on an index card) that represents what the workshop is for them. My cover designer incorporated these words written by the students in their own handwriting into the front cover of the book.

Rather than boldly making these words the focus on the cover, she blended them into the background color of the book. I think this makes for a much more interesting design and provides something to catch the eye of the reader.

Joy also incorporated a lot of symbolism into the cover design:

• Inspiration Divine is a Mind, Body Spirit title and the three candles on the front represent the Body, Spirit and Mind.
• There are dots above the "i" characters in the word inspiration representing the Body, Spirit and Mind but not above the word divine (indicating that the Body, Spirit and Mind came from God).
  

Who is the cover artist?
Joy Hart,

www.heyjoy.com

Are you happy with the cover?
I love it! Joy did an excellent job of incorporating the message of Inspiration Divine into the cover design.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.
The iD logo is an excellent branding element that can tie the book to other promotional tools that I'll use in workshops, on the website and related products.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.
We spent a lot of time tuning the spine. One thing I noticed is that libraries paste classification stickers on the bottom half of the book before shelving the book. Thus I wanted to make sure that the title of the book on the spine didn't appear on the lower half of the book. Of course, there is no guarantee that future librarians won't plaster a stick on the top but I still think it is worth it.

You'll notice on the back cover that we incorporated a 2-dimensional barcode above the ISBN. While this hasn't become a retail standard, I noticed that more and more smartphones (e.g. iPhone, Google Android, etc.) have 2-D barcode scanning applications built-in and thus this is designed to facilitate referrals from one reader to another.

We broke with tradition and put my first name (Darwin) on the spine rather than my last name (Stephenson). While many traditionalists will balk at this, we felt that my first name was more memorable and ties into the evolutionary theme of the book (e.g. connection to Charles Darwin).

Please provide your website link.
http://www.inspirationdivine.com

What is the link to buy your book?
http://tinyurl.com/iDBuyNow

Darwin Stephenson

Crossing 13 by Carrie Stark Hugus

Did you design the cover? No.

Did your publisher design the cover? No, my printer designed the cover.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Yes.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. Yes, I wanted a fall setting since the setting of the story begins on October 13. I also suggested the picture of a bridge to represent “crossing.”

Are you happy with the cover? Yes and no.

If not, what would you change and why? The primary market is teens and I don’t think the cover is attracting that market.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. The fall leaves. Fall is a strong metaphor for my book; representing change, death, transformation and the actual month the story takes place.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share. The title CROSSING 13 represents the date, October 13, and the age I was, 13-years-old, when my father died from suicide.

Please provide your website link. www.affirmpublications.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-13-Carrie-Stark-Hugus/dp/0981593801/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250194046&sr=8-1

Thank you for the opportunity!

Carrie Stark Hugus

Bestselling Author, CROSSING 13: MEMOIR OF A FATHER'S SUICIDE

2009 EVVY Award-Winning Merit Book

info@affirmpublications.com

www.affirmpublications.com

Tia's Red Dress by Marina Cross

We want you to share your book cover with us. An attractive cover is a big element in the appeal of your book.

We want the details about yours. This is the cover of my new erotic interacial romance, Tia's Red Dress.

Did you design the cover?

No. But a wonderful young lady, Missy Lyons did.

Did your publisher design the cover?

Yes, Missy Lyons is one of Red Rose publishing's great cover artist.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?

I think it was a team effort to put the cover together. Although, I did have input into it's creation.

Who is the cover artist?

Missy Lyons, artist and author in her own right.

Are you happy with the cover?

Yes, I thought it turned out very well.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.

I like the way Tia and Scott are staring into each others eyes.

What is the link to buy your book?
http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=571

Demon's Torment by Rachel D Thompson

Did you design the cover?
I chose the art that was used, but a good friend of mine chose the fonts.

Did your publisher design the cover?
Sort of--it was more of a joint effort

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
Yes, I submitted the image this time around and it works perfectly for the book.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.
This is the cover art I originally chose for the paperback copy of the book. I was lucky enough that my publisher was willing to use it for the e-book version as well, because I just love the image.

Who is the cover artist?
Anastasia Rabyiah

Are you happy with the cover?
Yes, very much

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.
I love the whole thing.

Please provide your website link.
http://www.racheldthompson.com

What is the link to buy your book?
http://purplesword.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=22

~Rachel D Thompson~
Buy Demon's Torment!
Ebook
Print
Visit me on the web:
www.racheldthompson.com
www.racheldthompson.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/racheldthompson/
www.myspace.com/racheldthompson

Pangasm

The cover for panGasm was an original mixed medium painting by a deceased friend of mine, Michael Abbey. I have self published this book and chose the image myself because it represents the principle of panGasm perfectly. The principle of panGasm introduces the Divine Feminine Principle of Dark Matter, and here She is holding the Earth in her hand. As well, panGasm uses ancient text and pyramid inscriptions to merge modern scientific discovery to validate the Star-Gate of 2012 as the beginning of a New Age. The Mayan Pyramids behind the image of the Dark Mistress represent the time tables demonstrated by pyramids around the world and feature a maze in the forefront as an image indicating mankind's evolutionary progress. Since panGasm is introducing a revolutionary Sexual Ethic for the New Age, I felt as though the nude image of a mysterious woman would be a great magnet that would pull readers to it, and it is proving itself as such. This book is available at lulu.com/pangasm, I hope you want to know more.

Thank you for the great blog idea, I had wanted to share a little about the selection process for my book cover and will tell more about the story of how this image came to be available to me as a result of the passing of a friend of mine, if there is stated interest about hearing this story; it is a little long-winded to add to this blurb. Mahalo for your aloha

Lucas and his Long Loopy Laces

Did you design the cover?
I did the layout of the front and back covers, but I did not create
the cover illustration.

Did your publisher design the cover?
Technically, I am the publisher!

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
I worked with my wonderful illustrator, Cody Frusher. We tried a couple of options before we settled on this one.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please
share the details.
At first we tried using normal text for the title, but we quickly
realized that since the laces were the highlight of the story, it only
made sense to feature them in the title text.

Who is the cover artist?
Cody Frusher, the book's illustrator, also did the cover illustration.

Are you happy with the cover?
I love the cover!

If not, what would you change and why?
Absolutely nothing.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.
The book itself has black and white pen illustrations, and the only
color is Lucas' laces as they tangle around everything he meets. Not
only does the cover hint what the book is about, but by being black
and white with simple line illustrations, I think it really stands out
on the book shelf.

Please provide your website link.
http://www.talltailspublishing.com

What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.talltailspublishing.com/books.php
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982351909

--
Krystal Russell
Tall Tails Publishing House
info@talltailspublishing.com
http://www.talltailspublishing.com

Book Cover Art for Night & Day by Sherrie Hansen

Did you design the cover?

In part - I provided photos of three different quilts for the publisher's creative design team to choose from. I also selected the lettering.

Did your publisher design the cover?

Yes. They selected the quilt and adapted it to use on the cover.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?

Yes, in addition to providing the photo, I had final approval.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.

I designed and choose the colors and fabrics for the quilt on the cover of "Night and Day" for one of the guest rooms at my bed and breakfast, The Blue Belle Inn B&B and Tea House in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Each of my rooms is named after a children's story - this one is called "On the Banks of Plum Creek" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It's a log cabin design, and matches the colors of the room, which are blue and plum.

Who is the cover artist?

Tracy Beltran, Second Wind Publishing

Are you happy with the cover?

I love it!

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.

The main character in my book, Jensen Marie Christiansen, is a designer of quilts. Her most prized possession is a quilt made by her Great-grandmother, Maren Jensen. My sentimental hero, Anders Westerlund, still sleeps under a quilt made by his mother when the weather gets chilly. It's their sentimental natures that draw them together on the internet, and keep them apart, since she's in Minnesota and he's in Denmark. I think the warm colors and homespun design of the quilt are eye-catching and perfect for the plot.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

My husband took the photo, and is proud of his contribution.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/NightandDay.html

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/

OR

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Day-Sherrie-Hansen/dp/1935171283/

White Hare's Lament by Bryn Colvin

Are you happy with the cover?

Very much so. I love the moodiness. It conveys the atmosphere of the story without giving anything away.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.

I think it’s very well designed.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

It wasn’t remotely what I’d envisaged, but when I saw it, I thought it was perfect.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.brynneth.org.uk

http://www.myspace.org/brynneth_n_colvin

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=26&products_id=349&zenid=853cfe4236a8e41e78d726ad01b7c5f7

Peter Carrot Top by Yolanda Jackson

Hi my name is Yolanda Jackson,

I wrote the book Peter Carrot-top

www.YolandaJackson.com

I designed the cover myself, but had a 3d artist clean up the rough edges

I am happy with the cover

I wish that I could have more slime instead of the green mist

I like the way Peter is looking back at the spider that's my favorite

I wanted a custom cover, not the same old templates so that's why I hired Terry and he is the best

book is avaiable at www.amazon.com Barns and Noble

link to buy the book is http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Carrot-Top-Search-8th-Key/dp/1598249673

Who Will Win Nora's Soul by Margay Leah Justice

Did you design the cover?
No, I didn't design the cover.

Did your publisher design the cover?
No.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
Yes, I gave some ideas for it.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.

Well, I had this image in my head of three people - Nora, of course, Peter (the light angel) and Dante (the dark angel) - but it was difficult to find just the right pictures to convey the tone I wanted. Finally, I just told the cover designer that if it was easier to use symbolism to convey the nature of the book, do that instead. The result was the angel wing cover design that is on the book.

Who is the cover artist?

Stacy Castanedo

Are you happy with the cover?

Very much so. I love it!


Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.

The way she cast a white wing in black shadow and a black wing in white - it perfectly conveys the essence of the story.


Please provide your website link.

http://margayleahjustice.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Noras-Soul-Margay-Justice/dp/1935171216/


--
Margay Leah Justice

http://margayleahjustice.com/

Shattered Reality by Kimberly Cheryl

Did you design the cover? Yes, I designed the cover myself

Did your publisher design the cover? NO

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Yes

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? The cover design was put together with the input of friends and family. I wanted something that would depict the many feelings that overwhelm our lives when confronted with the issue of child sexual assault. As the parent of a child who's been molested, I found that my world was falling apart yet there wasn't much in the way of resources for secondary survivors. I wanted other parents to know that their feelings of hopelessness and despair were natural. That, with time and the proper help, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may not be what we want as far as justice from our judicial system which also brings it's own heartache of betrayal but there is healing and strength that can be found.

Who is the cover artist? I am

Are you happy with the cover? Yes

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. The cover shows the feelings that are found within the book.

Please provide your website link. http://www.kimberlycheryl.net and http://www.myshatteredreality.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Reality-Kimberly-Cheryl/dp/1440404593

Postmarked Baltimore by Jeff leJeune

Did you design the cover? No

Did your publisher design the cover? Yes

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Not much; none given taken.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. The story is about a priest who gets a letter from a former love. The gift-look is twofold: 1) her letter and love is a gift to him; and 2) the priesthood gave him a pretty facade religiously, but inside is where the gift is, and he doesn't open that gift of his manhood until the letter comes fifteen years after he leaves her.

Who is the cover artist? Brandon Bittner

Are you happy with the cover? Yes, but only because anyone that offers an opinion says it makes them want to open it and read it. I guess that's the point.

If not, what would you change and why? I love the utter simplicity of the current cover; that is a part of its charm. I did want, however, the element of an envelope and a stamp to be utilized on the cover.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. It's simplicity and its allure to make someone want to open it.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Please provide your website link. www.thefinalchase.com ; www.storiesbyjefflejeune.wordpress.com

Valentine Express by Cricket Sawyer

Did you design the cover? no

Did your publisher design the cover? The Publisher Karen Syed of Erotique designed my cover and I couldn't be happier.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? I did have input, but it was Karen's clever adaptation that captured the essence of this short novella in the cover graphic.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.

Who is the cover artist? Karen Syed publisher of Echlon and Erotique books

Are you happy with the cover? Delightfully so!

If not, what would you change and why? Absolutely nothing.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. Well, it's a valentine's day story - and she did it in a red velvet look with a heart cutout super emposed over what could be a lover's kiss

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Warmed by a cloud of steam and enticed by fragrances of the past mingling with the present, Carrie finds herself drowning in a sea of erotic nostalgia. Remembering each pair of excited hands caressing her skin, teasing her into waves of pleasure, she revisits the sensuality of her youth. But no matter how ardent the memories, nothing will give her greater pleasures than the ecstasy yet to come.

Please provide your website link. www.cricket-sawyer.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://tinyurl.com/222tt5

Pattern of Vengeance by C Hyytinen

We want you to share your book cover with us. An attractive cover is a big element in the
appeal of your book.

We want the details about yours.

Did you design the cover? Yes. I told Karen exactly what I wanted and she delivered. I was shocked as to how perfect it fit my specifications.

Did your publisher design the cover? No, but she was very agreeable to what I wanted.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Yes. I wanted the Minneapolis skyline with crime scene tape embossed over the top.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.

Who is the cover artist? Nathalie Moore

Are you happy with the cover? I love it. I love it. I love it.

If not, what would you change and why?

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. I like the fact that I recognize the buildings. And the rolling grey clouds depict Minnesota quite well. J

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Please provide your website link. http://www.chyytinen.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Vengeance-C-Hyytinen/dp/1590805208/

C. Hyytinen

Pattern of Violence (ISBN: 978-1-59080-278-6)

Pattern of Vengeance (ISBN: 978-1-59080-520-6)

http://www.echelonpress.com

http://www.chyytinen.com

Happened in Florence by Erin Aislinn

Did you design the cover?

It Happened in Florence cover was designed by Nathalie Moore for my publisher Echelon Press.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?

This was my first novel to get published, so I had no idea how the cover process worked and if I would have any say about it. Fortunately, I had some idea about what I wanted and Echelon Press team did what it could to make it happen.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.

This is the second version of the cover. Because of technical complications, the original cover had to be redone, and even though I had to reprint much of my promo materials, the new cover actually captures the heart of the novel better than the old one. I was also impressed by Nathalie Moore’s efforts to make the new cover as similar to the original as possible.

If not, what would you change and why?

In a world where authors get exactly the cover they dreamed of, I’d like to see the hero and heroine added to the image. Jennifer would be playing the cello, and James would be holding her from behind.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.

I definitely wanted the cover to capture one prominent Florence attraction, either the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, or Michelangelo’s David, or the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and I was happy to see the cover artist incorporated the Ponte Vecchio bridge in the background. Because the Medieval bridge over the Arno was a big part of the inspiration for the novel, it’s a great to see it play a vital role in the cover.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

People often ask about the cello leaning against the tree because music is not mentioned in the back cover blurb. Although the heroine is a world famous architect, music is a vital part of her life as well as the catalyst for her romance with James. They come together intimately for the first time after James witnesses Jennifer playing the cello under the willow tree.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.erinaislinn.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590802365/cornelpetric

http://www.erinaislinn.com

Bloody Halls by Carl Brookins

We want you to share your book cover with us. An attractive cover is a big element in the appeal of your book.

We want the details about yours.

Did you design the cover?
Nope.  I write books and make photographs and do television.  I don't have the talent
to do graphic design.

Did your publisher design the cover?
Yes, or to be specific she had an artist do it.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
Absolutely

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the
details.
You notice the central piece is a traditional cap and tassel?  For years the
graduating students at the college which is the focus of this mystery did not wear
caps and gowns at graduation.  It was a very non-traditional college. In fact, there
was no campus at all.  That's all changed over the years, but I find it interesting
(to me at least) that the novel is about a period before the C&G became a normal
experience for the graduates.

Who is the cover artist?
Gee, I don't think I ever knew, but I'm sure my publisher at Echelon Press knows her
name.

Are you happy with the cover?
Very

If not, what would you change and why?
The printed cover has a blurb.  I like the blurb but I prefer the cover without it.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.
The color scheme is eye-catching.  I always like covers with a lot of white.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Please provide your website link.
www.carlbrookins.com

What is the link to buy your book?
Independent bookstores all over the place, Amazon, B&N.com, Borders, Books a Million

Please send me a copy of your cover along with your answers so the blog readers can
see your cover and read your thoughts.


Carl Brookins
www.carlbrookins.com
Old Silver, The Case of the Greedy Lawyers
Bloody Halls

The Inferno Collection

The Inferno Collection, is a romantic suspense mystery novel published by Five Star/Gale in hardcover June 20, 2007.

I originally got the idea for the novel when I was working on my Masters Degree in Library Science. A Princeton librarian spoke to us about unique inferno collections. His lecture was so fascinating and vivid that I was inspired to do further research. I became convinced the concept of inferno collections would be an excellent frame for a mystery novel. Libraries such as Boston Public at one time found it necessary to maintain separate inferno collections of banned books considered inappropriate for general public display and reading. Often these were books deemed salacious such as James Joyce’s Ulysses.

When the artist for the cover art e-mailed me, she wasn't certain what to do. So we worked together. I suggested something sinister and gothic, appropriate for a murder mystery. She came up with the cover art you see. Since the novel is set at a university library with an academic librarian acting as amateur sleuth, I thought the image appropriate.

This book can be ordered for a generous discount on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1594145768/ref=nosim/speculativefic05

Scott Zema - Three Steps to Investment Success

Did you design the cover?
I provided the cover photo and my website designer designed the cover.

Are you happy with the cover?
No...could be splashier in hindsight. But I feel my book is a project in evolution, everything from cover to content, until I get it right. Try doing that easily with traditional published editions!

Is there anything else about your cover we need to know?
I wanted to convey some impression of the kinds of properties I discuss in my book and use them as a rich backdrop for the titile and my name.

Please provide your website link.
www.arklimited.com

What is the link to buy your book?www.arklimitedpublishing.com