Walking Man

I didn't design the cover.

My publisher hired a designer and photographer.

I didn't have any input on the design.

Not really any interesting story. The photograph is the photographer's first published photo. He self-photographed his feet with a extension shutter control. He said it's really embarrassing stuff and he'll only do it when he's alone.

Cover designer is Kevin Greenblat of Austin, TX.

Photographer is Matthew Fraser of Clarksville, AR.

Yes, I'm happy with the cover. The original self-published book had a picture of me and my family on the front cover, but honestly, I looked like I had just seen a ghost, so I'm pleased with this change.

One thing I wonder about this cover is if it holds enough to keep the attention of the browser. Seems too simple.

I love the river rocks and the lace treatment around the title. The designer created that for this book and he calls it Andean lace, which is fitting because my book is about life in the Andes Mountains.

Visit me on the Web at www.walkingman.ws; there is a link to "Buy the Book" on my homepage.

Ebony by Toni LoTempio

Did you design the cover? - NO

Did your publisher design the cover? - YES

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. - NO

Who is the cover artist? - Nancy Donohue

Are you happy with the cover? - Not particularly

If not, what would you change and why? - I would remove the voodoo doll.

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

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

Please provide your website link. - www.freewebs.com/toni1953

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

Remote Control by Cynthia Polansky

Did you design the cover? no

Did your publisher design the cover? yes, with a graphic designer

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. cover design is a "puppet on a string" to reflect the manipulation some of the characters perform over other characters. the bright, cheerful colors reflect the chick-lit genre.

Who is the cover artist? Nathalie Moore

Are you happy with the cover? extremely

If not, what would you change and why?

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. the bright, appealing colors

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share. the sky-blue shade draws people because the image of the sky is open and inviting

Please provide your website link. www.cynthiapolansky.com

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

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

---------------
FAR ABOVE RUBIES by Cynthia Polansky
an inspiring true story of survival and courage
www.cynthiapolansky.com
www.cynthiapgallagher.com

Lightning Days by Colin Harvey

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

It wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that the cover almost designed itself. My publisher and I were talking generally about cover artists, and I had long been a huge fan of Duncan Long’s (I hadn’t realized for just how long until I looked at the date on the gallery; barely a month after Strange Horizons started, and over seven years ago now…) so when Dindy asked if there was anyone I wanted included in the bidding process, I named him.

When the sample cover turned up – and we hadn’t given any briefing to any of the four artists, just asked for samples of their work – it was spooky; the cover was almost exactly what I’d been visualizing in a very vague sort of way.

So we told Duncan some of the key points of the book, and he changed one of the skulls to a Neanderthal shape, while keeping the other as Homo Sapiens. The star got changed to a portal. OK, so it looks like the wormhole from DS9, but how would you go about representing a rent in the fabric of space-time? Finally, Duncan included some lightning and some James-Bond-type people to represent the hero and heroine, and hey presto! one cover.

Are you happy with the cover?

Very! I forget how much I liked it, until I sat down and looked at it again. That’s the thing about the familiar; it loses its impact until you look at it anew.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.geocities.com/colin_harvey

What is the link to buy your book?

In paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Days-Colin-Harvey/dp/1934041106/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195632943&sr=1-1

In electronic format:

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook47461.htm

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

Novels from Swimming Kangaroo Books:

Lightning Days -- SF, Finalist for the USA Book News Awards

The Silk Palace -- "compelling" Library Journal

"Intrigues, betrayals, murders, love affairs, transformations, and

revelations," Bruce Boston, author of The Guardener's Tale

www.geocities.com/colin_harvey www.myspace.com/colin_harvey

Cover of the Year - Asking for Your Vote

I just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)

I invite you to visit http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.

If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)

Nikki


Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE
www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm
"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"
Would you like information about the newest
blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion

A Death in Pilsen by Robert Goldsborough

The cover I'm writing about is for my recently published mystery novel A DEATH IN PILSEN, which is the third in my "Snap"Malek Chicago historical mystery series.

I did not design the cover, nor did my publisher. It was
done by Nathalie Moore, who creates many of Echelon's
covers. I did not have any initial input on the cover,
although it was run by me for approval, which I gave with
unconditional enthusiasm. I love the treatment, because to
me it captures the Noir mood of my story, which is set in
1940s Chicago. I particularly like the stark black-and-white
effect, with the accented use of red on the murder knife.

My Website is www.robertgoldsborough.com

My book, and the other books in this series, THREE STRIKES
YOU'RE DEAD and SHADOW OF THE BOMB, can be ordered through
www.echelonpress.com or through amazon.com


    

Far Above Rubies by Cynthia Polansky

Did you design the cover? no

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? If so, please share the details. not really. it is just intended to reflect the protagonist. Also, the field of wheat/grasses is intended to show the promise of renewal and growth. Protagonist is standing in this field, looking out ahead, toward the future.

Who is the cover artist? Gwyn Snider

Are you happy with the cover? extremely
Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. the warm colors

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share. all I know is that it draws many compliments from people.

Please provide your website link. www.cynthiapolansky.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.amazon.com (or any bookstore can order it)

Far Above Rubies by Cynthiz Polansky

Did you design the cover? no

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? If so, please share the details. not really. it is just intended to reflect the protagonist. Also, the field of wheat/grasses is intended to show the promise of renewal and growth. Protagonist is standing in this field, looking out ahead, toward the future.

Who is the cover artist? Gwyn Snider

Are you happy with the cover? extremely
Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. the warm colors

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share. all I know is that it draws many compliments from people.

Please provide your website link. www.cynthiapolansky.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.amazon.com (or any bookstore can order it)

Surviving Serendipity by Jacquelyn Sylvan

Did you design the cover? No, I'm not that talented!

Did your publisher design the cover? They hired someone to design it.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Only to say, "Yes, yes, YES!" to the proof.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. The pocketwatch on the cover is a very artfully veiled reference to an important storyline element...you'll have to read the book to find out, though!

Who is the cover artist? Nathalie Moore.

Are you happy with the cover? Couldn't be happier. It sums up the book very subtly and artistically.

If not, what would you change and why? I wouldn't change a thing. It's perfect!

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. I really like how the eyes draw you in...it's a very eye-catching (hee hee) cover.

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

Please provide your website link. www.sylvaniamania.com

What is the link to buy your book? The book is available from Amazon - www.amazon.com. You can also ask your local Barnes and Noble or Borders to order it for you, if it's not on the shelf!

Surviving Serendipity by Jacquelyn Sylvan

Did you design the cover? No, I'm not that talented!

Did your publisher design the cover? They hired someone to design it.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Only to say, "Yes, yes, YES!" to the proof.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. The pocketwatch on the cover is a very artfully veiled reference to an important storyline element...you'll have to read the book to find out, though!

Who is the cover artist? Nathalie Moore.

Are you happy with the cover? Couldn't be happier. It sums up the book very subtly and artistically.

If not, what would you change and why? I wouldn't change a thing. It's perfect!

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. I really like how the eyes draw you in...it's a very eye-catching (hee hee) cover.

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

Please provide your website link. www.sylvaniamania.com

What is the link to buy your book? The book will be available January 15; I'll be providing a direct link from my website to my book's page on Amazon as soon as it's available. You can also ask your local Barnes and Noble or Borders to order it for you, if it's not on the shelf!

Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket by Mary Cunningham

Did you design the cover?

No. My publisher and graphic artist came up with the design

Did your publisher design the cover?

Publisher and graphic artist

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

Yes! My publisher and I made the final decision.

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

The original girl on the cover was said to look too young for a YR book...too baby-faced. The artist submitted several other pictures of older-looking girls but I didn't like any of them. My publisher (Karen Syed) finally got the idea to lengthen the picture to take some of the babyish elements out of the face. It worked! She also moved the picture so that only one eye was showing and just a small upturn of the mouth. I think it looks very mysterious and striking.

Who is the cover artist?

Nathalie Moore

Are you happy with the cover?

Extremely! The cover has attracted a lot of attention and was even "cover of the month" and up for "cover of the year" on an online site.

If not, what would you change and why?

N/A

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

I love the picture of the girl and the way it's placed on the cover, the Cynthia's Attic font, and the richness of the color (green). It really stands out on bookshelves.

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

Most people generally don't notice but Nathalie Moore added the face of a grandfather clock to the top half. This signifies the time-travel element in the book.

Please provide your website link.

www.marycunninghambooks.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590804414/

Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou by Mary Cunningham

Did you design the cover?

No, but I submitted ideas.

Did your publisher design the cover?

Publisher and graphic artist

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

Yes! I was asked to submit ideas about how I envisioned the cover.

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

Since "Curse of the Bayou" centers around a pirate curse and lost treasure, a treasure chest spilling over with doubloons seemed natural.

Who is the cover artist?

Nathalie Moore

Are you happy with the cover?

Extremely!

If not, what would you change and why?

N/A

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

I love the treasure chest with the light spilling out, Cynthia's Attic font, and the color. I love everything about it.

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

My publisher choose the color. She always envisioned purple for "Curse of the Bayou. The first two books in the series are green and red.

Please provide your website link.

www.marycunninghambooks.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Curse-Bayou-Cynthias-Mary-Cunningham/dp/1590805755

Hear The Wind Blow by Janelle Dakota

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? No, Echelon Press did.

Did your publisher design the cover? Yes.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? We talked about the colors used on the cover and the fact that we both wanted the dragon on it.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. The dragon comes from the story, but he's only inferred, so having the dragon on the cover really signifies the fantasy aspect of the story.

Who is the cover artist? Karen Syed.

Are you happy with the cover? Yes! Echelon covers are always spectacular, and I'm very pleased with the cover of HEAR THE WIND BLOW.

If not, what would you change and why?

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. The dragon - he's there but not wholly there, just as he is in the story. It's perfect.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share. The prairie signifies where the story takes place, specifically during a storm around the main character's childhood home. Reality shifts for Gwyn as the wind rages. The storm clouds on the cover, the dragon, the prairie; the combination of these three things places the reader immediately into the setting.

Please provide your website link. http://JanelleDakota.blogspot.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/JanelleDakotaeBooks.htm

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

PSI Blue by Robert Walker

The cover art for PSI Blue by Robert W. Walker, Echelon Press,was designed by my son, Stephen R. Walker who owns and operates his own Computer Graphics company SRWalkerdesigns.com. The choice of the cover was Stephen's once he read teh book, and it depicts the sort of twisting, confusing images that the main character, Rae Murphy Hiyakawa, half Asian, half Irish, and all psychically empowered woman gets when she goes on a psychic quest for answers to murder and mayhem. Rae is done in a Janet Evanovich tongue-in-cheek approach to a serial killer novel, so it is both humorous and ghastly at once and meant to be.

Personally, I feel the cover "covers" the story within, but it seems to be not so
appealing to others who are "confused" perhaps...as there are a lot of images and details to take
in at once.  Once a reader begins the story, I am told, they "get" the cover art.  I love the feel of it,
the look of it because it is vastly different from so many "simple" or straightforward covers, but that's
just me.  I wouldn't change anythiing about it save making it a bit lighter in color as the printers got it
darker than the original.  This was not the publisher's fault.

The novel is about the strange, mysterious world of real life psychics and based on one that I know;
picked her brain a great deal for details and character of the main lady at the helm of the ship PSI
Blue.  PSI Blue can be ordered via Amazon.com or at www.Echelonpress.com, and or on E-book
from www.FictionWise.com 

My website opens with an image of the cover and will guide you to my many other titles.  That is at
www.RobertWWalkerBooks.com

Dark Shines My Love by Alexis Hart

Dark Shines My Love is a special book to me. It is the first interracial story I have written, though, that is my background. This book has been through a series of covers (three re-issues and three covers) but this one fits the theme and tone of the books nicely. While I helped pick the images to be used, I did not put them all together. I did have a lot of input on the cover and that allowed me to feel better about the final product.

This book, while it is an interracial book, is more about the characters. Thought out to be a contemporary gothic, I needed to convey the dark and foreboding tendencies of the main character. It was extraordinarily difficult to find the perfect images, seen from the hero’s eyes, as he is blind. This put us into the heroine’s mind and how she saw things, while still keeping in theme.

Echelon Press is blessed to have Nathalie Moore (Graphic Muse Designs) as our sole cover artist and she does remarkable work. With the initial two covers, I was okay with them, but it wasn’t until this “final” cover that I really felt good. Nathalie did an excellent job

One of the most unique characteristics about this cover is its darkness. And yet, the soft rose brings out the hint of romance that can bloom in even the most forbidden places. Gives me shivers.

You can learn more about me and my other books at www.hartofthematter.com or visit my publisher site at www.echelonpress.com

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Shines-Love-Alexis-Hart/dp/1590802527/

Lightning Days by Colin Harvey

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

It wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that the cover almost designed itself. My publisher and I were talking generally about cover artists, and I had long been a huge fan of Duncan Long’s (I hadn’t realized for just how long until I looked at the date on the gallery; barely a month after Strange Horizons started, and over seven years ago now…) so when Dindy asked if there was anyone I wanted included in the bidding process, I named him.

When the sample cover turned up – and we hadn’t given any briefing to any of the four artists, just asked for samples of their work – it was spooky; the cover was almost exactly what I’d been visualizing in a very vague sort of way.

So we told Duncan some of the key points of the book, and he changed one of the skulls to a Neanderthal shape, while keeping the other as Homo Sapiens. The star got changed to a portal. OK, so it looks like the wormhole from DS9, but how would you go about representing a rent in the fabric of space-time? Finally, Duncan included some lightning and some James-Bond-type people to represent the hero and heroine, and hey presto! one cover.

Are you happy with the cover?

Very! I forget how much I liked it, until I sat down and looked at it again. That’s the thing about the familiar; it loses its impact until you look at it anew.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.geocities.com/colin_harvey

What is the link to buy your book?

In paperback:
http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Days-Colin-Harvey/dp/1934041106/

In electronic format:
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook47461.htm

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

Novels from Swimming Kangaroo Books:
Lightning Days -- SF, Finalist for the USA Book News Awards
The Silk Palace -- "compelling" Library Journal
"Intrigues, betrayals, murders, love affairs, transformations, and
revelations," Bruce Boston, author of The Guardener's Tale

www.geocities.com/colin_harvey
www.myspace.com/colin_harvey

Willing Sacrifice by Gloria Oliver

Did you design the cover? No

Did your publisher design the cover? Yes

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? Yes. The publisher asked for ideas up front and then later let me see the first draft so I could make comments.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. Actually, the cover for Willing Sacrifice seems to have been cursed. One artist went AWAL after comments were made, the second got turned down by one of the owners after comments were made, and finally the third came through!

Who is the cover artist? Cover art by Brandy Everett. Cover design by Martine Jardin

Are you happy with the cover? Overall...yeah

If not, what would you change and why?

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover. Love the background and the rift in the fabric or reality

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

Please provide your website link. www.gloriaoliver.com/willing.html

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934135275%3ftag=cmk1999%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26dev-t=D216JD0ZGSFGW8

Gloria Oliver
www.gloriaoliver.com
Unveiling the Fantastic