Showing posts with label cover art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cover art. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

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

Sunday, August 23, 2009

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

Sunday, August 2, 2009

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

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

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

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Last Glass of Wine by Bekki Lynn


Did you design the cover? I designed the layout and presented it to the cover artist.

Did your publisher design the cover?
The cover artist working for my publisher took my idea and perfected it, using an alternate photo of the same couple.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?
Oh, yes. I’m a hands on author who believes a cover must relate to the story and the characters.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.
There are unique points throughout the story where the Cole is sharing a glass of wine with Lana as boss/employee. The Last Glass of Wine she has is significant in that it’s the last glass they share. For more, you’ll have to read.

Who is the cover artist?
Jinger Heaston

Are you happy with the cover?
The original photo I’d chosen showed a more aggressive sensuality that was more fitting to the story overall, but it didn’t quite fit the glass. This photo works wonderful in showing the love and caring that brings it to a wonderful, sentimental end. I’m thrilled with it.

If not, what would you change and why? One
thing I would change is the font of the author name, but that was my doing, my mistake.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.
The couple in the wine glass is what makes the cover. I’ve never before seen a couple so fitting to the characters within the book.

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

Yes, I’d be remiss to leave out the photographer. Lev Dolgachov is the wonderful photographer who took an entire series of photos of this couple. His work is moving, suggestive and I could literally take his photos and write a story around them. His work has been used on many covers, including this couple. And you’ll find another photo of this couple on my website. Needless to say, I plan on using more of his work.

Please provide your website link.
www.bekkilynn.com

What is the link to buy your book?
www.sirenpublishing.com/bekkilynn

Sunday, January 6, 2008

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

Monday, September 10, 2007

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

Monday, September 3, 2007

Only Moments by Nick Oliva



Did you design the cover?Yes. I wanted to convey timelessness so I used my own photography from
Carmel and Big Sur.

Did your publisher design the cover?No, I laid out the criteria and they did a great job following through with it.

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

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.The front picture is Carmel CA in October of 1984. The back is Big Sur in 1994 that I took when I was out there writing the book.

Who is the cover artist?
I shot the photographs

Are you happy with the cover?Very pleased. I wouldn't change a thing.

If not, what would you change and why?nothing

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.I love the sunset and birds. It gives a glimpse of the eternal

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Feel free to share.Nothing really. I am lucky I know what I want and I have a good sense of what is pleasing to most and what makes sense themwise to the book's general gestalt. I like those two words together. Sounds like a German army officer. Seriously, I think that the cover must relay a sense of what the book will convey to the reader once they've begun to read it. It helps to sell something with the desirability of the cover, as one plunks down hard cash just reading the back cover so it better look good and be verbally intriguing so Mr. or Ms. John Q. Public feels good about the purchase.

Please provide your website link.
www.onlymomentsbook.com

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

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Blam Game


Did you design the cover? The final cover, yes. I had a certain feeling about the characters and their world.

Did your publisher design the cover? The publisher put together a sample cover using clip art and photos. That was the initial attempt and we went on from there.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design? I had total input. The publisher was generous in handing me free reign.

Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. Nothing dramatic, but I felt an emphasis should be placed on the oppressive environment; the oven-like weather of the Southwestern locale, I felt, should be represented in the introduction which is , of course, the cover. Please don't think me morbid, but I wanted to try my hand at drawing a dead man at least once.

Who is the cover artist? I did the cover art using my writing pseudonym, Jim Alexander. The publisher furnished the graphics.

Are you happy with the cover? I'd say I'm 95% satisfied with the outcome of the cover. Who wouldn't like to change their work in some small way once it's too late to do so?

If not, what would you change and why? The thing I'd change is the "Jim Alexander" scrawled in the pavement on the highway. It's entirely my fault that my publisher and I didn't get that right. He placed another "Jim Alexander" beneath the art. It appears as if I'm trying a bit too hard to make the author's name prominent through repetition, which isn't the intention at all. No, really, it isn't!

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover? The brilliant, harsh colors and the crude (intended) form of the dead man's wingtips as he lay motionless on the highway.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know? Only that the pictured victim, a former government agent, sets off a greedy quest for a forgotten cache of DEA greenbacks!

Please provide your website link. My crime caper, "Blam Game" can be found at speculativefictionreview.com under the "Books" heading.

My email address is http://mail.lycos.com/hanmail/mail/MailComposeFrame.daum?TO=nburke0@lycos.com.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

THE TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! by Dr Barbara Holstein




Dr Barbara is going to tell us about the story behind the cover art for her book The TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything!

Did you design the cover?

Yes, I conceptualized the cover for THE TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything!

Did your publisher design the cover?

My publisher and I actually worked on the design together.

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

I gave a lot of input. Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. Yes, there is an interesting story. I wanted to cover to look like a girl's diary. I also wanted the girl to find a way to make clear to anyone who discovered her diary that she was on to something-i.e THE TRUTH! This was not just any old diary. This was something so special that even though it was a secret diary, the girl had to let you know right away how special it was. It held profound material-she knew that and she was only ten, but then again she knows everything! Also, I wanted the cover to have a picture of 'the girl.' And I wanted her to look like any ordinary kid-not someone all dolled up. I wanted the cover to further the idea that the girl is creative and has lots of ways of expressing herself, which is probably why the cover has two slightly different versions as I mention below. Guess who's picture most fitted the bill? I'm not telling, as that is a secret! Lastly, she is in love and I guess the cover successfully conveys that also!

Who is the cover artist?

Georgia Jones, the publisher of Ladybug Press who published the book.Are you happy with the cover? I'm happy in that it says most of what I wanted it to convey.

If not, what would you change and why?

If I could start it again I would also put a locket across it as a locket in the book, given to the girl by her aunt, holds the key to a profound mystery.

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

The little girl's announcement on lined composition paper that she is 10, is smart and knows everything.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know?

Feel free to share. I actually have two versions of the cover. One has the girl on the cover and the other version has the girl on the first page, with a cut out square on the cover leading you to the girl. There is a bit of a mystery to this that I am still playing with. Anyway, when you receive your book you may find you have the cover with the girl on the front or the one with the girl inside peeking out.

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

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Search for the Million $$$ Ghost - Dorothy Thompson


Did you design the cover?

I designed and made the cover for THE SEARCH FOR THE MILLION $$$ GHOST because I love that control. As I had experience in cover design in the past, it only seemed fitting that I design the cover for this book, too. I’m a stickler about book covers. I didn’t want to take the chance on it being something that didn’t match what the book is about.
Did your publisher design the cover?

They didn’t, no.
Did you get to give any input about the cover design?

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

THE SEARCH FOR THE MILLION $$$ GHOST centered around the Hawthorne mansion in which six lovely ladies tried their hand at ghostbusting. I chose the design because the Hawthorne mansion lied beyond a huge gate and when I found this picture, I knew it would be perfect even though in this picture, it’s really a gated window looking out. Where it’s moody, mysterious and foreboding, I thought it blended perfectly with the story.
Who is the cover artist?

Myself.
Are you happy with the cover?

I’m happy with the cover and have gotten rave reviews for it.

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

I love it that the picture gives off an eeriness that makes you curious of what’s inside the walls of the mysterious Hawthorne mansion where the majority of the action takes place. It kind of gives off an aura of mystery even before you open the book and that’s exactly my intentions when I created it. I don’t think another cover would have done it more justice.

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Sarah's Landing I by Elena Dorothy Bowman



Did you design the cover?

I write Science Fiction, Mystery, Romance Novels with a touch of the Paranormal for Write Words, Inc. under their imprints Cambridge Books and ebooksonthe.net. Since the Sarah's Landing Series is science fiction, my son designed this rendition of the cover, taking a Lighthouse on Cape Ann as a basis setting it against the background of deep space.

Did you give any input about the cover design?

Yes, I did. My son listened to what I asked of him, gave him a synopsis of the book so that he would know what it was about and could generate a cover that fit the story. This latest version is the third cover he has designed for Sarah's Landing-I-Contact. The first two being covers of earlier editions. But this latest one, I think, is the best. The other three covers in the series are designed in the same vein so that one could easily see they are part of a series. He is also the one who designed my banner on my website as well as the website itself. http://elenadb.home.comcast.net, or http://www.sarahslanding.com./

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

The interesting story about the cover of Sarah's Landing-I is that while thinking about a lighthouse as a basis for a cover, not one of the pictures I had suited me. So, I cajoled my husband into taking me to Gloucester, Massachusetts where we could take new pictures of lighthouses using a digital camera. It so happened that it was the middle of November and it was freezing out. Nevertheless, he capitulated and we went to the ocean in search of lighthouses that would fit the bill. While on the rock wall taking the pictures of the Eastern Light, the wind whipped up from the ocean and we had to hang on to each other to keep from being blown off the wall and into the cold uninviting ocean. But we got the pictures.

Who is the cover artist?

Cover design is by David P. Bowman, my youngest. On this particular cover, my husband and I are the photographers. On all the other covers in the series, David is the sole cover artist. As he is with the covers of all of my books, with two exceptions. The photo on the cover of the first book in the Legacy Series, The House Of The Bluff was one taken by me, and the photo on the cover of my novel Time-Rift was taken by my daughter,Karen, who takes marvelous photographs under the name of Car'jan.

Are you happy with the cover?

I love all my covers. I have received a lot of positive feedback from readers and from booksellers who not only love the covers, but the books themselves.

If not, what would you change and why?

Now, I wouldn't change anything. I really think the series covers are fascinating. (As are all my covers). And since I haven't had any negative feedback from my publisher, I would say she is pleased with them as well. She has said my son does good work.

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

The way the lighthouse is portrayed against the background of deep space. It gives the impression that the last place on Earth is that lighthouse and above that is another dimension ready to engulf any unwary Earthling.

PS from Nikki - I have to add a quick note. The lighthouse on the cover of Elena's book is the same lighthouse that I feature in my Misty Cove Series. We have all time periods covered, mine are historic and contemporary and Elena's are futuristic :)

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Reluctant Runaway by Jill Elizabeth Nelson



Our first cover to be featured is Jill Elizabeth Nelson's Reluctant Runaway. This is what Jill has to say about her cover ---

Did your publisher design the cover?

I write romantic suspense for Multnomah Books. (Waterbrook/Multnomah is an imprint of Random House.) My publishing house has a department that designs covers. They used the same two models for the hero and heroine on each of the three covers for the To Catch a Thief series, but placed them in backgrounds unique to the individual story. The poses and parts of the cover from my debut novel, Reluctant Burglar, form the header of my web site: http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/.

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

Yes, I’ve always been presented with a set of designs to choose from. For my most recent release, Reluctant Runaway, I suggested a detail change to the layout, and my request was immediately implemented.
Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details.

At the last minute, a few significant details were changed by my publishing house on the Reluctant Runaway cover. I love the changes because they add drama to the layout; however, the cover that’s displayed on Amazon is the earlier version.

Who is the cover artist?
Cover design is by James Hall, and the cover art and photos are by Steve Gardner of PixelWorks Studios, Inc. I’ve never met these folks, but I’d like to.

Are you happy with the cover?

I love my covers and have received lots of positive feedback from readers, but booksellers have commented that they’re too dark.

If not, what would you change and why?

I understand that my publisher plans to lighten the covers a bit when we go into second printing. That’s fine by me as long as they keep the dramatic flavor. I’m particularly jazzed about the cover for the third book in the series, Reluctant Smuggler, which releases January 2008. They have lightened the overall effect, but the spooky Mayan ruins are awesome. Unfortunately, I’m not free to share that cover yet.

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

The poses of the characters. For Reluctant Burglar, the designer captured Desi in her cat burglar mode with Tony glaring that tough, savvy FBI agent look. For Reluctant Runaway (the real cover, not the one on Amazon), they’ve got each other’s backs and maintain that intensity of expression. I’m pretty fond of the motorcycle in the desert on the Runaway cover, too.

Thank you to Jill for sharing her cover with us. Will your cover be next?

Nikki Leigh
http://www.nikkileigh.com/