It was a bit more time-consuming than I expected, but its done and official. My short story, Into the Shade, is now live on Kindlesingles.net.
I’d love if anyone orders it to please leave a good review! 
Tag Archives: book cover
Designing book covers
I’m very close to publishing a short story I wrote, however, I’m finding frustration in the design of my book cover. As I’m self-publishing, I can pick and choose what I want to illustrate the story, but that’s where being a typical Libra becomes a cage of indecision.
I wrote a post some time ago on the topic of book covers. I learned that published authors generally have no say in the design (the publishing company decides), and sometimes the designer is limited based on the criteria given to them. Its business, in the hopes the cover catches the reader’s eye, to stir curiosity in the book to be bought.
Self-doubt plays havoc with my judgment on this topic, when its my decision. I can see why authors let publishing companies decide for them, or you hire someone to do this for you. One would hope the designer would have some idea on what readers want for a cover. I’m not sure I do. I know what I like, but that doesn’t mean anything remotely what the general populous enjoys.
So what are your thoughts on this topic; what should a book cover do for the author as well as the reader? Post in comments below.
Writer’s Prompt: Look up book covers you have at home and take note of design, color, and even the fonts included. Now take notes on what you’d like as covers to your own books, including short stories, poems, and non-fiction works you may be working on.
Filed under Author, Marketing, Prompt, Publishing, Writer
A book by its cover
There’s the old saying, “Never judge a book by its cover”. Sage advice, if you ask me when judging people. However, I find myself very much judging a book by its cover, to gain some insight as to what the book is about. You’d be surprised to know that many authors do not choose the cover to their own book. Publishing companies decide, and I would think they know best, right? They might also have an inside scoop on the best illustrators, or have something in mind that would help sell the book. Some illustrators add to the book’s worth as well, making it a collector’s edition.
For instance, hardcover books will have a different artist than the paperback copy as found in R.A. Salvatore’s Dark Elf series. The covers were redone when reprinted by Todd Lockwood (who does breathtaking work, by the way).
Starless Night’s original cover include Drizzt looking like an old man, despite the story telling how Drizzt, despite his years was from the long lived Drow race and therefore quite young looking. You’ll notice too, this is not the ebony skinned Dark Elf described in the book, but an old, white man, looking stern. The newer cover captures the story and its characters so much better.
Here is Todd Lockwood’s version of Starless Nights, with the infamous fight scene between Drizzt and his nemesis Artemis Entreri. Not only is Drizzt pictured as the true Drow with dark skin and white hair, but the scene holds the true sense of the excellent fighting scenes the author is known for.
Michael Whelan is a famed illustrator that creates some mind blowing artwork for books of various genre. He did the covers for Stephan Kings Roland the Gunslinger, and Michael Moorcock’s Elric series. He also designed Anne McCaffrey‘s Dragonriders of Pern series, among others.
Michael Komarck is another artist that excels at book covers and letting the reader get a real sense of the story and characters. Its this sort of cover design that snags my attention and has me picking up the book to read what its all about. Feel free to post favorite authors or books you find that are eye catching.
