This comes hard on the heels of:
And:
Pierre Pevel must be thrilled.
Nice work, Gollancz! One of the best looking trilogies of recent times, IMHO!
Do you like?
Showing posts with label artwork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artwork. Show all posts
Friday, 28 October 2011
Gorgeous Cover Art!
I was happily browsing the forthcoming titles available on Play.com (one of my fave activities on a slow Friday afternoon) and this gorgeous piece of artwork jumped out at me....
This comes hard on the heels of:
And:
Pierre Pevel must be thrilled.
Nice work, Gollancz! One of the best looking trilogies of recent times, IMHO!
Do you like?
This comes hard on the heels of:
And:
Pierre Pevel must be thrilled.
Nice work, Gollancz! One of the best looking trilogies of recent times, IMHO!
Do you like?
Thursday, 29 September 2011
A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words?
I posted the following cover artwork on Twitter and asked people what genre they believed it belonged to:
The general consensus was 'crime' or 'thriller' and I confess that this was my first thought on seeing the cover.
I have, however, read this novel in an embryonic stage (submitted to Angry Robot Open Door Month, before being signed by Jo Fletcher Books - it's excellent!) and I would say it is distinctly horror.
Now, cover artwork is often a little bit of a minefield, in terms of getting it right - and here it seems as though Jo Fletcher Books have chosen to go with artwork that plays down the horror angle. Is this because horror really doesn't sell?
Or, on the other hand, are they trying to tap into some crossover appeal and beckon in the crime/thriller readers? In this case, they are going head to head with some real heavyweights and so A Cold Season might find itself disregarded.
I did find it very interesting to see people identify a whole genre by a piece of cover art i.e. crime. I worry, though, that the wrong readers will therefore pick up this novel. Honestly? I think that Alison Littlewood has been done a disservice with this generic cover and I would hope that people look beyond that to the novel inside.
The general consensus was 'crime' or 'thriller' and I confess that this was my first thought on seeing the cover.
I have, however, read this novel in an embryonic stage (submitted to Angry Robot Open Door Month, before being signed by Jo Fletcher Books - it's excellent!) and I would say it is distinctly horror.
Now, cover artwork is often a little bit of a minefield, in terms of getting it right - and here it seems as though Jo Fletcher Books have chosen to go with artwork that plays down the horror angle. Is this because horror really doesn't sell?
Or, on the other hand, are they trying to tap into some crossover appeal and beckon in the crime/thriller readers? In this case, they are going head to head with some real heavyweights and so A Cold Season might find itself disregarded.
I did find it very interesting to see people identify a whole genre by a piece of cover art i.e. crime. I worry, though, that the wrong readers will therefore pick up this novel. Honestly? I think that Alison Littlewood has been done a disservice with this generic cover and I would hope that people look beyond that to the novel inside.
Monday, 8 August 2011
EMPIRE STATE artwork revealed (plus interview with ADAM CHRISTOPHER)
My good friend Adam Christopher has today revealed the exquisite artwork for the US edition of Empire State (Art and design is by Will Staehle), his debut novel being released by Angry Robot in the US on 27th December 2011 and on the UK on 5th January 2012. Since I nabbed his first interview on being announced as an Angry Robot signing, I thought I would continue the trend and ask for some brief responses to a few questions regarding the US cover art for Empire State.
Amanda Rutter: What was your initial impression when you opened the email that had the cover artwork in it?
Adam Christopher: It was actually a surreal experience, in more ways than one! I was in Barcelona attending a meeting when the email arrived - Marc gave me a URL to download a high-res PDF, but the hotel where I was staying that the worst internet in the world. I tried to download it, but it was going to take 26 hours! Lucky I wasn't paying €17 a day for fast hotel broadband, right? Oh, hang on...
So I had to wait until I got back home two days later. Thanks to a series of late nights and early starts for the past week I was totally wiped - I stumbled in at about 7am, took one look at the PDF, then fell into bed in a daze. And then I got up again, just to take another look!
I knew who the artist was ahead of time, and I was really looking forward to seeing what he would come up with. Marc and Lee were both pretty excited, so when I saw the cover I was pretty stunned. It's beautiful and amazing and so eye-catching. I couldn't be more pleased.
AR: Were you given more than one image to choose between? What made you decide on this particular image?
AC: There were a series of proposals to look through, and I gave my thoughts on each. The decision to use this particular one wasn't mine - as the author my opinion is important, but it's not anything to base an important decision on. But after I ran through them all with Marc, he told me which had been chosen, and I think my exact words may have been: oh hell yes!
AR: How well does the cover art reflect the text of Empire State?
AC: I think it captures it very well - it's very period, it's clearly showing New York, but one where things are very different indeed. While I wouldn't exactly call Empire State a superhero novel per se, I'm glad a couple of the more iconic figures made it onto the cover. You can't go wrong with a guy in a gas mask and fedora!
AR: How does the AR process work in terms of cover art? What input does each author have?
AC: Angry Robot are great in that they are really keen to get the author involved in the cover. I know a lot of publishers don't do this at all. But this does make sense - as an author, what do I know about book covers? You don't judge a book by its cover, but you do sell a book on it. In that regard Angry Robot know what they're doing, so really I'm lucky (and grateful) to have any kind of input at all.
The process was pretty simple - I was asked to make some notes on what I would like to see on the cover, what elements from the story would be good to include, etc - bearing in mind of course that the artist isn't going to have read the book! So I worked up a series of descriptions and gathered together some reference imagery, and piled that all off to Marc. Afterwards I thought I'd perhaps gone a bit overboard - I think my notes were about three pages long!
From there it was out of my hands. A few roughs were prepared, then once the cover had been selected it underwent a round of revision based on some more notes from me (getting the look of the characters was important as they need to match the descriptions in the book).
AR: What are your general thoughts about the importance of cover art?
AC: I think book covers are terribly important - as I said above, a book cover will sell a book. I've bought so many books that were complete unknowns based purely on the cover. I can also understand totally why authors are rarely involved with their covers - the publisher knows the market and knows how to position the book and sell it, and the cover is an important factor. So while I was asked about the cover and the various other options that were worked up by the artist Will Staehle, it was really out of my hands, but that was entirely expected and quite logical.
But the end result is pretty amazing. I still have a hard time believing that's the cover to my book!
So there you have it! What are your thoughts on the cover of Empire State? Would you buy this book based on the cover?
Amanda Rutter: What was your initial impression when you opened the email that had the cover artwork in it?
Adam Christopher: It was actually a surreal experience, in more ways than one! I was in Barcelona attending a meeting when the email arrived - Marc gave me a URL to download a high-res PDF, but the hotel where I was staying that the worst internet in the world. I tried to download it, but it was going to take 26 hours! Lucky I wasn't paying €17 a day for fast hotel broadband, right? Oh, hang on...
So I had to wait until I got back home two days later. Thanks to a series of late nights and early starts for the past week I was totally wiped - I stumbled in at about 7am, took one look at the PDF, then fell into bed in a daze. And then I got up again, just to take another look!
I knew who the artist was ahead of time, and I was really looking forward to seeing what he would come up with. Marc and Lee were both pretty excited, so when I saw the cover I was pretty stunned. It's beautiful and amazing and so eye-catching. I couldn't be more pleased.
AR: Were you given more than one image to choose between? What made you decide on this particular image?
AC: There were a series of proposals to look through, and I gave my thoughts on each. The decision to use this particular one wasn't mine - as the author my opinion is important, but it's not anything to base an important decision on. But after I ran through them all with Marc, he told me which had been chosen, and I think my exact words may have been: oh hell yes!
AR: How well does the cover art reflect the text of Empire State?
AC: I think it captures it very well - it's very period, it's clearly showing New York, but one where things are very different indeed. While I wouldn't exactly call Empire State a superhero novel per se, I'm glad a couple of the more iconic figures made it onto the cover. You can't go wrong with a guy in a gas mask and fedora!
AR: How does the AR process work in terms of cover art? What input does each author have?
AC: Angry Robot are great in that they are really keen to get the author involved in the cover. I know a lot of publishers don't do this at all. But this does make sense - as an author, what do I know about book covers? You don't judge a book by its cover, but you do sell a book on it. In that regard Angry Robot know what they're doing, so really I'm lucky (and grateful) to have any kind of input at all.
The process was pretty simple - I was asked to make some notes on what I would like to see on the cover, what elements from the story would be good to include, etc - bearing in mind of course that the artist isn't going to have read the book! So I worked up a series of descriptions and gathered together some reference imagery, and piled that all off to Marc. Afterwards I thought I'd perhaps gone a bit overboard - I think my notes were about three pages long!
From there it was out of my hands. A few roughs were prepared, then once the cover had been selected it underwent a round of revision based on some more notes from me (getting the look of the characters was important as they need to match the descriptions in the book).
AR: What are your general thoughts about the importance of cover art?
AC: I think book covers are terribly important - as I said above, a book cover will sell a book. I've bought so many books that were complete unknowns based purely on the cover. I can also understand totally why authors are rarely involved with their covers - the publisher knows the market and knows how to position the book and sell it, and the cover is an important factor. So while I was asked about the cover and the various other options that were worked up by the artist Will Staehle, it was really out of my hands, but that was entirely expected and quite logical.
But the end result is pretty amazing. I still have a hard time believing that's the cover to my book!
So there you have it! What are your thoughts on the cover of Empire State? Would you buy this book based on the cover?
Monday, 18 July 2011
COVER STORY: lush covers for thrilling new Solaris trilogy unveiled
I don't usually do cover art posts, so you should realise how exceptional I find these covers!
I just received an email from the Solaris team announcing the new covers for Rowena Cory Daniells' new epic fantasy trilogy, due in 2012.
As per the press release:
The books in the trilogy - Besieged, Sanctuary and Exile - each come with a lush, detailed fantastical cover by Clint Langley, who was responsible for the covers on Daniells’ best-selling The Chronicles of King Rolen’s Kin and whose artwork is regularly seen in weekly comic anthology, 2000 AD.
The Outcast Chronicles is the exciting new series that follows the fate of a tribe of dispossessed mystics. Vastly outnumbered by people without magical abilities, they are persecuted because ordinary people fear their gifts. This persecution culminates in a bloody pogrom sanctioned by the king who lays siege to the Celestial City, last bastion of the mystics.
This is a family-saga set in a fantasy world. Four people linked by blood, love and vows struggle with misplaced loyalties, over-riding ambition and hidden secrets which could destroy them. Some make desperate alliances only to suffer betrayal, and some discover great personal strength.
Check these out...
BESIEGED
EXILE
SANCTUARY
I think these are simply stunning - and give a good reason why my Kindle will never be as good as my books (well, not until they can reproduce, in colour, this sort of artwork!)
What do you think? Will you be picking up this trilogy?
I just received an email from the Solaris team announcing the new covers for Rowena Cory Daniells' new epic fantasy trilogy, due in 2012.
As per the press release:
The books in the trilogy - Besieged, Sanctuary and Exile - each come with a lush, detailed fantastical cover by Clint Langley, who was responsible for the covers on Daniells’ best-selling The Chronicles of King Rolen’s Kin and whose artwork is regularly seen in weekly comic anthology, 2000 AD.
The Outcast Chronicles is the exciting new series that follows the fate of a tribe of dispossessed mystics. Vastly outnumbered by people without magical abilities, they are persecuted because ordinary people fear their gifts. This persecution culminates in a bloody pogrom sanctioned by the king who lays siege to the Celestial City, last bastion of the mystics.
This is a family-saga set in a fantasy world. Four people linked by blood, love and vows struggle with misplaced loyalties, over-riding ambition and hidden secrets which could destroy them. Some make desperate alliances only to suffer betrayal, and some discover great personal strength.
Check these out...
BESIEGED
EXILE
SANCTUARY
I think these are simply stunning - and give a good reason why my Kindle will never be as good as my books (well, not until they can reproduce, in colour, this sort of artwork!)
What do you think? Will you be picking up this trilogy?
DragonWorld - a new title from Impact Books
Today I am so pleased to bring you a review of DragonWorld. This is a book that I was sceptical about reviewing, when it was offered but just one peek inside the pages and I was utterly blown away.
Here is the official blurb:
120 Dragons with Advice and Inspiration from 49 International Artists
From fire breathing to friendly, dragons pretty much rock the fantasy world. Dedicated to the coolest of mythological beasts, DragonWorld is a showcase of some of today's best, most imaginative dragon art. Some stick to the popular notion of what a dragon is, while others offer more unexpected interpretations. Behind this fiercely creative work is a diverse group of young international artists who have developed loyal fan followings on the popular online showcase, deviantART.com. Look inside to see why.
DragonWorld is available from the North Light Shop and I'm pleased to say that readers of this blog can receive 40% off the retail price by using the coupon code “DragonSummer11”.
Why should you buy it?
I will give you just three reasons out of 120.
The first showcases a traditional dragon, as produced by Daniel Lundkvist:
The second is a delightfully cute cartoon style by Ursula Vernon:
The last image that I want to show you here is massively powerful and distinctive, and my personal favourite out of the whole 120 images available. It is by Kerem Beyit:
The book is lavish and coffee table style, and each image is accompanied by a Q&A sleeve that discusses with the artist their influences, styles and why they love dragons so much. Here is an example of such:
I cannot emphasise how truly gorgeous this book is, and, if you have any interest in dragons or appreciate looking at some stunning artwork, then it will be well worth your money. I have absolutely no stake in your buying this - no affiliate links, no monetary rewards. I just think it presents a beautiful gift - and preferably one for yourself! I don't think you'd be able to part with this once you'd seen it.
I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of those who view the images above! Which do you like best?
Here is the official blurb:
120 Dragons with Advice and Inspiration from 49 International Artists
From fire breathing to friendly, dragons pretty much rock the fantasy world. Dedicated to the coolest of mythological beasts, DragonWorld is a showcase of some of today's best, most imaginative dragon art. Some stick to the popular notion of what a dragon is, while others offer more unexpected interpretations. Behind this fiercely creative work is a diverse group of young international artists who have developed loyal fan followings on the popular online showcase, deviantART.com. Look inside to see why.
- 120 creations from 49 cutting-edge dragon artists all on deviantART.com
- Represents a wide variety of mediums—both traditional and digital—and an even wider variety of stylistic interpretations from classic to futuristic
- Q&A style profiles offer fascinating insights on the artists' techniques and inspirations
DragonWorld is available from the North Light Shop and I'm pleased to say that readers of this blog can receive 40% off the retail price by using the coupon code “DragonSummer11”.
Why should you buy it?
I will give you just three reasons out of 120.
The first showcases a traditional dragon, as produced by Daniel Lundkvist:
The second is a delightfully cute cartoon style by Ursula Vernon:
The last image that I want to show you here is massively powerful and distinctive, and my personal favourite out of the whole 120 images available. It is by Kerem Beyit:
The book is lavish and coffee table style, and each image is accompanied by a Q&A sleeve that discusses with the artist their influences, styles and why they love dragons so much. Here is an example of such:
I cannot emphasise how truly gorgeous this book is, and, if you have any interest in dragons or appreciate looking at some stunning artwork, then it will be well worth your money. I have absolutely no stake in your buying this - no affiliate links, no monetary rewards. I just think it presents a beautiful gift - and preferably one for yourself! I don't think you'd be able to part with this once you'd seen it.
I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of those who view the images above! Which do you like best?
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Black Library: Path of the Renegade
Lookit! The artwork for Path of the Renegade has been released!
How *awesome* is that?!
The blurb: For millennia, Asdrubael Vect has ruled the dark city of Commorragh, crushing any who dare to cross him. His reach is long and his position unassailable... or so he thinks. Yllithian, an ambitious archon with the desire to unseat the tyrant, joins forces with a twisted haemonculus in an attempt to revive a long-dead warrior and challenge the might of the overlord, both racing to achieve their goal before Vect discovers their treachery. But a cataclysm is coming, and Yllithian’s actions may in fact be the cause...
It's out March 2012, and I already want that on my shelves!
How *awesome* is that?!
The blurb: For millennia, Asdrubael Vect has ruled the dark city of Commorragh, crushing any who dare to cross him. His reach is long and his position unassailable... or so he thinks. Yllithian, an ambitious archon with the desire to unseat the tyrant, joins forces with a twisted haemonculus in an attempt to revive a long-dead warrior and challenge the might of the overlord, both racing to achieve their goal before Vect discovers their treachery. But a cataclysm is coming, and Yllithian’s actions may in fact be the cause...
It's out March 2012, and I already want that on my shelves!
Monday, 20 December 2010
Bad Cover Fun!
I haven't done one of these in a little while, but welcome back to all the fun of snickering at truly awful covers. I've gone with a festive theme here!
Admire the most awkward-looking kiss in the world!
Marvel at the.... umm....creature (!)
Be thankful you don't have to read a book like this *grin*
Admire the most awkward-looking kiss in the world!
Marvel at the.... umm....creature (!)
Be thankful you don't have to read a book like this *grin*
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Real Fantasy
Our world is truly humbling - and here is some proof. This place, that looks as though it belongs on the cover of a fantasy novel and inspires the mind to write about assassins and deserts and other fantasy tropes like that, is actually the Buddhist Monastery of Ki, located in the Himalayas.
This photograph was taken by Natalia Luzuriaga.
This photograph was taken by Natalia Luzuriaga.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Tor Books Incoming in 2011!
The effervescent and lovely Julie Crisp has just shown us three pieces of artwork for novels incoming in 2011 from Tor - here they are in all their glory!
The first is for Heirs of the Blade by the robotic Adrian Tchaikovsky (I say robotic, because surely NO ONE can write so many books so quickly - and apparently of very good quality, I need to catch up on this series of the Apt!)
How GORGEOUS is that?! I love the colours; I love the wicked-looking tree people (Ents these are not!!) and the weary central figure makes me so curious. This is just WICKED artwork from the talented pen of Jon Sullivan.
The next is for the second book by Col Buchanan - Stands A Shadow. This is incoming in August, so still a while to wait. Artwork by Steve Stone:
Hell, that's pretty damn gorgeous too! Follows the theme of the hooded figure dominating the cover of Farlander - this character intrigues me loads as well. *drools*
In fact, the only one of the three I'm not *that* fond of is the cover for Heaven's Shadow, coming in July from David S Goyer and Michael Cassutt:
It is just a little too X Files for me, and doesn't have the impact of the other two covers.
Can't be denied that Tor is producing some stunning artwork at the moment for their books!
Which do you like best? Any of these three books you're *really* waiting for?
The first is for Heirs of the Blade by the robotic Adrian Tchaikovsky (I say robotic, because surely NO ONE can write so many books so quickly - and apparently of very good quality, I need to catch up on this series of the Apt!)
The next is for the second book by Col Buchanan - Stands A Shadow. This is incoming in August, so still a while to wait. Artwork by Steve Stone:
Hell, that's pretty damn gorgeous too! Follows the theme of the hooded figure dominating the cover of Farlander - this character intrigues me loads as well. *drools*
In fact, the only one of the three I'm not *that* fond of is the cover for Heaven's Shadow, coming in July from David S Goyer and Michael Cassutt:
It is just a little too X Files for me, and doesn't have the impact of the other two covers.
Can't be denied that Tor is producing some stunning artwork at the moment for their books!
Which do you like best? Any of these three books you're *really* waiting for?
Monday, 13 December 2010
Scorpia Rising
Isn't this just GORGEOUS?! Any art department that needs lessons on how to create high impact book covers should be going to Walker Books for lessons!
This is the cover for Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz - the final Alex Rider novel. It is being released by Walker Books on March 31st 2011, and I'm sure there will be many thousands of youngsters anticipating its release.
I have to confess that this is a series I haven't yet tackled, but have always intended to. With sight of this new cover, the Alex Rider series is firmly on my radar and I plan to snap them all up on the release of Scorpia Rising.
You can keep up to speed with Alex Rider and Anthony Horowitz at www.alexrider.com and www.anthonyhorowitz.com
Enjoy!
Friday, 12 November 2010
Lex Trent Fighting With Fire
This is not a book review - unfortunately, since I can't wait to get my hands on the second Lex Trent novel by Alex Bell.
But I can bring you the artwork for Lex Trent Fighting With Fire, and it's simply gorgeous! I am loving the dragon - and those eeeeeviiil rabbits have me curious as heck.
What do you think of it?
But I can bring you the artwork for Lex Trent Fighting With Fire, and it's simply gorgeous! I am loving the dragon - and those eeeeeviiil rabbits have me curious as heck.
What do you think of it?
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Who Loves Horrendous Book Covers?
I do!
Now, here is the description of this book: Participating in an ancient spell, Laura Sullivan is amazed when the half-naked man of her dreams is promptly deposited in her home, and Laura is forced to teach Connor, a ninth-century Viking, how to adapt to the modern world.
So far, so historical romance.
Here is the cover chosen to show this tale...
What do you think? Something you'd pick up? *snicker*
Now, here is the description of this book: Participating in an ancient spell, Laura Sullivan is amazed when the half-naked man of her dreams is promptly deposited in her home, and Laura is forced to teach Connor, a ninth-century Viking, how to adapt to the modern world.
So far, so historical romance.
Here is the cover chosen to show this tale...
What do you think? Something you'd pick up? *snicker*
Monday, 8 November 2010
And we think fantasy covers are bad......
Well, I was having a look through my Google Reader this morning and found a review on the following novel. The review was pretty good - objective and direct.
But the cover....
So, hands up who think Kindles are absolutely made for covers like these? Who would be embarrassed carrying this book and reading it on the train?
Do you have any other examples of truly terrible covers?
But the cover....
So, hands up who think Kindles are absolutely made for covers like these? Who would be embarrassed carrying this book and reading it on the train?
Do you have any other examples of truly terrible covers?
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