Hello again! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and for those of you who celebrate it, happy lunar new year!
Nothing much has changed on the literary agent front. The rejections are still coming in, and the future where I end up self-publishing and self-marketing my story is becoming more and more likely by the day.
Due to this, I'm now looking to hire a cover artist. Using AI art is a route I could take, but a) writing this novel was a passion of mine, and I believe in supporting other people's passions, and b) call me crazy, but artwork done by humans looks more elegant to me. A human artist can take a book's shape and easily play with art that wraps around the front and back. An AI... eh, not so much.
Truthfully, I've done this once before already, and actually ended up commissioning a lovely artist by the name of Jack Baker for a composition. (WARNING: the link contains some artwork featuring naked ladies.)
He delivered beautifully, but at the time I had no idea what kind of cover I was going for. I said as much to him during the earliest stages of the process, telling him that I may not end up using what he made (which he was cool with.) I've decided that his final piece is ultimately more literal than what I'd like, and I've chosen to go in a more conceptual, abstract direction.
(His art is still really cool though, isn't it? I use a piece of the commissioned art—the mouse and the flower—as my profile pic, and for this blog's banner.)
So, what do I mean by "conceptual?" And what kind of feel am I going for? I'd like something like the artwork done here:
To me this artwork has more meaning to it than covers that simply have a beautiful person in armor looking dramatically off to the side. It evokes questions while conveying each story's themes. Like, what is this creature that Tess is facing, and what are those towns nestled in the negative space between the creature's wings? What is this city in the clouds with such a dreamlike atmosphere? Why are a girl and boy playing music in the sea, and why are there horses galloping above their heads?
And we all understand what's happening with Red and the big bad wolf, but the way that relationship is conveyed is masterful, and the addition of the dagger in Red's hand is wonderful. Defiance of the enemy. A stand against what could be overwhelming might, but a stand none the less. An underdog against a wolf. Go get em, Red.
Ultimately, these compositions are art. They're fun. They engage with me, make me want to read the books they're attached to, and tease me with the stories therein. How could I want anything less for my passion project?
I'll add an update on who I ultimately decide to go with by the end of the month!
Happy writing,
Chris361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUgZaj29un
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jJe8vZ2gN
Update: I've decided to enlist Jon C Pool for cover art and Lena Yang for typography and design! Can't wait to see the end result!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdzEElERMT
