Choosing the cover for Winter Queen

Posted by amberargyle at 2:18 PM Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I can't believe I'm already at the point where I need to start looking into cover art. Eve Ventrue did the covers for my two previous books, and I had planned on her to work on Winter Queen (she was going to start in January). 

But she sent me an email this week. She has a big client right now and doesn't think she'll have time to fit in any other commission work. 

Soooo . . . that leaves me with searching for another cover artist. I've already begun. 
Here's one artist I really like, Laura Sava:



Another artist, Melanie Delon:
Pretty much everything she does is amazing. 

Nene Thomas is another, but she's way out of my price range, as is Bente Schlick. 
I'd post pictures, but I don't want to violate the artist's copyright. 

So what do you guys think?

13 comments:

  1. LC Piper said...:
    October 23, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    Melanie, fore sure.

  1. Deea said...:
    October 23, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    Wow, that's some cool art work!

    I particularly like this one: http://anotherwanderer.deviantart.com/art/Elayne-2-331546036?q=gallery%3Aanotherwanderer%2F3327430&qo=3 and this one looks really badass http://anotherwanderer.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=72#/d1zkf1w.

    But, like you said, everything Melanie Delon does is amazing! (I love the "Echoes from the past - Scars", "Dechainee - Sacrifice", "Heartless - Blue eyes" images from her gallery).

    But you know best what is right for the story and the main character. ♥

  1. Dany said...:
    October 23, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    Melanie Delon! Melanie Delon!

    :)

  1. Lucas Darr said...:
    October 23, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Amber, since you are fearless, I suggest an alternate approach:

    Gather all the links of artwork you like, including your own cover.

    Then, go to a freelance website like freelancer.com and open bidding for your budget. In your ask, include the samples and indicate you want to see direct links to examples on Deviant Art and that the artist must be familiar with Lightning Source or CreateSpace templates.

    I have seen a number of projects like this and the replies one gentleman got was very impressive.

  1. Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...:
    October 23, 2012 at 4:04 PM

    I honestly don't know how you will choose. I love art and take it very seriously and there are aspects that I like from each one. The key is in the detailing and I really think you want to look at how complex the backgrounds are to the human figures. If the artist is using a simple play of shadows in the background and leaving all the detail on the person, then I think you should pass. Go for someone that is going to detail the person, but also draw every leaf in the background.

  1. Cherie Reich said...:
    October 23, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    Such a hard decision! Either look like they could do a fantastic job with the cover for Winter Queen.

  1. amberargyle said...:
    October 23, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    Luke: I really like the way she brings out emotions in her characters.

    Deea: Sounds like you prefer Laura. I really like the leaves one.

    Dany: We'll see how much she charges. :)

    Anthony: I don't know if I'm that brave . . .

    Michael: Good points. Thanks.

    Cherie: I agree. I still don't have all the information yet though, so that might determine some things.

  1. JoLynne Lyon said...:
    October 25, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    They're both amazingly talented. My vote is for the more classic style by Laura Sava, because the story seems more like a classic fantasy (less like a graphic novel). But my bias will always be more toward a fine art look.

  1. Deea said...:
    October 26, 2012 at 3:57 AM

    I would also recommend Claudia McKinney at PhatPuppy Creations. She's incredibly talented and does the cover art for many Fantasy and Paranormal Romance authors.
    I'm sure she has something perfect for your book. :)

    I don't know about the prices thought...

    PhatPuppy Creations

  1. amberargyle said...:
    October 26, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    JoLynne: Looks like it will be Laura.

    Deea: Wow. That is one amazing portfolio. I shot her off an email. Thanks!

  1. BellaBunnell said...:
    November 6, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    Claudia is brilliant. She has done the covers for several authors including my friend Samantha Young. She's a name readers recognize. If you can swing it, she's totally worth it.

  1. amberargyle said...:
    November 6, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    I love Claudia's stuff. I'm just not sure I can find the stock images I want.

  1. caelicorn said...:
    September 15, 2013 at 5:37 PM
    This comment has been removed by the author.

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