Mike is a very creative person. We got a little band together when we lived in Zagreb, Croatia. It never went anywhere (we could never find a singer), but it was great fun jamming to old Led Zeppelin songs. I was always awed that Mike could apparently play everything -- drums, bass, guitar, harmonica. He would even try to sing, though it's better not to go there.
Well, once when I visited Mike in Maryland he surprised me with a book with the following cover:
(NOTE: This was before I had written the story!! I had only talked with him about what I intended to write.)
It turned out to be a random novel that he had wrapped this cover mock-up around. It felt good to see my 'book'. I hate to nitpick when he put so much effort into it (and the cover art he found is really great, very appropriate to the colorings that I prefer in fantasy art), but the awards he listed are for sci-fi books rather than fantasy, and even though my series eventually turns to sci-fi, for now it is just a fantasy. I don't feel the font and coloring worked for the title, either, but having tried to do that myself a couple of times, I know just how hard it is to get right. What wowed me the most was his made-up blurb on the back cover. It isn't professional quality and has a few too many cliches, but he essentially got my story right (I must point out, though, that the boy is not a farm boy. Even I wouldn't push the cliches that far!). This was one of the best gifts a friend has ever given me!
Posts
It's beautiful. Even if it's not exactly what you wanted, it still looks impressive. Gave me chills to see your name and title on a book jacket.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I think having friends who believe in us makes all the difference. It would be hard to keep going without that support.
ReplyDeleteThank you both. Natalie, I thought that digital photo attendance at the conference was hilarious, and I wish you luck with the baby!
ReplyDeleteThat is AMAZING Ted! I mean I hear you about the font and the blurb, they're not terrible, but probably not what you would choose either. The background art is awesome though, it looks like a John Howe or an Alan Lee. Do you happen to know who painted it?
ReplyDeleteNope. I thought it might be Alan Lee, but I can't seem to find it, and when I look close it doesn't quite look like his work.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Ted! It's great that your friend would make something like that for you!
ReplyDeleteReal friends are cool. We spent Sunday with real friends. Had a great time watching the kids swim. Nothing too exciting, just spending time with each other.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
aww! what a sweetie! (gorgeous art!)
ReplyDeleteActually, speaking from a professional standpoint, the font works very well. It was the first thing that drew me to the cover.
ReplyDeleteIt might not be what you were envisioning, but as a marketing tool, it works.
He put a lot of time and effort into it - that's an awesome friend.
ReplyDeleteAnd my computer wins every time as well.
I think it's GORGEOUS. I would probably put the WORDS The Shard the same color the shard is supposed to be (isn't it a blue-green, or am I making that up?) and then maybe your NAME in gold (as that would be across the color-wheel and opposites make pleasing aesthetics, but I think it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful (and creative) friend!
ReplyDeletep.s. - love your taste in rock-n-roll :)
Maria, I know it is eye-catching, but it doesn't fit the tone of the story. It is too flashy and colorful. To me something that was more solid, perhaps like stone, would suit the mood better.
ReplyDeleteHey, does no one read my buddy's little jokes on the cover? I thought they were pretty funny!
ReplyDeletejokes? i thought king actually thought you were the next tolkien?!?!?
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing. Reading the blurb kind of makes me want to play Lord of the Rings Online again...or WoW. Darn husband is playing WoW now, but I've been off the stuff for over a year to concentrate on my writing (flying takes a long time, but not long enough to write anything).
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't write on a plane either!
ReplyDeleteNow that is a cool friend! Honestly, though... it is very eye-catching and I would have picked that book up. Even the font is cool. I have an advertising art degree, I like it. :D
ReplyDelete