Book Cover Design of the Week

Cover art by Jason Pedersen

Not only have I decided to do a weekly book giveaway, but I have also decided to do a ‘best cover design of the week.’ I have chosen the cover art of Charles Yallowitz’s Legends of Windmere ‘Beginning of a Hero.‘ The cover artist is Jason Pedersen.

I want to take the time to appreciate everything this cover does right. For one thing, the illustrations are beautiful. I normally prefer photography over illustrations, but this one is so clear on the main subject, so focused in, that the illustration works perfectly. Plus, this book is high fantasy, and illustrations seem to suit high fantasy more.

I also love the color palette: browns, dark greens, golds, and the shock of red. It gives off very earthen tones that suggest the novel is very much an adventure book. Look at the man’s face too. It’s sinister, filled with some sort of malicious intent. His entire stance, too, suggests action, a fight about to begin. And of course we can’t forget the dog, which we can assume is his companion. This dog looks loyal, ready to fight. In fact, the illustration itself is so action- oriented I can imagine this man flourishing his weapon at whatever threat lies ahead, and the dog ready to leap out and join. The glint on the weapon ties this action feeling in nicely.

I enjoy the text chosen as well. It’s suitable for a fantasy novel. The shades of green used in the title and author name pull the illustration in nicely. I also like that ‘Beginning of a Hero’ is a lighter shade of green to draw attention to it. The black border puts emphasis on everything, further highlighting the earthen tones and making this cover art very catchy. In fact, the cover art is what interested me in the summary of the book in the first place. It’s just so well-done–how can I not want to know more about this book?

Jason Pedersen did an amazing job with this cover, and I hope you guys think so too. It’s always helpful to look at cover designs and analyze what they did right. Anyone going the indie route needs to put serious careful thought and consideration into cover art because it will make or break a book. It is clear Mr. Yallowitz has, and it is clear Mr. Pedersen put as much thought and consideration into accurately reflecting the adventurous theme of this book. I have a copy myself, and while it’s been difficult to find time for reading, I hope to find time to devour it soon

 

 

 

 

 

The Dancing Writer’s Chamber

My messy writing desk…and my cat.

I primarily write at this messy desk you see to the left. But I’ll on occasion write in my bed when my body isn’t feeling up to supporting itself on a chair. Every Saturday I’ll probably be writing at Panera Bread, and I’d like to start writing outside when the weather permits. But mostly, that disorganized desk is where I do everything.

I’ve never been an organized person. I try to be, but it all falls apart. But, hey, my messiness has worked for 22 years of my life. I am an organized mess.

So where I write isn’t anything special. I might even write at work sometimes, if lulls permit.

How long do I tend to write? I try to write a chapter a day, so this could be anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, or shorter, depending on the chapter. If I’m really in the mood and I don’t have anything else planned, I’ll do more than one chapter. The most I’ve ever written in a day–besides being manic–was 8,000, and I was on a serious roll.

Tomorrow I plan to write in Stolentime, one chapter, because I have so much stuff to do tomorrow: get my pin number to register for classes at my uni, start designing a t-shirt I will use to promote my book, blog, social media to keep widening my audience, make stuff for the giveaway, and then of course ballet. I wouldn’t be The Dancing Writer without ballet, although I am going to have to start getting on to my boss about giving me my Monday nights. Ah, well, the summer intensive will be here soon, and I will be having that considering I’ll likely be paying for the entire thing ahead of time.

In any case, where do you all tend to write? How long do you write? Do you have word count goals?