Surprise, surprise–BIG update here (well, at least for me, as I unfortunately can’t ’show’ you what I mean, only tell you).
I HAVE RECEIVED MY FIRST LOOK
OF A POTENTIAL ”THE CAIN LETTERS” BOOK COVER!!
I know, I know…you all need to irish jig with me and dance naked under the full moon. Pretty cool.
Which brings me to my topic and question here on “Writing and Reading”:
First off, check out Buffi BeCraft, hot cover artist for Eirelander Publishing, the mistress-mind (is that even a word? Felt kind of weird calling her the “mastermind”) behind the potential cover to my novel. And, sorry, folks–can’t show it until I’m given the OK to post it.
My immediate reaction to the potential cover created by Buffi was one of ecstasy, existentialism, and immortal ire of unmistakable anti-enmity and enigma for the darkness and shadows of evil eclipsed by beauty and insurmountable sensuality.
Yes. She is that good. I absolutely loved the cover.
I, of course, wanted to see even more, given it’s a “first draft”, potential cover. Maybe something darker, even. Low-key, low lighting? I give away too much. I must stop. Too tantalizing.
It brings the question: how does a cover artist brainstorm? What goes into the making of a cover?
I know I’ve posted before on book covers here, but an even tighter investigation begs for a revelation into the fantastic mind of that all-glamorous cover artist, the person we authors adore with a passion (if I could serve Buffi cakes and tea and offer her fountains of glory in her glorious name, I would) because they bring our story to life…visually.
I have a unique perspective here, which is why I bring up this question about cover artists.
I have an intimacy with my novel probably more than the casual shopper in a bookstore witnessing THE CAIN LETTERS on a shelf and soaking in the imagery on the cover. I know the story already. I wrote it. So for me to look at the cover, honestly, I was…mystified. I kid you not.
It was as if I was looking at a book I had never read but wanted to read, wanted to buy. It looked interesting. Frightening and yet enticing at the same time. Again, I won’t go into details on that. But for crying out loud–I wrote the damn book! And there I was staring at that potential cover, and somehow the imagery conjured in me this need to explore the world created by it.
It makes me wonder how cover artists, specifically Buffi, come up with these particular ideas for covers. The symbolism. What’s the process? How does it work? Is there a formula? And, please, Buffi, if you are out there somewhere (preying on the blood of the innocent or howling at the moon or flying around with your demon wings into the night, whatever), please please please please please comment, give me your thoughts.
Or any cover artists, for that matter–give me your thoughts. I’m interested. Talk to me about your craft. Show me what it is that gives you the magic to make such beautiful cover art.
