So… I really can't tell you how lucky I feel about my whole experience so far with my editor, the lovely and supersmart Amanda Rutter of Strange Chemistry, and her robot overlords, the team at Angry Robot Books (which is known for producing some fabulous covers, among many other things). I know many first-time authors have no clue what their cover art might come out as and aren't consulted at all.
When I was filling out my author questionnaire one of the questions was whether I had any ideas about cover art and especially any no-nos. I very helpfully responded, essentially, "Not Bad. I like Good Covers." And when Amanda came back to me a couple of weeks later with a cover concept, I was like, "This is why I am the author and you are the publisher." Because the concept was so perfect and cool, and of course nothing I'd have ever thought of. But, you know, one is still NERVOUS. But then a first version of the art came in and I got a little peek and I thought, whew, I really like it. Today, however, Amanda has posted the final cover art and it is Even Better. I truly think it's striking (no pun intended–the artist is Steven Wood), and I love that it's also thematically right and will be even richer in meaning for actual readers.
The basic concept comes from the fact that protagonist Miranda Blackwood's father has a strawberry-colored snake-shaped birthmark that symbolizes the Blackwood family's supposed curse. I'm putting a smaller version here, but: Go look! Ogle! Admire! Embiggen! Leave Comments!
What think you? I personally can't wait to see the final cover composition.
More about le book itself here.
Drool worthy and a definite standout on the shelves! Strange Chem is setting the bar high for themselves with this one!!
This cover is a great hook, suggesting so much about the story behind it. I want to know what all the numbers reference! The colors and composition are just beautiful and I love this art style. I will have to check out more of Steven Wood’s work.
*publisher sister squeal*
Beautiful!! I love all of the movement in the image. Definitely eye-catching.
Thank you! I really do love it — the numbers reference the number of people in the Lost Colony and then who go missing now in the story. I think it’s cool he worked that in and the sort of carving/chalked style of them kind of gets across the mystery/puzzle element.
See how great I am at talking about art? It is a good thing I am not responsible. 🙂
(Your cover is also dynamite, btw.)
Thank you, darls! 🙂
Oh, Gwenda, arresting image! I loveeee the snake and can’t wait to see the final thing!
Thank you, dahlink! I can’t wait either. 🙂
Wow. I am so glad I can now look at an image of snake fangs without letting out an ear-piercing shriek.
Great cover!
Thank you, darls! (And sorry for any shrieking. 🙂