Under Cover

There will probably be a few tweaks, but for the most part, the cover has been finalized. The cover evolved, and then it split into two monsters, which, on closer inspection, were good companions and blended into one. I like the cover’s look, and it continues the simplicity of The Ghost of Gabriel’s Horn’s cover while also adding its own flavor and announcing the second title of The Fable Avenue Saga. I started doodling the cover around January 2013. It coincided with me straightening up the notes I had for this next installment, turning the first act of this book into an outline. I always had a vision, but I also looked at other book covers to try and bring that vision more into focus.

I’m particular about my covers. In a very pretentious way, lol! I want a “classic” feel to my works. I’m not trying to make the book something it’s not. The Ronin Poetz is my fanciest cover. The art by Ray Cosico is spectacular. But it doesn’t scream ‘faux graphic novel’ with its drawing. It’s stripped down, rugged and rough like both the story and poetry that makes up the narrative. And it’s inspired by Star Wars posters. But it makes its own statement outside of its inspiration. I had fun working with Ray Cosico, and had a lot of fun putting it together. He knew what I wanted the cover to look like, and he had the knowledge on how to make the cover be its own, separate itself from its inspiration.

I wasn’t 100% focused when first approaching my other covers. A Company of Moors was the easiest concept, and by that time, I had something. 12 Stories High was the hardest. I always wanted a classic feel for that one, but I didn’t get it until this final iteration. Code-47 didn’t hit home either with its first swing. But as I started to really understand what I wanted (i.e., a classical approach, vintage, something that looked like a classic book, simple in its design), I went back and arrived where 12 Stories High is now (perfect, in my opinion). With Code-47, I was inspired by heist films and books. And the ones with the greatest influence were the simple designs for the Ocean’s movies.

When it comes down to it, I like the simple covers. I prefer the title being the heaviest thing that exists in the space. And though this cover will go through some more tweaks, the layout of it all is finished.

So what’s in other news? I’ve finished tightening all the acts of the manuscript. Now it’s all in the hands of the editors, and I’ll probably get the first blood-drenched, red-inked, manuscript massacre toward the end of the July. We’ll start our meetings. We’ll go over the edits and suggestions, and they’ll be applied. A second run through will be done throughout August, and we’ll have a first printed proof early September.

Over the weekend, a new teaser for Book II was created. It will be showcased after copyright.

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