tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post4765808767641068616..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: Cover ArtMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-42106072683300320842011-08-28T14:45:52.792-06:002011-08-28T14:45:52.792-06:00Awesome post! Being a former artist, (read out of ...Awesome post! Being a former artist, (read out of practice!) you gave me a lot of ideas for the covers for my mss. Hello from a fellow Campaigner!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06491077458303706384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-68486874798748680472011-08-26T13:51:27.290-06:002011-08-26T13:51:27.290-06:00I think I like boring in some respects. By that I...I think I like boring in some respects. By that I mean clean, simple line. The House on the Corner is interesting and fits in with the creepiness, but the font would drive me nuts if it was my book. Again, I think my taste would run to neat and boring. :)<br /><br />The 'Where You Belong' cover isn't bad. I look through the window and wonder what's out there. <br /><br />I guess it's a case of to each his own.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-60730520120689036852011-08-26T12:50:59.803-06:002011-08-26T12:50:59.803-06:00I have just become a HUGE fan of Rusty's work....I have just become a HUGE fan of Rusty's work. Heading to his blog now.Munkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04921320770712443773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-77289386368058207322011-08-25T20:21:01.827-06:002011-08-25T20:21:01.827-06:00These are wonderfully eye-catching book covers, Ru...These are wonderfully eye-catching book covers, Rusty; thank you so much for sharing them with us, Michael. I'd be hard put to choose a favorite.<br /><br />BTW, Michael, I've left a response to your comment at http://michellefayard.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-write-ya-memoir.html.Michelle Fayardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05323853315988838877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-30886536322800982282011-08-25T10:34:58.925-06:002011-08-25T10:34:58.925-06:00Beautiful artwork! I really loved the one with the...Beautiful artwork! I really loved the one with the crumbling towers.<br /><br />A fellow Fantasy Campaigner stopping by to say hello!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-3340288366963985702011-08-25T00:59:14.645-06:002011-08-25T00:59:14.645-06:00Rusty definitely does make stunning cover art. I ...Rusty definitely does make stunning cover art. I love a good cover, but wonder if they matter quite as much with so much of the publishing sector being electronic.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-88782847752408761292011-08-25T00:17:28.809-06:002011-08-25T00:17:28.809-06:00I love these covers. The Snow Queen and the Summer...I love these covers. The Snow Queen and the Summer Queen are just beautiful. Reading this post makes me wish I could draw! <br /><br />See you on the Campaign - I'm in your dystopia group.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12314617048592538691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-29116333949250992152011-08-24T22:21:15.886-06:002011-08-24T22:21:15.886-06:00First time I've seen cover art reviewed. Awes...First time I've seen cover art reviewed. Awesome.<br /><br />I judge a book by its cover too. If I really like it, and buy the book, I'll be disappointed if it doesn't reflect the main plot or MC of the novel.<br /><br />Love Rusty's work. His novel is on my list to be read.<br /><br />......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-45339908252039278082011-08-24T21:48:58.674-06:002011-08-24T21:48:58.674-06:00Oh wow, that cover art really is gorgeous. Love th...Oh wow, that cover art really is gorgeous. Love the Asimov one. <br /><br />I agree that digital cover art lacks something sometimes. If I see one more cover with feminine hands cupping something (rose petals, an apple, ect.), I think I will scream. Someone needs to do a parody where it's absolutely grotesque yet they're still holding it in this dainty fashion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-54047720233673454422011-08-24T21:24:37.755-06:002011-08-24T21:24:37.755-06:00I love it! Cover art is so important! Glad you are...I love it! Cover art is so important! Glad you are so blatant with what you don't like. I'm often too nice to say what I think sometimes. Not to say you're not nice. NEver mind. My foot's getting lodged in deeper and deeper...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-59522606086446754542011-08-24T21:06:50.390-06:002011-08-24T21:06:50.390-06:00I think the cover on "Where you belong" ...I think the cover on "Where you belong" works-- although to qualify, I am going from the title and what I sense it might be about, I haven't read it. And it wouldn't keep me from reading it (although the fact that I don't have a e-reader does...) Rusty's art is terrific and perfect for the covers he designed. Although to qualify... I think he'd probably do his best work on things that are within his interest. I would guess that if I asked him to design mine, for example, it would be a harder fit. I have something in mind but I've worked with an artist before for a bit on my piece and she just didn't quite get what I needed. She did a gorgeous piece, don't get me wrong, but it was not what I needed. So maybe Rusty could design a great cover for Mutt or maybe not. Literary works are different than horror or scifi.Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-14958902324340143422011-08-24T20:23:07.983-06:002011-08-24T20:23:07.983-06:00nice post :Pnice post :PSylarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08417258739344447719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-90952727149473174512011-08-24T19:01:07.862-06:002011-08-24T19:01:07.862-06:00Rusty does some awesome stuff!
And Whelen is a ma...Rusty does some awesome stuff!<br /><br />And Whelen is a master.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-20250942380348181662011-08-24T17:58:31.821-06:002011-08-24T17:58:31.821-06:00Ooh, I really like the cover of The House on Corne...Ooh, I really like the cover of The House on Corner. The lettering rocks, and I love the lonely tree to the left. <br /><br />Cover design has got to be a tough beast to tackle, for sure. I'm a visual sort of person and I totally judge books by their covers.CherylAnne Hamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02324135447961686703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-45589051901761796002011-08-24T16:11:41.299-06:002011-08-24T16:11:41.299-06:00Howdy fellow campaigner!
Just stopping by to say ...Howdy fellow campaigner!<br /><br />Just stopping by to say hullo. Looking forward to getting to know you & all the others!Jill W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13154417703559169377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-70354188758518363322011-08-24T15:19:47.836-06:002011-08-24T15:19:47.836-06:00I did enjoy it and I agree, it can definitely make...I did enjoy it and I agree, it can definitely make a big difference, even if it shouldn't.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08784491097515022839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-32981120248301678122011-08-24T14:52:59.122-06:002011-08-24T14:52:59.122-06:00Michael Whelan's art is so amazing and beautif...Michael Whelan's art is so amazing and beautiful. If I could have a cover done by him, I'd up and die of shock and pleasure.<br /><br />But I agree. Covers are horribly important aspects of selling, and if a cover is just short of fantastic, sales are going to show it. I've learned through my own trial and error that you need to have somebody at least semi-professional help, even if it means spending some money on it. It pays off in the long run.Elisa DeLanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466740168508428362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-29186670970284906072011-08-24T14:32:39.068-06:002011-08-24T14:32:39.068-06:00Ayup, I like you already. Utah denizen, fan of Mic...Ayup, I like you already. Utah denizen, fan of Michael Whelan, speculative fiction writer...I think we'll get along on the campaign trail together just fine ;)Angela Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15598455060979053040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-45479923450258112752011-08-24T13:10:48.950-06:002011-08-24T13:10:48.950-06:00Those last Queens are stunning!
This is more of a...Those last Queens are stunning!<br /><br />This is more of a side note about popular YA fiction for girls: the cover has to be PRETTY. It doesn't matter what the book is about, if you can have a pretty girl in a beautiful dress, book bloggers will squee and moan over the prettiness. Double if there's a corset.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-87939419891960138762011-08-24T12:48:06.303-06:002011-08-24T12:48:06.303-06:00Beautiful art! I have to admit the first one real...Beautiful art! I have to admit the first one really caught my eye - I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't MY House on the Corner in the picture ;-)Donna @ The House on the Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11996281285406090119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-67188016698489168482011-08-24T11:00:18.614-06:002011-08-24T11:00:18.614-06:00Awesome post. I'm becoming more and more of a ...Awesome post. I'm becoming more and more of a fan of Rusty as every day passes. He is an amazing writer and artist.Ellie Garratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03731071128348213067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-34711006423974020832011-08-24T10:42:08.530-06:002011-08-24T10:42:08.530-06:00It's amazing how much a cover art can tell you...It's amazing how much a cover art can tell you about a book (or not tell you as well.) I know i've picked stuff up just because the cover caught my attention.Alyson Burdettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16916059117572619004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-31634107901155212812011-08-24T10:10:09.893-06:002011-08-24T10:10:09.893-06:00So what works for some doesn't work for others...So what works for some doesn't work for others.<br /><br />I like the Vallar cover art - -it's pretty good, but it also has a 1960s sci-fi sort of feel to it, like it should be on a Bradbury book.<br /><br />The first one you put up is definitely the best of the bunch, but look what Rusty had to work with; horror works (I assume that's what it is?) frequently have better covers because they can evoke emotions.<br /><br />(I'm hoping to use Rusty for cover art one of these days.)<br /><br />But I like the art for "Where You Belong." I instantly got a feel of HOME -- the coat rack, the chair, the hazy glow -- all said "Comfy" and "a little nostalgic," which seemed to fit the title perfectly.<br /><br />The other Dilloway one, I also liked, but that's just me being me -- it's got cleavage, so I'm looking at it.<br /><br />My favorite cover for my own books is on "Just Exactly How Life Looks." It's a white cover with the title, my name, and a thin, slightly-bent, blue line a little below the center. It means nothing until you actually read one of the stories, after which you realize where the title and the art come from, but it's visually arresting, too (I think.)<br /><br />Unfortunately (or fortunately) the CreateSpace version of that book won't have that cover -- which is a different thought altogether: with electronic books becoming more popular, and POD books likely to be the last bastion of "real" books, why bother with covers at all? Or with just one cover.<br /><br />But until then, and all other things being equal, everyone in the world should have Rusty Webb do their cover art, because he's awesome.Brianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01616494058636881575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-70121269138638509342011-08-24T10:06:59.739-06:002011-08-24T10:06:59.739-06:00Whoa! I click on your blog this morning and there ...Whoa! I click on your blog this morning and there is Andrew's cover. Awesome! Thanks for the kind words, better than I deserve. I have to say that I think good covers are hard, really hard. Often I will be in a store and something will catch my eye and I'll pick it up and wonder what it was that made it work. Sometimes the individual elements will be lacking but the overall look will be amazing... the whole thing is a big mystery to me. I've often had this brilliant idea, then when I make it, something just isn't right... then I have to keep tinkering until it's right. It's a lot like writing in that sense. You just keep plugging away at it until it's something you're happy with.<br /><br />I do think Yellow is a powerful color, I'd never heard Whelan's thoughts about the color, but I'd think his is an opinion worth listenting too. They guy is/was amazing. The only color I try to only use sparingly is green. I've read that books with green covers tend to sell poorly, you won't find many that color at the bookstore. Weird.<br /><br />I generally like more muted color schemes myself, but with my novelette I was thinking of how it will look as a one inch square thumbnail. I hoped it would scream a little - it would almost have to in order too get anyone's attention. I'm a crappy self marketer anyway - so I crossed my fingers and hoped the bright cover would at least catch someone's eye. <br /><br />But I probably spent 3 hours creating my own cover, and at least 15 on Andrew's - including several varations before settling on the final design. If that cover is better it's because it had a lot more work put into it.<br /><br />Anyway, I like Cindy's new cover quite a bit myself. I'm glad she changed it. I love covers with cities on them, flying cities, domed cities, ruined cities, floating cities... I'm a sucker for all of them.<br /><br />And your welcome Andrew, I'm thrilled you liked it.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-91064069426066473622011-08-24T09:41:45.621-06:002011-08-24T09:41:45.621-06:00I really try to divorce myself from the cover art ...I really try to divorce myself from the cover art when choosing a book, especially since the cover art so commonly done by someone who has neither read the book nor knows the author. I tend to lean toward titles in my book choosing; at least, the author (usually) has some say in that.<br /><br />That being said, I know how important cover art is. When I first released my book, I went with no cover art, just the title on a dark background, hoping that would invoke the feeling I wanted, because the options for creating my own cover art were pretty much crap. I knew when I went back to do the second edition that I needed real cover art for the book, though. It just didn't cut it not having anything the first time. Rusty did a fabulous job! and I can't thank him enough for it. I'm still saying it, in fact, "Thank you, Rusty!"Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.com