Getting new stories to readers has never been easier, thanks to recent developments in technology and the bookselling market. Over the last year I’ve watched all my dreams of becoming a fantasy writer come true, in a way that wasn’t even possible ten years ago. There’s never been a better time to be a writer.
But as easy as publishing has become, there’s still a big roadblock when it comes to finding cover art. As a writer, I feel qualified to make a story worth reading. I feel qualified to pick the proper sales categories and write the product description. But I can’t make the beautiful piece of art I’d need to catch people’s eyes and let them know what kind of story they’re in for.
As a result, I’ve got lots of stories written, reviewed, and ready to share, but they’re stuck on my server, unread, for want of a pretty picture. That’s unfortunate, and we have a chance to fix it here.
I’ve posted a general call to share your fan artwork inspired by my stories, but the most useful kind of fan art would be something I could use to release some of those unpublished works.
If you’d like to contribute a cover to that cause, you can browse the excerpts below. Some will come with a rough description of an image that strikes me as a good one, but my real goal is for you to take your inspiration from the words themselves.
You don’t need to design the title text or put my name on it. I have really good people for that. All I need is illustration.
Well, I’ll also need your permission to use your art for a cover, but I won’t require any major commitment from you. You’ll retain your copyright, you’ll be welcome to post the art anywhere you want and use it however you want. If you later decide you don’t want me using it, notify me in writing and I’ll cease and desist within five days.
If the idea sounds acceptable to you (or, better yet, if it sound like fun), check out some of the excerpts below, then submit your cover candidates here.
Maybe soon you’ll be featured with the other artists on my Cover Art page.