Here's the cover for my next novel, The Office of Shadow, the sequel to Midwinter. It continues the story of the struggle between the Seelie Kingdom of Queen Titania and the Empire of Mab. It's a story of high adventure and espionage in Faerie; if Midwinter was "The Dirty Dozen with elves," then this is "The Sandbaggers with Elves." That fellow on the cover is Silverdun, Mauritane's stalwart companion from Midwinter, and the young lady with him is Sela, a new character with an extremely weird and troubled past.
The beautiful cover artwork is by Chris McGrath, and the cover design is by Grace M. Conti-Zilsberger. (Click the image to embiggen.)
In other news, I've sold the German rights for both Midwinter and Office of Shadow to Verlagsgruppe Lübbe. Will I become the David Hasselhoff of fantasy literature? Only time will tell.
Can't wait for the book! Loved Midwinter!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of cover?
ReplyDeleteUmm, it wouldn't cause me to pick up the book in a store.
ReplyDeleteI like the typeface used, its size, and colour. And I like the title being large. And I like its silver frame with the beiges, browns, and silvery-gray colours enclosed within the frame. The frame definitely keeps my eyes from wandering outside the cover, and that usually is the purpose of a frame, even in quilting (one of my fibre arts). And I like the light coloured parts being at the top, thereby drawing your eyes upward.
But a cover consisting of a man and a woman? Not interesting. It also gives me the impression that the book is just about the man and the woman, and nothing else.
Well, he has his hand on a sword and she's looking furtively! But I appreciate your honest opinion very much. Let's me know when you think we've hit it.
ReplyDeleteI thought about this cover again last night, as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep (I suffer from insomnia). And I realized the basic problem with the cover, for me anyway, is that it just doesn't entice me. There isn't anything there that makes me want to "enter" the art & go explore. To be truthful, I didn't even notice that his hand was on a sword - I just thought he had it tucked in his belt, an action I have seen numerous males do, & therefore not unknown. And I think her "looking furtively" comes more from knowing the story, I don't see her that way at all. In fact, to me she looks rather detached from everything.
ReplyDeleteBut it is a very well-done cover, & you should be proud of your team! It just doesn't grab me.
Currently reading Noonshade.
Knowing the story? You presume the author has delivered the story.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry, I thought you had read it. That'll teach me not to assume things.
ReplyDeleteI am eagerly awaiting Book 3 of Chronicles of the Raven!
Anyway, now that I've read all 3 books featured in the right-hand panel here, I've started The Windup Girl - 46 pages into it & I want to stay up all night to read the whole thing. And since hubby is sick, I just might. (Actually I did read a quickie Sirantha Jax novel [Ann Aguirre] yesterday to give my brain a rest.)
Bought one of the first copies and got Paolo to sign it, but it will be forever before I can read it. Fortunately, I'm very into what I'm reading now. Can't say what that is yet though.
ReplyDeleteBought one of the first copies and got Paolo to sign it, but it will be forever before I can read it. Fortunately, I'm very into what I'm reading now. Can't say what that is yet though.
ReplyDeleteFinished windup Girl yesterday. Wow! Next please.
ReplyDeleteOrdered 4 spring/summer 2010 Pyr books - 2 McDonald, Office of Shadow, & Prince of Storms. Did Martiniere do Ares of Express?
Yup, to match Desolation Road. And thank you !
ReplyDeleteHey, you know that's the paperback of Prince of Storms, right? The hardcover comes out sooner. Don't know which you are buying.
ReplyDelete