Cover Art - what would you do? - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

dwndrgn · 5th July 2006, 05:03 PM

Ok, many of us complain about certain covers or enthuse about favorite ones. So, take any book you care to and describe how you would choose to illustrate the cover of it, if it were up to you. For anyone who has not read whichever book you choose, please include a plot summary.

As soon as I finish pondering this, I'll post mine.

dwndrgn · 6th July 2006, 02:42 PM

Ok, well, I am unable to paste a copy of a book cover here for some odd reason so I'll add a link to the book at amazon and that will also serve to show a plot summary (wow, am I lazy or what?).

Here's a new cover created for the 25th anniversary edition of the Sword of Shannara series: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/034...lance&n=283155

To begin with, I like the way this one is laid out, it is simple and pleasing to the eye without any jarring bits. Since it is one book containing the three books of the original series, it doesn't take truly specific images from the story. They have the sword as central (although, it seems to me that this sword doesn't match the description, but it's been a while since I read it and I could have it confused with a hundred other swords I've read about since...), and surrounding the sword is the giant S. The background of generic countryside could be anywhere, anytime and sort of illustrates the idea of travel. Then there are the clouds and illuminations therein...sort of a foreshadowing of trouble to come on those travels.

So, I like it but I think it could have been better. What do you think?

Neurolanis · 16th July 2006, 10:45 PM

I never like cover art, or rarely ever, to be honest. Seems to be most covers are too bland, too polished, or too unimaginative for my taste.

Marky Lazer · 17th July 2006, 09:14 AM

One of the worst covers art is on Chuck Palahniuk's Haunted. Both American as the English edition.

Luckily on Palahniuk's official website, fans submit there own covers, which are tons better. It would be so nice so have a fan-base like Palahniuk has.

Joel007 · 4th August 2006, 03:35 PM

I love the cover to Mark Robson's new book

I don't know how to post pictures though

http://www.chronicles-network.com/fo...tml#post179075

5th July 2006, 05:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,671	Cover Art - what would you do? Ok, many of us complain about certain covers or enthuse about favorite ones. So, take any book you care to and describe how you would choose to illustrate the cover of it, if it were up to you. For anyone who has not read whichever book you choose, please include a plot summary. As soon as I finish pondering this, I'll post mine.

6th July 2006, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,671	Re: Cover Art - what would you do? Ok, well, I am unable to paste a copy of a book cover here for some odd reason so I'll add a link to the book at amazon and that will also serve to show a plot summary (wow, am I lazy or what?). Here's a new cover created for the 25th anniversary edition of the Sword of Shannara series: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/034...lance&n=283155 To begin with, I like the way this one is laid out, it is simple and pleasing to the eye without any jarring bits. Since it is one book containing the three books of the original series, it doesn't take truly specific images from the story. They have the sword as central (although, it seems to me that this sword doesn't match the description, but it's been a while since I read it and I could have it confused with a hundred other swords I've read about since...), and surrounding the sword is the giant S. The background of generic countryside could be anywhere, anytime and sort of illustrates the idea of travel. Then there are the clouds and illuminations therein...sort of a foreshadowing of trouble to come on those travels. So, I like it but I think it could have been better. What do you think?

16th July 2006, 10:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Neurolanis Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 4	Re: Cover Art - what would you do? I never like cover art, or rarely ever, to be honest. Seems to be most covers are too bland, too polished, or too unimaginative for my taste.

17th July 2006, 09:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Marky Lazer Plastic Paddy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,737	Re: Cover Art - what would you do? One of the worst covers art is on Chuck Palahniuk's Haunted. Both American as the English edition. Luckily on Palahniuk's official website, fans submit there own covers, which are tons better. It would be so nice so have a fan-base like Palahniuk has.

4th August 2006, 03:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Joel007 Shiny! Let's be bad guys. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 1,747	Re: Cover Art - what would you do? I love the cover to Mark Robson's new book I don't know how to post pictures though http://www.chronicles-network.com/fo...tml#post179075

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