WIP Cover for Butcher Vol. 3
Added 2025-09-03 20:44:50 +0000 UTCThis is how covers start. I toss out some ideas, and the artists at Aethon come up with something. They get feedback from me, and we figure out what is going to work best to get the attention of people on Amazon. I love this picture, but suggested less 'splash', more 'wispy smoke' and make the weapon a jagged harpoon. We'll go back and forth several times, and then the artist gets to work on his final cover.
Comments
Looks pretty good, aside from the splash of the water. What I think might be striking is emphasizing the colour of the raft as being darker than the smoke sea beneath it, since all its wood would be smoke-infused. It could give a subtle unreal touch to draw attention to the environment.
Jacob Diver
2025-09-04 13:39:27 +0000 UTCThis is a cover for Amazon, a different market. What you or I might think is a memorable scene might be too busy or 'off meta'. My publisher has a large amount of data on what type of covers are working best. Since they pay for it, and have the experience, I tend to make suggestions, but go with their opinions on many things. As time goes on (5th cover wer have worked on) it gets easier.
Michael Clark
2025-09-04 00:38:34 +0000 UTCThe view of the shark is good, and Iove the firey orange glow, but I have to honestly question that situation being depicted on the cover. And I don't just mean Woodrat's missing hat! (If he has his sword, he has his hat!) The thrusting up of the "volcano" in the distance while Woodrat and Ozzy wave to the Dauntless while Whale-skiing would be solid gold. A shot of everyone's favourite Auric-hulled Lady shining in the back, while our heroes decimate a swarm of charred, back-to back amidst the Sargasso would be solid goddamn platinum. A scene of the kraken tackling a tornado, or the monolithic Quadtrireme of Lost Souls about to ram the Dauntless might be amazing if you intend to split Ozzy's smokey experience up, and need a second cover. This scene you have? ...Honestly? It's a little lame. (Sorry)🤔
Ormus Von Orbulon
2025-09-03 22:07:31 +0000 UTC
