I was grappling with ideas for my next blog post when I received an email from a first-time reader. His question, “Where do you get your book cover designs? LOVE them!” That got me to thinking.
Brainwash
After I completed the rough draft of Brainwash and polished the book several times, I sent the manuscript to my editor. In the course of conversation, I asked her if she knew a good book cover designer. Without hesitation she replied, “Fiona of Fiona Raven Book Design.”
Those ghoulish zombie-looking characters on the cover were her idea, and I’ve had a lot of compliments on the design. She also suggested splitting the book’s title, Brainwash, into two words to make the title larger, more “grabby.”
Gadgets
As for Gadgets, the cover images were a no-brainer: hot air balloons. All I had to do was pull from my collection of photographs—the 800+ shots I had snapped during my attendance at two Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiestas.
In fact, while photographing the events, I found myself contemplating the gruesome thought of shooting a hot air balloon out of the sky, not with a conventional projectile, but with something more technologically advanced. With my background in medical lasers while working for an ophthalmic corporation, I thought, “Laser? Hmm. Why not?”
Genocide
In keeping with the morbid plot line, a morgue scene with dead bodies piling up seemed fitting for the cover. As for the book’s colors, I drew upon the premise for Genocide: Sean Ireland, the first gay presidential candidate in US history, is guaranteed the election—until he’s found dead at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
Throughout history, the color purple, has had special significance. By the mid-20th century, it and its vibrant cousin lavender had become synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community. To complement my purple/lavender choice, I went with a vivid lime green. In retrospect, a darker green would’ve been more complimentary and striking.
During a visit to Vancouver, BC, I had the chance to meet Fiona. I spent a delightful day touring Granville Island and after lunch met with her. She was putting the finishing touches to my cover for Genocide. Not long thereafter, Fiona retired and sold her business. That’s when I hired Alan and Ian of the Book Designers (https://bookdesigners.com/) to do the paperback and Kindle versions of Genocide, as well as the audiobook for Brainwash.
CLON-X
Again, the book’s plot guided my choice for the cover. Out for a run in Keller, Texas, former FBI Special Agent Darcy McClain and her giant schnauzer Bullet find a canvas sack submerged in a creek. Inside are the pulverized remains of renowned geneticist Dr. Catherine (Cate) Lord, who has been receiving death threats for her alleged research on human cloning.
Pulverized remains. Red of course for the background. As for the central emblem on the cover, I chose a DNA strand for human cloning. The text for the title and author name was an easy decision—another one of my favorite colors: turquoise.
Blue Angel
While writing Blue Angel, my mind wandered to what the cover would look like. My imagination played upon the dark, life-altering secrets that would challenge Darcy throughout the plot. That’s when I envisioned a black background for the cover. As for the blue angel, would the person be good or bad? Regardless, I chose blue for the title and author color. As for the book cover image? Hold that thought. You’ll know soon!
From blog posts, my thoughts skipped to a recent lunch engagement in Historic Downtown Grapevine. The Original Texas Bowl of Red was, as always, delicious at Tolbert’s Restaurant and Chili Parlor. After lunch we made the short jaunt from Tolbert’s to Talking Animals Books, a small community bookstore co-owned by Valerie Walizadeh and Katy Lemieux, and the first and only independent bookstore in Grapevine. And there’s great news. They now have two locations: 103 W. Worth Street and 909 S. Main Street. If you’re visiting the DFW Metroplex, do check them out. If not in person, then take a virtual tour.