Elf Realm


I really have no idea what this book is about. I bought it because it's in my genre, for one, but the main thing was the cover. Wow, look at that at image. Go ahead, I'll wait. Done? Cool. It's illustrated throughout by the author. Very nice charcoal drawings. It's also pretty big for a MG novel: 500 pgs., which must be at least 150,000 words.

So what's the cover image for your book? If you're published, what did you think of it? If you're not, what do you want it to convey? Kind of a weird question. But I need to post something because I've been lax of late and, um, this was the best thing I could think of.

16 comments:

Ray Veen said...

Reading your genre, eh?

Have you read 'Septimus Heap'? I hate 'em. Ditto with 'The Immortal Nicholas Flamel' and 'Levin Thumps'. Lotta crap out there, my friend.

There's also a few killers. 'Fablehaven', 'Artemis Fowl', 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians', and 'The Pendragon Chronicles' (which are also in the 150k word range).

If you've read any of those, tell me if you agree with my judgements.

Ronald L. Smith said...

Hey V. I have seen those books you mentioned in the stores but I have not bought them. I buy a lot but not everything. I read the first Artemis Fowl book; I can see the cover of Fablehaven in my head right now, although I have not read it; and Percy Jackson I know too, just from browsing. Pendragon I've never read, although I'm familiar with it. I do need to read it. Maybe I'll pick it up today.

I have read Garth Nix's Abhorsen books, Pullman's Dark Materials, Henry Neff's Hound of Rowan, Potter, Twilight (just to see what all the fuss was about) Mellisa Marr, Spiderwick, Dark is Rising, Coralie by Gaiman, City of Ember books, the Charlie Bone books, Inkheart trilogy and a lot of others that are escaping me right now.

When I'm browsing, I'm drawn to first-time novelists. I want to see what someone deemed worthy of publication. (Hey, I can do better than that I always say!)

Anonymous said...

Um, I'll have to discuss that topic with you privately, I'm afraid! ;)

The cover of that book is gorgeous, though.

Ray Veen said...

Reading Garth Nix 'Keys to the Kingdom'. Abhorsen rocked. Nix is awfully creative, but his writing is sometimes atrocious.

Loved the Ember books (DuPrau's agent is one that's considering one of my MS's). Also Spiderwick, which is okay, butI have issues with it. Holly Black's 'Tithe' series is incredible, but of course, it's for older teens, so, not really in our genre.

The others you've mentioned, I've not read. But you know, it's been fun chatting YA with you.

Ray Veen said...

One more thing: I haven't bought a one of 'em. Got them all from the library for free.

I also forgot to mention Pullman, which I loved. However, the atheism got a little heavy-handed in the second and third books.

Michele Thornton said...

Oh, I imagine one of those ever popular photos, showing Malika with a scar across her cheek, and a cool fantasy-ish illustrated background showing Troy in ruins. Movie starring Willow Smith (Will's daughter). Not that I've wasted any time fantasizing about it.

The cover you posted looks a lot like I imagine Max!

Ronald L. Smith said...

Devon, thanks for sharing that story. Very interesting.

V, I've read Tithe and Valiant by Holly Black. I've always been curious about Keys to the Kingdom. Will have to check it out from the library. (which I do support.) Good luck with the agent!

Hey Michele. I can totally see your book, Mark of Courage, with that cover. Malika rocks! I know it will happen. And you're right! I see Max in the cover image too. Maybe that's why I picked it up in the first place.

Carrie Harris said...

Yeah, I read all of the Abhorsen books and am now working my way through Nix's other stuff. He makes me gnash my teeth with envy. Seriously.

Ronald L. Smith said...

Carrie, here is a link to an interview with Garth Nix (how 'bout that name?) in Locus magazine. I think it's just an excerpt. If you scour the "Internets" I'm sure you can find the whole thing. It's a good read.

http://www.locusmag.com/2003/Issue01/Nix.html

Mary said...

That’s a great image!

I’ve had a mental picture of the cover of my first completed novel since I first sat down to write it. The colours are key: lots of lovely greens, and a cool but quirky illustration of the female protagonist. If it’s ever published, however, it will up to the designers to do their own thing.

Oddly, I have no image at all for the cover of my WIP.

Ray Veen said...

I promised myself I wasn't gonna clutter up your comment section anymore, but seriously - Garth Nix does some of the sloppiest writing I've ever seen in print.

And yet.

I also gnash my teeth with envy.

Rachel Hawkins said...

Personally, I see Demonglass's cover as having a girl in a private school uniform holding a big ass black sword. Or maybe that should actually be the album cover for some hair band from the 80s. Not sure.

Oh, and you should totally read the Percy Jackson series, and I'm not just saying that b/c Rick Riordan and I have the same editor. ;) They're highly enjoyable!

Ronald L. Smith said...

V-- you can leave as many comments as you wish, brother.

Rachel, thanks for dropping by again. Yes, that cover sounds very cool.

LOL. Big Ass Black Sword. Hereafter known as a BABS.

Can't wait to read your book.

Ronald L. Smith said...

Mary, sounds cool.Thanks for dropping by again.

Perhaps there's something behind that blank image in your psyche that needs to be pulled out. The theme? The desire of the protag?

Juliette Dominguez said...

Hey there R, well, I have to admit to being a huge fan of True Blood -- and the images they use in the title sequence are brilliant and atmospheric, so I would like something equally atmospheric for my GGSS cover -- in the same arena as Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, that kinda thing :)
See you @ WCW...

Ronald L. Smith said...

Jules, I like the titles for True Blood, too. Midnight/Garden, great, too. Lots of mossy trees and dark cemeteries, Savannah.

Can't wait to read more of GGSS.