Latest in my series - Firedancer

aibrean · 01-30-2013, 08:09 PM

So I designed the first two and then was on the fence on whether I'd continue the same visual theme. To begin with, I didn't know if I even wanted this book to be in the series, but the world-building was already there and if I was going to do two I should do a third.

Here are the first two:

Here is the latest one:

It's going to be about a fire mage in a word seemingly void of mages as magic has all but disappeared throughout the years. She is the daughter of a candle-maker in a more modern fantasy setting (compared with the other two). She decides to take a voyage on a dirigible with some explorers to see if there are fire mages on the other side of the world rather than be set to live as an outcast, as others fear her untrained gift would cause their forest homes to be destroyed.

Tigerlilly79 · 01-31-2013, 01:33 AM

I'm usually not a fan of faces on covers, but these are beautiful. Nice work.

Gale Haut · 01-31-2013, 02:27 AM

I really like the model in your newest cover, and I've never mentioned it before but I've noticed the covers in your sig really pop. When I look at these covers I can tell they are clearly part of the same series of YA novels.

Are you looking for critiques? Do you have any specific concerns?

aibrean · 01-31-2013, 11:26 AM

Tigerlily: I originally released (the first) without a face, but it seemed too bland. It needed character. Especially since each book is written first-person, it made sense to focus on one of the characters.

Gale: Thanks. I was making sure it blended well with the others, especially since the background is much lighter than the other two. I was so on the fence on the ethnicity of the model too. I saw a photo on DeviantART with an Indian woman and it inspired me. When I saw this and especially the gem on her forehead, I realized it could play well into the story.

Gale Haut · 01-31-2013, 12:12 PM

My impression is that the cover has enough similarities to connect it to the series, but enough differences to suggest a uniqueness from the series.

elindsen · 02-02-2013, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gale Haut

My impression is that the cover has enough similarities to connect it to the series, but enough differences to suggest a uniqueness from the series.

x10

Amanda R. · 02-02-2013, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gale Haut

My impression is that the cover has enough similarities to connect it to the series, but enough differences to suggest a uniqueness from the series.

I agree. The third one is similar, but more exotic and goes well with the title. I have noticed your covers before and thought they were very well done, but when I scrolled down and saw this new one my thought was "gorgeous."

aibrean · 02-02-2013, 04:21 PM

Thanks you two

It means a lot. I've decided to name her Banhi. It means flame in Sanskrit.

I posted on a writer group on Google+ and their feedback was my name was too hard too read (contrast-wise) and to make it larger. This is the same size as the other ones, just in black because I did try the white with a drop shadow and it didn't contrast as well I thought. Personally, I can make it out at 100px wide. I'm not concerned about making "A Tale of Orinda" legible at such a size as it's not the "name" of the book.

They also said it looked like something from Harlequin. I don't think it looks like a romance cover. First off, it's not even full profile. She doesn't look like she's trying to seduce anyone either...those are the trends I notice from HT.

Colleen Cowley · 04-10-2013, 12:35 AM

All three covers are beautiful, but I especially like the one for Firedancer.

01-30-2013, 08:09 PM	#1
aibrean Author, Designer, Imaginative Being Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 201	Latest in my series - Firedancer So I designed the first two and then was on the fence on whether I'd continue the same visual theme. To begin with, I didn't know if I even wanted this book to be in the series, but the world-building was already there and if I was going to do two I should do a third. Here are the first two: Here is the latest one: It's going to be about a fire mage in a word seemingly void of mages as magic has all but disappeared throughout the years. She is the daughter of a candle-maker in a more modern fantasy setting (compared with the other two). She decides to take a voyage on a dirigible with some explorers to see if there are fire mages on the other side of the world rather than be set to live as an outcast, as others fear her untrained gift would cause their forest homes to be destroyed. __________________ WIP - Infiltrate (Holo Book 2) [YA Sci-fi] Lady From Day won an ADDY for book design! My website

01-31-2013, 01:33 AM	#2
Tigerlilly79 Maybe I should see someone . . . Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: A Very Sunny Place Posts: 115	I'm usually not a fan of faces on covers, but these are beautiful. Nice work. __________________ TWITTER FACEBOOK You are responsible for the talent you have been entrusted with. Go work with it.

01-31-2013, 02:27 AM	#3
Gale Haut waxing digital artistic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: The Borderlands Posts: 2,301	I really like the model in your newest cover, and I've never mentioned it before but I've noticed the covers in your sig really pop. When I look at these covers I can tell they are clearly part of the same series of YA novels. Are you looking for critiques? Do you have any specific concerns? __________________ » Publishing Packages Available «

01-31-2013, 11:26 AM	#4
aibrean Author, Designer, Imaginative Being Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 201	Tigerlily: I originally released (the first) without a face, but it seemed too bland. It needed character. Especially since each book is written first-person, it made sense to focus on one of the characters. Gale: Thanks. I was making sure it blended well with the others, especially since the background is much lighter than the other two. I was so on the fence on the ethnicity of the model too. I saw a photo on DeviantART with an Indian woman and it inspired me. When I saw this and especially the gem on her forehead, I realized it could play well into the story. __________________ WIP - Infiltrate (Holo Book 2) [YA Sci-fi] Lady From Day won an ADDY for book design! My website

01-31-2013, 12:12 PM	#5
Gale Haut waxing digital artistic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: The Borderlands Posts: 2,301	My impression is that the cover has enough similarities to connect it to the series, but enough differences to suggest a uniqueness from the series. __________________ » Publishing Packages Available «

02-02-2013, 04:21 PM	#8
aibrean Author, Designer, Imaginative Being Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 201	Thanks you two It means a lot. I've decided to name her Banhi. It means flame in Sanskrit. I posted on a writer group on Google+ and their feedback was my name was too hard too read (contrast-wise) and to make it larger. This is the same size as the other ones, just in black because I did try the white with a drop shadow and it didn't contrast as well I thought. Personally, I can make it out at 100px wide. I'm not concerned about making "A Tale of Orinda" legible at such a size as it's not the "name" of the book. They also said it looked like something from Harlequin. I don't think it looks like a romance cover. First off, it's not even full profile. She doesn't look like she's trying to seduce anyone either...those are the trends I notice from HT. __________________ WIP - Infiltrate (Holo Book 2) [YA Sci-fi] Lady From Day won an ADDY for book design! My website Last edited by aibrean; 02-03-2013 at 12:04 AM.

04-10-2013, 12:35 AM	#9
Colleen Cowley figuring it all out Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: In my head, mostly. Posts: 90	All three covers are beautiful, but I especially like the one for Firedancer.

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