I love cover art. Checking out new covers, and trying to figure out clues about what's hidden inside, is one of the many things I love about books.
I've bought books purely based on their covers. So yeah, I'm a fan.
If it's for a story I've written, I love imagining what the cover might look like. I can't help but wonder what the artist might come up with. But nothing beats actually seeing what a cover artist comes up with for the first time. It's so exciting.
Today, I want to talk about this beauty:
This eerie cover was made by Adrian Baldwin and I love it.
One of the coolest things about the Short Sharp Shocks! series is that as soon as you see one, you know that it's part of the series.
One of the coolest things about the Short Sharp Shocks! series is that as soon as you see one, you know that it's part of the series.
Sure, they all have the cool and eye-catching crimson Demain Publishing border, but it's more than that. Every cover is pitch black, and features one element that fits perfectly with the story: a single image lost in all that darkness. Something that's somehow highly appropriate to each book.
I love the seemingly simplicity of these covers. At first glance, they appear so simple, but there are many unexpected layers. Whatever is featured on the cover is directly related to the story that follows, but the reader won't know exactly how it fits until they read the book.
Take my one. On the surface, BREAKING THE HABIT is a story about newlyweds eager to get their honeymoon started. It's also a tense and bloody, heartbreaking story about a woman with a dark secret and a past she's desperately trying to outrun. When I tried to picture the cover, I couldn't wait to see what the artist would come up with.
Then I saw the cabin/cottage and fell in love with it instantly. It's genius! The perfect image to provide a hint of the story without any spoilers. The place where BREAKING THE HABIT is actually set is the only possible image that could convey so much in such a spooky way.
The darkness surrounding the cabin/cottage is also perfect, because it reflects so much about the turmoil inside Isla's mind. As well as what's going on at this precise moment in her life.
See, so many clues are hidden in this awesome cover. Of course, I wrote the story so I see a lot more than the casual observer, but if you read the book you'll definitely understand what I'm talking about.
Hope you enjoyed my thoughts on Adrian's great cover. 😁
My Short Sharp Shocks! story is now available from:
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