dark-captives-v5-800x1131 It took a while and a bunch of different versions, but I finally finished the cover for the Reylian Orb manuscript, which is now titled “Dark Captives”.

This cover is the result of some research on cover design and photography both by myself and Dave, who helped with the lighting and the suggestions on the subject matter for the cover.  We both agreed on the final design, so even though it’s not the kind of cover you might traditionally see on erotica novels, it’s got a much more scifi feel to it and is still pretty sexy, (at least I think so).  There’s a lot of history behind this particular piece of art, actually.  It’s inspired by favorite covers from other novels we liked and thought had pretty terrific covers, such as Michael Whelan’s cover for Anne McCaffrey’s “Killashandra”, among others.

I suppose this cover meant more to me than even Peacekeeper, which meant a lot, because I really loved this novel and wanted to give it the treatment it deserves, with a beautiful cover I can be proud of as a writer and an artist.

Tell me what you think, I really want to hear from everyone.  About this cover, about erotica covers (e-book, print, anything) and about science fiction cover art.  What you guys think is important to me, because you’re the people we’re writing for and what you want in cover art is important as well.  I can use any information you all give me to pass along to publishers and other authors.

Believe me, your other favorite authors also want to know what you think.  I’ve talked to so many authors, famous and not so famous ones and something we all agree on is that we like to hear from our readers and we want their opinions heard by the publishers and the marketing departments that work for them.  In some cases, like my publisher, I get a lot more control over what is on my cover, but not everyone does.

Unfortunately in the ebook business, I’ve seen some great books with lousy covers and some lucky authors who get some terrific covers for their books.  It’s kind of hit and miss and I do have a tendency now, to select a potential publisher of my work by the quality of their covers (if they won’t let me do my own art).

I may just suggest this as a panel for the next convention I am invited to.  I am going to Leprecon in Tempe in May (more on that soon).