Reference ideas I gave to my cover artist
The official blurb for Empress of Beasts:
The apocalypse has come and gone but pack is forever.
The world is brand new after the merge, and not just the landscape. Magic is now a part of everyday life and Gretchen is not only an alpha, but Empress of the entire North East.
Anti-fae extremists are bent on eliminating Gretchen’s people, even the humans among them. They strike fast and brutal, leaving devastation in their wake. Even worse, the wolves are finding it impossible to track them to their home base.
A dark presence haunts Gretchen day and night along with the debilitating cacophony of voices inside her head. If she loses control of her magic, it could mean more than just the end of her life, but of every werewolf under her rule, maybe even her entire territory.
…
My cover artist has a pretty thorough questionnaire she uses, but she also asks for references to help get a clearer image of what the author has in mind. I recently commissioned the cover for Empress of Beasts and these are some of the pictures I sent her.
I added a note to the last slide about how I used to picture my main character, Gretchen. If you’d like to see how I see her now, check out Blunnderland on Instagram. If I could afford to hire her to model for my covers, I 100% would!
When I first met Blunnderland, She was cosplaying as Jarro from DC Comics. She had a booth behind me and I legit couldn’t take my eyes off her because I could swear that she’d been ripped straight out of my head.
I’ve met her a couple more times, but I haven’t been able to quit fan girling long enough to tell her, lol. But she’s really a lovely human. Much more personable than Gretchen. I hope to run into her again this year!
#Lemon8Diary #characteraesthetic #booksoflemon8 #lemon8bookclub
Creating a captivating book cover goes beyond mere aesthetics; it's about capturing the essence of the story and its characters. In 'Empress of Beasts', the journey to depict the protagonist, Gretchen, showcases unique challenges in illustrating her personality and the magical world she inhabits. Artists often rely on visual references to evoke emotions and establish connections with potential readers. The inclusion of real-life inspirations, like models or cosplayers, can significantly enhance the creative process. In this case, seeing someone resembling Gretchen not only solidifies her visual identity but also enriches the narrative experience for readers. This interplay of imagination and reality brings forth a depth in character portrayal. Engaging with the artistic community through platforms like Instagram allows authors to interact with their muses and gather further insights into character aesthetics. When the cover embodies the spirit of the story, it draws readers in, promising an experience that transcends the pages. Such creative crossovers remind us of the vital role visual storytelling plays in the expansive world of literature.
