It's always with some trepidation that I approach what a cover artist has come up with for a book of mine. After all, this is the face of my baby. I want it to be beautiful. I also want it to be compelling because I know it's a big, fat lie when people say, "Don't judge a book by its cover." In whatever context they mean it, they can and do. The cover helps sell a book almost, if not as much, as what's on the interior.
With the cover artist I work with at Amber Quill Press, Trace Edward Zaber, I am not as afraid when I get that e-mail telling me a cover design is ready. Trace is a great cover artist and I am usually over the moon with what he comes up with for my work. We've worked together on enough books that I hardly have to give him much suggestion or direction on what I hope to see. We're in sync.
The cover for my upcoming novel, The Blue Moon Cafe, is no exception. Trace managed to encapsulate exactly what I wanted to get across: that this was a horror story, yes, but at its heart, it's a love story. It's a book that I hope will make a reader's heart race for many reasons.
And it's appropriate that I'm sharing this with you today, because tonight is a blue moon, the first in a decade.
I'd love to know what you think of the cover. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
The Blue Moon Café releases on March 7, 2010 in ebook format, with the paperback version to follow approximately two weeks later. To read the first chapter, e-mail me at jimmyfels@gmail.com and I will send it to you.
What The Blue Moon Cafe is about:
Someone—or something—is killing Seattle’s gay men.
A creature moves through the darkest night, lit only by the full moon, taking them, one by one, from the rain city’s gay gathering areas.
Someone—or something—is falling in love with Thad Matthews.
Against a backdrop of horror and fear, young Thad finds his first true love in the most unlikely of places—a new Italian restaurant called The Blue Moon Café. Sam is everything Thad has ever dreamed of in a man: compassionate, giving, handsome, and with brown eyes Thad feels he could sink into…and he can cook! But as the pair’s love begins to grow, so do the questions and uncertainties, the main one being: Why do Sam’s unexplained disappearances always coincide with the full moon?
Prepare yourself for a unique blend of horror and erotic romance with The Blue Moon Café, written by the author Unzipped magazine called, “the Stephen King of gay horror.” You’re guaranteed an unforgettable reading experience, one that skillfully blends the hottest romance with the most chilling terror…
It is a great cover indeed! All I need to see on the cover is the name Rick R Reed, and I'm sold, but this would certainly grab my attention and make me take a look.
ReplyDeleteI just read a profile in which the guy says he reads 3-4 books a day, and when he goes in the bookstore, anything that grabs his eye usually winds up going home with him. I do believe Blue Moon Cafe would be.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Aphid! I do hope you'll let me know what you think when you do get a chance to read the book.
ReplyDeleteWell any cover with handsome half naked men gets my vote. :) Can't wait to read the book seeing as I love vampires, werewolves and other critters of the night....
ReplyDeleteRick
ReplyDeleteI judge many books by the covers because I have to be attracted by something, and that's the first thing I see other than the name of the author. In your case, although the cover is really hot, all I needed to see was that it was a Rick Reed book and I didn't have to look any further. :-D
Rick, the cover is so beautiful. I truly agree that books are often judged for their cover. And this book has a totally beautiful cover. I haven't read a m/m romance in quite some time, but the cover and your synopsis makes me want to pick this one up when it comes out.
ReplyDeleteHi Rick,
ReplyDeleteA number of years ago I commissioned a painting for my partner from a local artist as a Christmas present. My partner is Native American and of the wolf clan (so wolves figure very prominently in our lives). Your cover (sans the hot guys) reminds me of that painting. Interesting enough my eyes focused immediately on the the rising moon and the shadow of the wolf. But I must say that the blued-eyed bearded beauty is stunning.
Very nice cover indeed. Now I want to know if the guy in the front is real. :) Hopefully, the book is as good as the cover. Then again I've never read one of your books that I didn't really like.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing.. And please let it be released on Kindle. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover!! A perfect partnership of artist and author! Can't wait to read it...OfInteresting about a Blue Moon tonight-on New Year's Eve-wonder what that bodes for 2010? Only good I hope! Wishing you the best year yet, and to all your loyal fans.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments so far! And for anyone who's wondering, YES, Blue Moon Cafe will be available for Kindle. Alternatively, you can buy from the publisher at www.amberallure.com in the .prc format (which is what Kindle uses--and it will work perfectly on your Kindle). I have to admit I love it when you buy from the publisher because I get a much better royalty.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover! And yes, those of us lucky enough to work with Trace Zaber never have to worry when that email comes. I can hardly wait to open mine and see what he's come up with.
ReplyDeleteThe plot sounds great! Few things are better than a Rick Reed mystery. Best for 2010!
Ebs
T. D. McKinney
www.tdmckinney.com
I was sold at the Rick R. Reed on the cover but yes, the cover is very nice. Looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteTrace always does an amazing job and this is certainly gorgeous. Love the story, too and March 7 can't get here fast enough IMO. :)
ReplyDeleteVery tastefully done! Sexy without it being blatantly sexual. I'd read it!
ReplyDeleteI like the cover and the story sounds really interesting. I emailed to get the first chapter and have marked my calendar for the eBook release!
ReplyDeleteCover art is excellent if you are targeting ONLY or PRIMARILY m4m readers. I think the cover sends a "not for you" message to those who are not attracted to the two shirtless guys sunbathing by the light of the full moon :-)
ReplyDeleteDo have a nice tag line for you as a gift:
Animal Lust isn't gender specific. If you're warm, you're going down.
PS: There used to be a BLUE MOON CAFE in Seattle back in the 1960's - in U District on 45th.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing cover..I can hardly wait to read the book. Do you know what stores will be carrying it?
ReplyDeleteFabulous! OK...Gorgeous Cover! The story sounds like one that I MUST read! I'm sure it won't disappoint! I've been hooked on RRR for a LONG time! I need my fix!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! x0xx Amy