Click on the above to see the cover.
THE COVER
Mainstream publishers frequently choose the cover. Often the author has no say in the matter. Alex McGilvery of Celticfrog Publishing generously let me handle the arrangements for Shatter Dark’s cover. This is a great and unusual privilege.
A number of excellent artists expressed interest, but ultimately I chose M.D. Jackson because of his extensive experience in designing book covers. Delightfully, we engaged in back-and-forth collaboration to produce the finished result.
I requested a Mesoamerican pyramid on the cover as a backdrop to Rudwulf confronting the viewer. It was to be pristine, brand new, as contrasted with a derelict bulldozer and ruined “modern” buildings in the background. And I conceived Rudwulf threatening the viewer with an Azteca macuahuitl sword in his right hand while holding an AK-47 with his left. Above all, I wanted him staring directly into the eyes of the viewer, as if challenging them to buy the book or die. This is what is known as subtle advertising.
In addition to listening to me, Jackson read the entire book. Thus, he was thoroughly in tune with my desire to contrast the ancient future with the modern past in order to convey the underlying tension of the novel’s premise. All the subtle details, clever composition, and choice of “style” are his invention. In fact, 99.99% of the visual impact of the cover is the product of his talent and imagination. I am supremely happy with the result.
His cover art strikes me as something that will really stand out on a bookstore shelf, something dramatically different from generic covers. I hope it proves addictive. As soon as you see it, you gotta have the book. I believe the cover is so impactful it will allow the book to promote itself. Thank you, M.D. Jackson.