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children's book illustration, cover art and design, illustration and design tips, and book/author promotion
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26. The Weapon Snitch and the Crown of Blood, by KE Moore (@Weaponsnitch) ~ cover art and design.

Ever hear of a Weapon Snitch? I never did until KE Moore came to me with this project. From the little I read, the Weapon Snitch is a very interesting character. So I thought the cover had to be just as interesting. :D Any guesses based on the cover?

Blurb:

In a world where there is just a little more magic than our own and brave heroes still go on daring quests, the Weapon Snitch is one of the most important people on the planet.

Not that most people know this, of course; he’s far too important to be famous. But whenever there is a stone that needs a sword thrust into it, a wretched troglodyte in need of a ring of power, or a magic wand that needs to collect dust in the perfect spot until its chosen master just happens to stumble along at exactly the right time, rest assured the Weapon Snitch will be there.

For it is the destiny of the Weapon Snitch not to partake in adventures, but instead to ensure that adventures happen.

This does attract pretenders from time to time, and Percival Grey, the current Weapon Snitch, is adept at deflecting these would-be heroes and maybe getting a little extra coin or some moonsage for the stew pot in the process. But when a particularly bumbling group of adventurers accidentally hands over a powerful artifact to one of the greatest vampires in the world, Grey, along with his apprentice Marster, must do the unspeakable. They must become part of the adventure.

Tombs filled with zombies, ancient evil castles presided over by a ghoul, the bureaucracy of a janitor’s union, and a vampire with a love of sweater-vests (the evilest article of clothing ever created) are just some of the perils that face our not-quite heroes in…

The Weapon Snitch and the Crown of Blood.

I've already started laying out the text for an ebook, so as soon as that's done, get ready for an adventurously fun read. Be sure you are following KE on twitter for availability. 









Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!
*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven but posted as provided by author/publisher. 


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27. Cover art and design for Vegas Luna's (@vegaslunaa) 'of the mahabharata catastrophes'

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28. TEMPLE OF THE RAVEN SISTERHOOD ~ A new personal vision for the new year.

Temple of the Raven Sisterhood (c) WillowRaven 2016

Every artist, whether a visual artist, a writer, musician, or performer, we all have dreams of making a living at our craft. I am a freelance visual artist and am blessed to be able to support my son and home doing what I love. So many of my peers are forced into 'real jobs'.

There is a negative side to doing well as a freelance artist. It means most of my time is dedicated to visually translating for other people rather than for myself. So once in a while I HAVE to dedicate a few days to myself and ignore my huge to-do list. If I didn't, I'd not only get cranky, but start feeling like my creative nature was being caged ... limited by my job. Even though most of my clients do give me a lot of creative wiggle room, I still have to stay within THEIR story, rather than telling some of mine, even though mine are strictly visual in nature.

Temple of the Raven Sisterhood is my first completed personal vision for 2016. It took me longer to complete than planned, but that's how muses work; or so I'm told.

Think I will add this peice to my Twitter 'visual writing prompt' challenge. I recon some interesting stories could come out of it.

Visual writing prompt: http://willowraven.weebly.com/temple-of-the-raven-sisterhood.html Write a short for this & I'll post it w/ link to you :D

Now back to that to-do list. :D






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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29. Awesome! I can now #Yodify my Grammar more easily.

Don't you ever just get the urge to talk and write like the coolest of all Jedi masters, Yoda? I do. And now Grammarly has a fun tutorial on how it's done. 











*Taken from Grammarly blog.





Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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30. THE TEL ~ cover art and design for book 3 of The Witches of Aba Nam series by Ross Homer (@RossGHomer)

I bet poor Ross Homer is glad to be done with me and my pushy ways for a bit, lol. Ellen (his wife) and I, are going to have to team up and figure out a new project so we can keep shaping him to our will.

I have been sharing the re-dressed covers for The Witches of Aba Nam series, lately, and have just finished the cover for the third book, The Tel.

Because of the baren environment, I changed the compositional layout a bit, which is not something I typically do within a sereis. Deserts have a tendancy to lose visual depth because there are few to no scale markers like trees or people or animals. If I had followed the same formula used on The Orb and The Lure, I would have lost a lot of perspective. Even with the shifted composition, it was still a challenge to show distance and scale over the miles and miles of nothing but sand and a single, mysterious stucture between the figure and the old city.

Now for the blurb...

They left Aba Nam in the distant past to destroy the enemy. In the process they disappeared seemingly forever.

She is the Librarian, reborn to rebuild the ancient city of Tel Ahnk'Mur destroyed by those enemies. And someone is needed to fly a damaged spaceship. A woman from Earth?

These elements come together in the strangest ways as Lisande Coer Kilarra, Librarian, and Elise Davis, astronaut meet and discover they are facing the same obstacles.

Lives are reunited. Other lives are ripped apart in this, the third adventure in the continuing Witches of Aba Nam series.


The covers done and possibly one more. Ross tells me a fourth book may be ready for a cover in 2016 if all goes well.






Also from Ross Homer:


Get to know Ross Homer and his work better by visiting his website, Twitter, and Facebook pages:









Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!
*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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31. "Blue Satin Sashes" writing challenge - submission by Simon Brown (@mysteryweaver)

A wonderful new visual writing prompt submission for Blue Satin Sashes, by Simon Brown.

Blue Satin Sashes 


I wait 
Amongst your memories 
Of days past 
And wet nights 
And I hear 
The horses
And smell fear 
As I am in the box
Holding broken
Moonlight 


I had waited a long time. The days had gathered outside in the darkness and walked off. I knew you would come. I thought of the days when we had laughed and watched the world go by. I remembered that smile which would spill from your eyes and lap against your lips. The nights when we would dare the stars to sweep the clouds away.

I heard the sound of horses. The moon shivered. I emptied my glass. Going to the window I tried to see into the night past the trees that threatened to fall upon the house in an alpine rage. I could hear the horses but not see you. My breath rattled nervously against my lips. 
Moonlight fell upon the house. I saw the horses. The carriage. A blur of blue and gold woodwork. Then a silence descended. Sounds fell away from the carriage. I looked for you amongst the silence. The carriage stopped. 

I called your name. The one you had promised was yours.  I could not see you. I called your name again. A bell rang. I felt your voice in the sound of the bell. I opened the door and stepped out. Into blackness. The moon was gone. I was on my knees. I felt around me. Nothing but hardness.   I lurched forward. 

I heard your laughter 

" You were always mine, you were always here". 

We were moving. 

"You were always in my box" 

S J B 

(c) mysteryweaver 

Get to know Simon and his writing better by following him on social media:

                     Twitter: @mysteryweaver

Visual writing prompt: http://willowraven.weebly.com/blue-satin-sashes.html Write a short for this & I'll post it w/ link to you :D






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!
*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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32. THE LURE ~ cover art and design for book 2 of The Witches of Aba Nam series by Ross Homer (@RossGHomer)

Poor Ross Homer. I'm such a troublesome cover artist and I fear he's stuck with me, lol. 

A few posts back I shared the first re-dressed cover for The Witches of Aba Nam series, The Orb. Today I show off the new cover for the second book in the series, The Lure

What's funny is, I not only passionately persuaded Ross to let me create a different scene than he originally envisioned, I also helped convince him to change the title and chose this title in particular. I liked the play on the meaning of lure. So for those familiar with the series, The Lure was originally know as Arena. In my defense, his wife Ellen is the one who told him the original title wasn't going to cut the mustard anymore. I was just being supportive of my fellow planetary sister. Female solidarity and all that. That's all. Honest. I am not a bully. ;P

Now for the blurb...

Hunting for a serial killer, Casta Rodriguez notices a young woman, apparently lost. The woman is walking the streets wearing nothing but a thin silk shirt and cargo shorts...on a cold October evening in San Francisco. Who is this young woman, Casta Rodriguez, a detective for the police department, wonders when she stumbles across Kai Seven Travelers.

On a whim, Casta offers her shelter for the night. This decision will change her life forever in ways and places she can’t possibly imagine. She will be kidnapped, her throat slit. And magic, which she certainly didn’t believe in before, saves her life.

Before Casta can fully accept what’s happened to her, she abruptly finds herself with Taagen Davis, fighting for their lives in an unsurvivable bog.


Will she survive? Is Taagen Davis the warrior she’s been told he his?


Two covers down, one more to go before Christmas (or so I thought). Ross tells me all of this working on his old series is inspiring a fourth book to come out in 2016 if all goes well. So looks like two more book covers to go.

To top it all off ... I'm not known for rushing a project before it's the best I can make it, which is a nice way of saying my deadlines tend to be somewhat fluid. I mean well but I blame it on my OCD tendancies and for my love of what I do. It's not just my reputation on the line if I put out a cover before it's ready, it's also the book's reputation and the author's and/or publisher's.

Poor, poor Ross Homer...



Also from Ross Homer:


Get to know Ross Homer and his work better by visiting his website, Twitter, and Facebook pages:









Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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33. 'Terra Rising: BY RIGHT OF ARMS' by JT Buckley (@AuthorJTBuckley), gets positive scores from the 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards judge.





Last post, I shared some awesome scores and review JT Buckley (@AuthorJTBuckley on Twitter) received when he entered Blood & Steel: A Love Story, in the prestigous 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. What I didn't share was he had entered 2 of his books in the competion. Terra Rising: By Right of Arms also received positive scores (again, all 3's & 4's).

To recap: scores are accumilated: Books are evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 meaning “needs improvement” and 5 meaning “outstanding”. 

As mentioned before, I always brag up my authors when they receive positive evaluations, and such, but this particular award includes a cover score, too, so I'll doubly excited.

Entry Title By Right of Arms
Author: J.T. Buckley
Judge Number: 26
Entry Category: Genre Fiction

Structure, Organization, and Pacing: 4

Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar: 3

Production Quality and Cover Design:  4

Plot and Story Appeal: 3

Character Appeal and Development: 4

Voice and Writing Style: 3

My cover got a 4 out of 5!!! Same score I got on JT's other book. Isn't that groovy?  :D

How I look at it, even the 3's are worthy of bragging rights. If 5 is equivalent to an A, then 4 is a B and 3 is a C. So all average or above average scores. To me, average doesn't been dull, it means you're not only passing but at the level most of the other competors are in that category. Another great thing about this competition is, even if authors don't win an award, they receive a review along with their scores. So you have something to refer to, here's the book's blurb:

The Confederated Nations of Terra receive a shocking distress signal from out of system. Captain Aaron Richardson and the crew of the TNS Intrepid are horrified at what they find after responding to the distress call from Earth’s closest celestial neighbor, Alpha Centauri. What they discover launches them into a new universe of political and military intrigue. Using ancient legends, they forge Earth’s position in the Principean Empire and discover the secrets of Earth’s distant past. Thwarted at every turn by pirates, they must fight a race of aliens who are intent on killing all humans and destroying the Earth. Unable to do it alone, they must seek assistance of new allies to save their home.

Abridged Judge’s Commentary*:
"I kinda like the cover. It’s creepy in a good way. I especially like the title typography. An intriguing synopsis, too. Good job!"
"I enjoy the fact that your scenes involve new tech but don’t make such a point of showing them off. So many sci-fi authors seem to forget how quickly new technologies become the norm. "
"You’ve done a fine job of including diplomacy and politics in the course of your narrative ... Excellent work."
"Queen Almathia is quite the vision!" 

As before, I left out some of the more specific notes since they are more for the author than the public and would give away a few surprises I want to leave for the readers. 

JT tells me plans for the sequel, Manifest Destiny, are in the works for 2016. We haven't made plans as to what what he wants me to do for that cover because he's busy with end-of-school stuff, but I'm sure it will be just as fun and challenging as By Right of Arms was.






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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34. BLOOD & STEEL, by JT Buckley (@AuthorJTBuckley), gets positive scores from the 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards judge.





One of my favorite clients, JT Buckley (@AuthorJTBuckley on Twitter) entered Blood & Steel: A Love Story, in the 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards and received some really positive scores (all 3's and 4's); especially considering how huge and tough the competition is. 

Books are evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning “needs improvement” and 5 meaning “outstanding”. 

Although I'm always proud to brag up my authors when they receive positive evaluations, awards, or reviews, this particular award includes a cover score alongside the other scores.


Entry Title Blood and Steel:  A Love Story
Author: J.T. Buckley
Judge Number: 26
Entry Category: Genre Fiction

Structure, Organization, and Pacing: 4

Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar: 4

Production Quality and Cover Design:  4

Plot and Story Appeal: 3

Character Appeal and Development: 3

Voice and Writing Style: 4

My cover got a 4 out of 5!!! Isn't that awesome? :D

In my opinion, even the 3's are good. If 5 is equivalent to an A, then 4 is a B and 3 is a C. So all average or above average scores. Another great thing about this competition is, even if authors don't win an award, they receive a review along with their scores. So you have something to refer to, here's the book's blurb:

The plague of murders across every major city in the world has drawn Vampire Hunter, Rick Smythe, back to LA in search of his parents’ murderer. The orphaned Rick grew up in the streets, learning skills that he would need to track and destroy his nemesis. In LA he meets Saria, a social worker with a dark, dangerous secret. Nickolea, Saria’s vicious ex-lover, plans Rick’s demise to incapacitate her. When Rick is mortally wounded, Saria’s secret is revealed. To survive, they must hunt down the people they hate the most and bring them to justice. They soon find themselves on the edge of a war that could destroy the world as they know it.

Abridged Judge’s Commentary*:
"A very polished cover image! And a promising synopsis."
"You have a well-constructed story, with plentiful personal touches. "
"... the action scenes are quite good. Excellent job! And best of luck."

I left out some of the more specific notes since they are more for the author than the public and would give away a few surprises I want to leave for the readers. 

JT tells me plans for the sequel to Blood & Steel: A Love Story, Blood and Steel: Awakenings, are in the works for 2016. I wonder what he wants me to do for that cover?






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!
*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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35. The Orb ~ cover art and design for book 1 of The Witches of Aba Nam series by Ross Homer (@RossGHomer)

Having worked with Ross on his Scepter of the Nile series, I relished the opportunity to re-dress his The Witches of Aba Nam series. Maybe my cover version will breath some new life into the series and attract some new fans to Ross' writing.

Tori, the Queen of Aba Nam, sits in defeat, staring distantly; not seeing the devastation all around her as storm clouds churn across the sky of her home world. Blocked at every turn, her abilities as a sorceress have failed her ... failed her realm.

Taagen Davis stares at a blank computer screen waiting for inspiration for his next mystery novel. Eyes absently gazing over the San Francisco Bay; he too is blocked ... his creativity stifled.


In their infinite wisdom, the Fates have decided these two people, from wildly different worlds, will meet on a dark mountain road in California.



Nothing will ever be the same for either of them.


Get to know Ross Homer and his work better by visiting his website and Twitter pages:








Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!
*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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36. "Return to Dune Towers" writing challenge - submission by Tabitha Thompson (@TabiCat90)



Here’s Tabitha Thompson's (@TabiCat90) new story Phoenix, written to accompany my Return to Dune Towers piece above.

Out of everyone, she survived. Everything that was thrown at her she exceeded beyond expectation. With her mother’s green dress draped over her like a shield, she gazed upon the place that had once ridiculed her, banished her and almost killed her. Although her legs was heavy due to the relentless torture that she endured, she finally escaped the torture that plagued her for several months that left her speechless upon her return as a new person who wasn’t driven on fear but anger. The blood, sweat and tears were cleverly hidden along with her true identity; the only sounds that accompained the police helicopters was the rapid beating of her bitter, cold, heavy heart as her silence remained deafening. Her dress matching green eyes flickered with vengeance as she stood, watched and waited for her chance to once again rise from the ashes and take back what was hers.

Isn't it amazing how many different stories can come from one artwork?

To follow Tabitha and her other works:

Blog:
Creative Soul

On Tumbler:
Tabitha Thompson

And on Twitter:
Tabitha Thompson
@TabiCat90

Wish to participate in the challenge? If so write a short for this artwork, and I'll post it with links to your website and/or network profiles. 

As seen on Twitter:

Visual writing prompt: http://willowraven.weebly.com/return-to-dune-towers.html Write a short for this & I'll post it w link to you






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!


*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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37. Innocence Lost by Philip Sherman Mygatt (@large_marge) ~ cover art and design:

I was excited and inspired when Philip contacted me about a re-creation for his book Innocence Lost. Excited because I really like diversifying the genre range of my folio. It's too easy to get type-cast as JUST a sci-fi/fantasy artist. Inspired by the story he wove during our initial live chat meeting. Then again as I embarked on visual and historical research on a subject I really did not learn enough about in school.

Review: “I finished reading INNOCENCE LOST - A CHILDHOOD STOLEN last night. I read straight through one afternoon and the next day, because I couldn’t put it down. Mira’s story felt more real than any fiction I’ve ever read. The interview format places it in real time, and the complex characters further enhance the story’s telling. The reader is there, standing in line at Auschwitz. We all know where the lines end, yet we know Mira has survived to tell the story. We live the horror of the Holocaust through a child’s eyes and, then, the thrill of a life saved. It’s tense. It’s historical. It’s heartbreaking and, finally, it’s fulfilling. The use of German phrases throughout was the perfect touch. I highly recommend INNOCENCE LOST.”

~Nadja Bernitt, author of FINAL GRAVE, a mystery set in the wilds of Idaho.


The original covered version can be found on Amazon. Be sure to contact Philip about getting a signed copy with this cover vs the older cover:

Twitter
Google+
Facebook
Author Website







Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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38. Star of the Team by Beverly Stowe McClure (@beverlymcclure), earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval


Even though I know the award for Beverly Stowe McClure's YA novel Star of the Team has absolutely nothing to do with my cover art and design and everything to do with an awesome story, I'm still really proud and wanted to help spread the good news. :D

A girl.
A dream.
An accident.
A dream shattered.
Ten-year-old Kate Taylor dreams of being the star of her basketball team, Angels. When Kate’s tooth is knocked out at one of the games, and her mother, who is also her coach, says she can’t play until the tooth the dentist replants heals, Kate’s dreams are in jeopardy. Add Emily, the new girl at school who claims she’s the best, and Kate faces a challenge to prove that she is the star.

Will Kate succeed? Or will Emily ruin Kate’s plans?
Read the official Literary Classics Seal of Approval review here.
Follow Beverly and her writing ...
Twitter     Website     Google+     Facebook     4RV Publishing






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!
*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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39. "Blue Satin Sashes" writing challenge - submission by Katherin Garland (@kwotedkegarland)


Requesting Presents but Requiring Presence


Presents. That’s all they ever cared about. Where are the presents? What did you get me? They never asked how she was doing. They never even pretended to care. Maybe it was her sister Mattie’s fault. She rarely prompted the children to ask questions dictated by social etiquette. How are you Aunt Lillian? How was your ride this time? Why didn’t Uncle Andrew come with? No. There would be no personal questions. Like stair steps, Mary, Margaret, Mildred, Minnie, and Milton would line up with their grins spread wide across their faces to receive the lavishly wrapped gifts that she brought. Even Mattie seemed to eagerly await Lillian’s boxes, but not her presence. Maybe it was Lillian’s own fault. She felt it important to visit at least once a year on Christmas, especially since Mattie’s husband had fallen ill to smallpox several years prior. Lillian figured this was the least that she could do. And because her sister didn’t have much money, she thought presents might lighten the mood. But she wasn’t sure how much longer she would keep it up, especially when everyone seemed so ungrateful.

Loving all of these awesome submissions! :D

To connect with Katherine, follow her on Twitter and be sure to visit her blog:

Katherin Garland

@kwotedkegarland




Would you like to participate in the challenge?

Visual writing prompt: http://willowraven.weebly.com/blue-satin-sashes.html Write a short for this & I'll post it w/ link to you :D





Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

This post edited by Grammarly* ~ NOW FREE FOR CHROME USERS!


*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher. 

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40. Matanzas Moon ~ Cover art and design for Elizabeth Raven (@SElizabethRaven)

I've been looking to add some romance to my folio for a while, now. It's real easy for an artist to get stereotyped as only working with one or two genres just because your latest or best works happen to all be in one genre.

For example, when I first broke into publishing with my first contract with a publisher, it was for children's book illustration. Sure, my goal since art school was to be a sci-fi/fantasy book cover artist, but one goes where the money is offered, lol.

In an attempt to move into novel cover art, the next genre offered me was religious-inspirational-devotional themes, all using stock art imagery. Next thing you know, that's the only type of project I could get.

It took about five years working as a pro before I could convince people that I could pull off fantasy and even sci-fi (SFF fans tend to be very selective and slow to welcome new people, especially a female artist). But even once I got a few, they were far spaced and infrequent.

Now, people look at my folio and assume I only work with SFF, lol. I have been actively promoting and offering discount incentives for any genres outside SFF. 

Matanzas Moon is a paranormal romance by Elizabeth Raven, and publisher, Ms.Tiki Unlimited.

Blurb:

Love, intrigue, and the pursuit of Ghosts… all the best things in the afterlife!

Lost in her quarter-life crisis, eccentric Bridget Quinn abandons her Vet School aspirations to open a metaphysical store in St. Augustine, Florida. Adept in Palmistry, Astrology, and Tarot, she discovers her dormant gift of while in the notoriously haunted city. Mediumship proves to be a pesky affliction, especially when Bridget’s attempt to help a ghostly visitor implicates her in a series of vicious murders!

Nick Maddox, a ruggedly Adonic but rigorously skeptical cop, investigates the ghastly crimes. Despite their conflicting beliefs, Nick can’t deny his urges for Bridget extend far beyond civil obligation. Frustrated by the lack of tangible evidence, he finds more questions than answers as he pursues spectral justice and Bridget’s love.

RIP Ryder, a charmingly rebellious ghost tour guide, helps investigate— simultaneously complicating Nick and Bridget’s impetuous dance of courtship. Her heart dangling between Nick and RIP, Bridget stumbles into a web of mystery and mayhem. Can they catch the killer before another murder? Exactly how do you handcuff a ghost anyway?

Sound exciting? I think so!!! :D And if you're in the area of St. Augustine, Florida on Saturday, Sept 6, 2015, Elizabeth will be at the 450th year celebration for St. Augustine signing copies of her book, Matanzas Moon.

An evening filled with fine art, unique artisan crafts, live music, belly dancers, and mystifying magic. Take a stroll through enchanted, torch-lit pathways, you’ll likely encounter a 16th century Spanish soldier and his entourage. Gather around the 35 foot watchtower and toast to the Raising of the Flag ceremony. Sit under the 200-year-old Colonial oak tree adorned with colorful lanterns and tiny white lights while enjoying fabulous food and beverages offered by the Taberna Del Caballo and the Bull & Crown Publick House. It all takes place... under the stars at The Downtown Bazaar on the grounds of the Colonial Quarter.

For more info on where and when, visit the website: http://www.thedowntownbazaar.com

And if you're not in the area, Matanzas Moon will be available in it's various format's via both Elizabeth's and Ms.Tiki's Unlimited's websites.

Make sure to follow Elizabeth Raven and her book, Matanzas Moon via internet:

Ms.Tiki Unlimited:







Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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41. Valley of the Dead ~ cover art and design for Crystal M Romero (@Crstl_M_Romero)

I had some interesting challenges with this project. The main one was I kept trying to get too detailed while trying to represent a mob with as few characters as possible. 
The original project outline called for two detailed figures (the cops in front) and five low-detail or partial zombie-figures. So originally, the scene wasn't going to have so many elements in it like the extra cars and buildings. This plan was designed by Crystal and I to help keep the cost down by keeping the amount of time needed down. 
Well, anyone that has worked with me has probably figured out that I have a mental glitch when it comes to controlling some of my scenes, lol. So naturally I spent a lot more time of this scene than I billed for, lol. This was also one of the reasons why Crystal missed a couple events she had hoped to present her book at (so blame me, folks).
I honestly did start out with a more simple plan. But as happens with many of my works, the piece took on a life of its own. I've often heard writers express similar exasperation when a story or character refuses to follow the outline.
I did finally reign myself in when I started adding the necessary zombie elements. Even though Crystal and I both had visions of guts and gore dancing in our heads, I knew the minute details would never translate well as an Amazon thumbnail, causing too much visual 'noise' and clutter. It's already full as it is.
So without further ado ... 
Because of nationwide marriage equality, this year's Gay Pride weekend promised to be the best one ever. Across California’s Silicon Valley, couples gathered for numerous weddings, and people showed their pride at a downtown park. Nothing, not even religious protests could ruin the weekend. 

Yvonne Martin just wanted to relax at home this year and dream about white sand beaches. Then Reggie called with crazy talk about zombies at the door and pleas for her to save him. Setting out on this rescue mission, the chaos outside quickly proved that much more than the weekend was ruined. Along the way, they are thrown together with Captain Jacqueline Rhodes and Officer Morales, the last survivors of the police force. Together they must make their escape from this Valley of the Dead.


Be sure to connect with Crystal online, too:  Twitter





Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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42. "Return to Dune Towers" writing challenge - submission by Seamus King (@SeamusTheKing)

Seamus King (@SeamusTheKing), another one of my Twitter connections, has submitted a short for my Return to Dune Towers artwork and my visual writing prompt challenge. Check it out ...



Her green skirt cascaded down her body like a shimmering waterfall as she surveyed the city before her.  Memories warred for her attention, images of a youth both well and mispent:  the endless parties, the sweet sweet desert wine, the feel of a young nomad’s touch flitting across her dusky-hewed body, the brutal heat and the cool waters of the hidden springs.  It was almost enough to make her forget her brother’s betrayal, or that night when the beetle-ships landed and all she loved was lost.  But she remembered.  She pushed her ebony curls back and, the gold rings of her arms gleaming in the afternoon sun, started forward again.

The princess was coming home.


Another excellent submission from a Twitter follower. :D


To follow Seamus and his other works:
Thoughts and Rambles
Musings of a Would-be Bard

And on Twitter:
Seamus King
@SeamusTheKing

Wish to participate in the challenge? If so write a short for this artwork, and I'll post it with links to your website and/or network profiles. 

As seen on Twitter:
Visual writing prompt: http://willowraven.weebly.com/return-to-dune-towers.html Write a short for this & I'll post it w link to you






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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43. Cover art and design for Vegas Luna's (@vegaslunaa) 2nd edition 'of the Andromeda Martian Catastrophe'

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44. Down by the River ~ Two more covers for the Spirit Waters Trilogy by Lucretia T Knight (@Irina_Mknight)


Down by the River is the next soon-to-be-released volume of Lucretia T. Knight's Spirit AWaters Trilogy. And to take advantage of an available discount, we went ahead and readied the cover for book three, still to be written at the time of this post.

The unique challenge with this project was to utilize the same central graphic for each new volume while still making each unique to that particular book's plot needs and giving each one it's own look. Each cover has to 'work' on its own while remaining cohesive as a set. I am so not a fan of using the same exact image for each new volume, and just changing the text or color scheme. I find it lazy and potentially confusing to the readers. 

It would so aggravate me to grab the wrong book at a glance and have to go back and grab the right one. I image it would annoy book buyers, too. Or even worse, buyers not noticing the too slight variation, and not buying the sequels because they don't realize they are different books. We only have a click of the mouse to grab buyer attention. Why making harder for your book to sell?

But let me stop ranting and give you the blurb for Down by the River:

The ocean filled him, nearly killing him, and then released him. The experience of drowning when he was eight has haunted Drew ever since. Now at thirty-two, he has returned home to his cloying family in the small town of Demetra. He’s jobless, loveless, and searching. His family forces him into a baptismal immersion that triggers his childhood drowning and sends him spiraling toward an incomprehensible journey filled with terrifying and prophetic visions. Along the way he finds an unlikely love, the courage to release his deepest fears, and ultimately the strength to embrace his sublime destiny.



For those that want more information about book one, A Witch's Tale, here's a recap:

Amy’s life is a numb existence of work and home, until strange dreams of the moon and waves sweep her into a dark place within herself. Her mundane world begins to spin into exciting, erotic adventures. But, who is really in control? Disjointed memories of the day rattle Amy’s mind and she begins to question her sanity. She discovers an old familial connection to witchcraft. A journey into her mind and soul lead her to a place where she will have to battle for the right to her own existence. Converging blood lines will either destroy her, or liberate her.

Personally, I am most excited about the Luna's Tide volume. Lucretia has only told me a little bit about it, but I can't imagine not loving it.  

Be sure to connect with Lucretia online:
Twitter       Website





Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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45. Two new maps created for David Millar's (@DavidHMillar) CONALL book series.

covers by Ida at
Amygdala Design
I really find creating maps for books a fun change of pace. These two maps are for David H Millar's CONALL book series, being published through A Wee Publishing Company

For this pair of illos, I had to reference really old maps of both Scotland and Ireland. What I found most challenging was how almost every map I could find was significantly different from every other map I found. So a lot of wingin' it was going on, lol.

Of course, I'm sure you've noticed the names above differ from the names you may know. Eriu is Ireland and Albu is Scotland.

Like so many other languages, there were regional variations of Gaelic. Irish-Gaelic and Scots-Gaelic. Sometimes so varying in spelling and pronunciation, there were often difficulties understanding each other. (I'm not this smart, lol. David told me.)

Speaking of Gaelic, did I ever tell ya'll my first name is Gaelic. Now that I know there is a difference, Aidana is Scots-Gaelic. I was named after the 6th-century fire God and Goddess (a combination of the two diety's names) Aidan and Edonna, even though my heritage is Spanish Gypsy with some French, Mexican, German, and Cherokee mixed in for good measure, lol. I have an eclectic background.

However, out of curiosity, I looked up my name in Irish-Gaelic, and it has a slightly different meaning ... Little Fiery One.

I think I like that :D

Follow David Millar on Twitter and check out A Wee Publishing Company on Twitter, too.







Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
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46. "Blue Satin Sashes" writing challenge - submission by Stephanie Barnes (@sbarnes07)



Falling Snow


The soft jingle of bells woke me from my sleep. I don’t know how I managed to fall asleep in an open carriage but falling snow always makes my eyes feel tired and heavy. 



The white frozen droplets drifted down from the opaque clouded realms above. I pulled the collar of my coat around my neck, this was not for warmth but rather habit as I gazed at the snowy dream around me. 

As a child I always enjoyed the winter season. Making angels in the snow, catching snowflakes and chasing my friends with snowballs always made winter a warm, happy memory. There was always something beautiful about winter and when I looked up at the falling snow I found my mind would always wander.


Since this winter began, I struggled to remember many things. I could barely remember what time it was or how many days had passed. Even the thought of where the carriage was taking me made my mind sluggish. 

The last memory I had was skating with my dear friend on our neighbour’s frozen lake. My skin shivered as ice cold needles prickled my skin and I quickly rubbed the frozen sensation away.

The hooded driver directed the horse without a single word or tug of the reins. I wondered if they had taken this road before and I felt silly because I already knew the answer. 

I suddenly realised I had never asked the driver his name, I couldn’t remember how we had even met but I knew I was safe. This man was not going to hurt me, nobody could now.

My heavy head lulled back and I looked up at the falling snow. I closed my eyes as the sweet snow kissed my cheeks. 

I could fall asleep for eternity under the sinking snow.



What an awesome submission. Yes?

To connect with Steph, follow her on Twitter and be sure to visit her website:

Chasing Fireflies

Steph B

@sbarnes07


Visual writing prompt: http://willowraven.weebly.com/blue-satin-sashes.html Write a short for this & I'll post it w/ link to you :D






Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
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47. The 'Learned Leopard' revisits my Zazzle Shoppe ... Perfect for book lovers.

I doodled a cartoon of a leopard reading a self-help book a few years back and thanks to some new fun products available at Zazzle, I put together a few unique items that will help you get in the mood for writing that children's book or novel. Perfect additions to your study ...

To help keep track of when it's time to write:

Learned Leopard collection Square Wallclocks
Learned Leopard collection Square Wallclocks by WillowRaven
Shop for Willowraven Wall Clocks online at Zazzle.com


For the ever important caffeine; whether it's coffee, tea, or cocoa with a touch of Godiva liqueur ...



And with so many writers giving up pencil and paper for digital writing ...
Learned Leopard collection Mouse Pad
Learned Leopard collection Mouse Pad by WillowRaven
View more Willowraven Mousepads at zazzle.com


Gonna need a bag for toting that laptop and all of those signed copies of your books.



And the perfect attire for encouraging others that they need to read more ...



Want to see the entire Learned Leopard collection? Just click :D







Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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48. 'Millennium' ~ cover art and design for Alex Steinberg (@MillenniumStory)

Some clients are easier to work with than others. Not that the more needy clients are not nice clients, they are, they just need more attention. Other clients, like Alex, are a true blessing. He knew what he wanted and clearly articulated his idea so well I only had to make one revision. By draft two, we were ready for print. I'm looking forward to working with Alex again. :D

The blurb: 

In 2091, four years before the Great Civil War, Humanity expanded to a multitude of planets across the galaxy, setting up colonies, officially declaring themselves to be the only sentient life in the Milky Way Galaxy. They were wrong.

Nine years later, Lieutenant Commander Keane Blaze, a young, but well-respected soldier, is ordered to help evacuate the colony on Ordem, a strange desert planet. Everything goes as planned at first, until an unknown enemy initiates an ambush, destroying Keane's transport. In order to save him, the ship's artificial intelligence launches his cryo-pod to the surface of the planet, putting Keane into cryo-sleep for 1000 years.

Waking after his long slumber, Keane learns the enemy that long ago destroyed his transport is back, again fighting against Humanity and its allied races. With the help of a younger alien race and a mysterious figure from his past, Keane races to end the threat that this enemy poses, once and for all.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Alex and his books on social media: 

Alex Steinberg

@MillenniumStory


Millennium is being published through Ravenswood Publishing.







Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
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49. 'Weaver of Dreams' ~ cover art and design for Chris Rosser (@chrisgbill)

I explored many options for this scene. Did I want to zoom out and show more of the dilapidated structure and wintery landscape? (I do love my landscapes.) Did I want to show more of the beautiful palfrey named Lavender? In the end, I felt the most important message in the scene was the MC. I wanted the viewer to be drawn in and compelled to learn her story. Feel compelled? lol

Without further ado ...

Extract…

They had ridden barely a mile, cutting through empty farmland. The road to Kas Mendoc lay before them. It wound through a shallow gully that had eroded over time with the passage of wind and water. Now the road resembled a stream, fed by rivulets of water running down the sides of the gully, flowing swiftly downhill.

“Look, there on the road!” said Lillian. She pulled her horse’s bridle, harder than she intended, and the animal came to a stop with an indignant snort. Sara and Emilan’s eyes followed Lillian’s outstretched arm. They strained to see through the sheets of icy rain blowing into their faces.

“Can you see him?” asked Lillian.

“Yes…I see him,” replied Sara, raising her voice above the storm.

A man lay motionless in the middle of the road. Nearby, a mule stood in the rain head held low in a picture of misery; Lillian saw that its bridle reins had caught in a fallen branch preventing it from finding shelter. The riders surveyed the scene in silence but Lillian began to fidget with growing unease.

Be sure to connect with Chris on his social networks and website: 

Website     Twitter     Google +







Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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50. Contest entry and Personal tribute to 'Memphis::Black Velvet'

On occasion, I participate in a small art challenge in one of the forums I frequent. Although there is a new challenge each month, I rarely have time to put something together. This month's challenge, however, compelled me to do something. 

The theme was simple, which, of course, made it hard to stand out from the competition (so many good images over a wide scale of topics)... 'Opposites': 

"This month, create a picture using opposites like hot and cold, bright and dark, good and evil, cats and dogs -- there are a number of combinations I'm sure you can come up with. Take whatever approach you want, from serious to silly, and any genre that appeals to you. Have fun!"

I thought quite a bit about my submission for this one. I went with opposites in my city. Memphis is a city of merging opposites. Walk down Beale street and you'll get my meaning pretty soon. You literally feel it in your skin.

Visually, you're surrounded by art deco buildings from the 1920's and modern-day steal. The Peabody is still visited by celebrities and presidents. Its Gatsby-days glamor is breath-taking and yet common to us. Walk a little this way, and there's Sun Studios, where Elvis became a new religion. Graceland is haunted, yet filled with people every day, from all over the world.

And whether walking in Memphis, catching a ride on the trolley, or taking a tour on a horse-drawn carriage, you are ALWAYS hearing music and smelling awesome food. Day or night, SOMEONE is playing a guitar, sax, trumpet, etc. One guy passed me downtown in roller-skates, a floppy, hillbilly hat, playing a banjo. Seemingly for no other purpose than it felt perfectly normal to him, with the homeless man on the bench happy to sing along.

As we start the 2-3 block, most-known section of Beale street, you decide if you want to listen to jazz, blues, soul, southern rock, country, or our own southern blend of a bit of all of it while shopping for novelties and souvenirs, carrying a drink in a cup, with understated hints of voodoo in each shop.

The song that most epitomizes my city and expresses the mood and feeling? Black Velvet (the original sung by Alannah Myles).

I'm curious to see how many of ya'll see my opposites without me having to explain them.

Wanna view it with the song that accompanies it? Check it out on my website:
http://willowraven.weebly.com/memphisblack-velvet.html

Song performed by the illustrious Alannah Myles >>>





Onto wrapping up the next book :-D
Until next time ...

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