Emma Michaels's Blog, page 57

Cover Art Extravaganza - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn

Back to BataanBy Jerome Charyn

The Story Behind the Cover

I loved getting to read Back to Bataan and am now an avid Jerome Charyn fan. Something happened to me while reading, it was almost as though I were watching the story play out in my mind instead of reading it. I was swept away and before I knew it, I had finished the novel and wanted more. Back to Bataan had previously been published as a hardback and all of us agreed that with the new e-book release through Tribute Books it would need a new cover that could cater to the new audience.
Watching Jack learn to understand the world around him and express himself through his writing and his words was amazing. It was like watching a budding young boy bloom right there in front of you. At a certain point in the novel he said something that really touched me and in the end, it was incorporated into the cover. The cover features Jack and Mauricette in New York and the words Jack spoke with a movie poster feel that was inspired by the unique way the story played out in my mind. Overall, this project was phenomenal. The novel was amazing, the cover art process was a breeze because there were already so many images in my mind and Nicole, Jerome and his friend Lenore were all amazing to work with. Seeing the amazing career Jerome Charyn has had really inspired me and I loved getting to read Jack's story.


Coming up:28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - Interview with Michael Loring

DehumanizedBy Michael Loring

Interview with the author


Just for fun, What is the worst possible cover concept you could imagine for your novel?

    Pretty much anything that has an actual wolf on it. The thing with Dehumanized is that the werewolf is a big, half-man half-beast. When writing out how the werewolf looked I pictured something similar to the British Being Human werewolf. I feared that with an actual wolf the reader wouldn't be able to picture the actual werewolf correctly as they'll be expecting what's on the cover.      What do you feel is the scene in your novel with the most imagery?    Oh man...a tough question to answer. Well, if I had to choose, I'd say the scene when they're all in the Graveyard at the end. I feel that scene is really intense and it was one of those moments when I could picture it so clearly in my head.     Did you have any cover art or publishing fears? Which fear was worst?     Asking me if I had any fears is like asking if water is wet. Of course I did! The second I sent out my first submission my anxiety had been through the roof constantly. My biggest fear was that I'd sign with someone who would take away all control. Since this is my first book and I'm not too familiar with the process or anything I was afraid I'd naively hand my book over to someone who would exclude me from just about everything.      Out of the books on your shelf or your wish list which has your favorite cover?     Easy. Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. The two bloody knives with the reflection of Dexter in one and his copy-cat in the other? Gives me chills!
    Last but not least, after going through the cover art process yourself from the author's point of view, what would you suggest to other authors who are facing their own cover art process or facing their own publishing fears?     I feel in the end it all comes down to who you are working with. These processes could be horrible or terrific, and what decides that is the people helping you through them. I was lucky enough to have Emma  and Mike (Editor and Marketing official with Bokheim Publishing) on my side to deal with my pestering and fretting. My advice really is just be certain you want to work with whoever wants to publish you.


Bokheim Publishing is currently getting ready for the release and accepting requests for e-arcs! If you are interested in reviewing Dehumanized send an e-mail to Marketing@Bokheim.com with your name, e-mail and blog link!

Coming up:27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - Dehumanized by Michael Loring

DehumanizedBy Michael Loring

The Cover Reveal

I am thrilled to be the first to reveal the cover for Dehumanized by Michael Loring!



A deadly and currently incurable disease has been released as the result of an unknown experiment that went awry. Dubbed 'Lycanthropy' by the media due to its similarity to the horror movie genre depiction about werewolves, anyone infected begins to change, and every night of the full moon the 'beast' within is released. Within one year, lycanthropy spread throughout Europe, Asia and has now infected the USA. In an attempt to control and treat the outbreak, concerned governments have begun creating camps to contain those who are infected and to help find a cure. Despite rumors comparing these camps to the concentration camps of almost 70 years ago, the US government maintains these camps have the best interests of the public and the residents at heart. Expectations for a cure in the next year remain high.

Ryan Zachery lived his life the way all high school teenagers should - carefree, and oblivious to anything around him. He had an attractive girlfriend and hope for the future. One night when he was walking home he was attacked by an unknown assailer. He awoke in the hospital to learn he had been infected by lycanthropy, a disease he had heard about but had ignored.

Taken by armed guards and dragged away from his parents who did not understand what was happening, Ryan was thrown into a US camp made for those 'suffering' from lycanthropy. Treated like prisoners, he and other lycanthropes were abused by the guards and by their own kind. Scientists regularly performed experiments that promised to treat the disease, yet only caused pain. If Ryan or any of the other roommates acted up or demanded answers, they were thrown into solitary, nicknamed the 'dungeon', and ignored until they became docile once more.

But at the night of the full moon, the beast within him is freed. The beast hates the prison and Ryan. When an experimental procedure allows the beast and Ryan to communicate, the two enemies become unlikely allies who will stop at nothing to tear down the walls keeping them prisoner. With the beast's help, Ryan learns how to change at will. When even his own kind begin to fear him, he creates a plan to release all lycanthropes. They caged the beast, but now he would show them that he will never be dehumanized.

I LOVED reading this novel and creating the cover. Think Dystopia meets True Blood and add in some serious style and you get Dehumanized. Fantastic read and a wonderful cover to get to create!

Bokheim Publishing is currently getting ready for the release and accepting requests for e-arcs! If you are interested in reviewing Dehumanized send an e-mail to Marketing@Bokheim.com with your name, e-mail and blog link!

Coming up:26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - Knee Deep by Jolene Perry

Knee DeepBy Jolene Perry

The Story Behind the Cover

After reading Night Sky by Jolene Perry I already knew I was in for a treat when Tribute Books sent me Knee Deep. Knee Deep is an emotionally hard hitting novel with a unique perspective that shows just how easily the lines between what is right and what is wrong can start to blur and is one of the few novels I have read that truly gets across that sometimes you end up in a situation where you just can't tell anymore. It is a vivid take on watching a loved one become someone other than the person you had fallen in love with that leaves a lasting impression. Just reading it I was grateful for the opportunity from


When reading the book it seemed almost like Ronnie was the eye of the storm. The end resulting cover shows Ronnie as the center and an ever changing sky in the background. This cover took a few tries but I am very proud of the end result. After hours of searching for the perfect Ronnie I finally found the one.



To find out more about 'Knee Deep' and read an exert click here.
Coming up:25th - The Dehumanized (Michael Loring) Cover Reveal26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - The Color of Snow

The Color of SnowBy Brenda Stanley

The Story Behind the Cover

I love the way this book had a haunting quality to it, like a melodic song that gets stuck in your head and you just can't shake the feeling of it because you can't stand to stop listening. I ended up deciding to use a lot of imagery for the cover after reading the copy Tribute Books gave me.

I was fascinated with the way that mirrors, imagery involving snow and Sophie's features played a part in the overall story. I then kept imagining glass, frost and jagged edges like the emotions featured; raw. The first thing I knew I wanted was the font and the effects on the font. I knew I wanted the words to be written across condensation in frosted glass, then the image came together from there and this was the result:

To find out more about The Color of Snow and read an exert  click here.
Coming up:24th - Knee Deep by Jolene Perry25th - The Dehumanized (Michael Loring) Cover Reveal26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - Night Sky by Jolene Perry

Night Sky
by Jolene Perry  The Story Behind the Cover

Night Sky was a very special project that took a lot of team work with an artist I love http://igreeny.deviantart.com/. Who is now an honorary Bokheim Media team member. You should definitely check out this work, it is extraordinary! When I was helping out a friend, Jamie Magee, and we were hunting the net for a new art piece for her rerelease of Insight we stumbled upon Marek, referred to from this point on as the artistic genius of Awesomeland. Okay, just kidding, but I really love his work and working with him, so I asked if he would be interested in doing some Bokheim Media work with me and thankfully he said yes.

Tribute Books sent me a copy of Night Sky to read and I drew up a concept and found most of the stock used (Marek found this brilliant night sky he used as overlay that I just LOVE!) I knew that no matter what I threw Marek's way he could do it. He brought the image together and we went back and forth with it for a few days before finally I was able to add the text and effects. A big thank you to Marek for always being able to accomplish anything I throw his way! I am looking forward to hopefully having more projects with him soon!

The final cover result: To find out more about Night Sky and read an exert click here.
Coming up:23rd - The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley24th - Knee Deep by Jolene Perry25th - The Dehumanized (Michael Loring) Cover Reveal26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - Firstling Cover Reveal

Firstling The Story Behind the Cover

Firstling is coming out this August and here is the first peek and what it will be about:
He promised her that it was over. He promised that the events in the desert one year ago would be buried and forgotten. But with the arrival of Lilian Marsh, the Puritans, and a mysterious priest with orders to terminate David, everything they have been building the last year in Seattle is at risk. Megan and David are given a choice; pick a side or forfeit everything.

Before they can choose, David is accused of having kidnapped a child and is arrested. With only twenty-four hours to find the missing child before all she holds dear will be destroyed, Megan will be forced to side with one of the three groups and find the girl.

But the true enemy is about to be revealed, and no one could have forseen the insidious plot that has slowly ensared them. This new threat will stop at nothing until it destroys the man that Megan loves and "Sense" forever.

The Firstling has been waiting...

I knew who the cover should feature and exactly what she would look like. After doing my first 4 cover art pieces I knew that I wanted to go back to what I had done for Anasazi and feature the face, but slowly zooming out to create a theme to the pieces since we had not gone for each of the covers featuring eyes. I found an image using a stock site and bought the rights, then started editing. This image ended up needing a lot more editing then Anasazi had but I had learned so much on the first four covers that it was no problem and easily accomplished.


The final piece and reveal of the cover for Firstling:
To find out more about Firstling stop by the 'My Novels' tab at the top of the page.
Coming up:22nd - Night Sky by Jolene Perry23rd - The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley24th - Knee Deep by Jolene Perry25th - The Dehumanized (Michael Loring) Cover Reveal26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - Interview with Amy Lignor

Until Next Time
by Amy Lignor Interview with the author

 Just for fun, What is the worst possible cover concept you could imagine for your novel?

God, there are so many… I despise those clip art characters and those pencil drawings that are supposed to look like etchings but they just look like a Kindergarten project. I think books need reality; even when it comes to angels and warriors, and other paranormal characters. I love the cover for Until Next Time because it actually shows the emotion and the wealth of pain and feelings my angel had to go through. Readers really identified with her. Oh, and seeing as we’re talking YA paranormal, if I had a painting of white and red (i.e. Heaven vs. Hell) I would cry. (LOL)

What do you feel is the scene in your novel with the most imagery?

There is a scene when Emily has passed on and she is sent to ‘retrieve’ the boy she’d fallen in love with while down on Earth. He is now a man, of course, an old man who had a very amazing life that, without her sacrifice, wouldn’t have been possible. I love that part because of the way they meet once again, and how it’s completely happy and sad for Emily because she also knows there’s another who may be her true soulmate.

Did you have any cover art or publishing fears? Which fear was worst?

I think authors have that picture in their mind and the cover artist just makes that so much better. My worst fear is that the cover artist simply hates, or has no feeling for the book whatsoever. If they dislike it, they won’t really put their ‘all’ into the cover. The writer puts their soul into the story, so you really want that artist who will put their soul into the cover.

Out of the books on your shelf or your wish list which has your favorite cover?

This is going to sound beyond egotistical, but - what are you gonna’ do? (LOL)

Until Next Time (Book I of The Angel Chronicles) is the most stunning cover I’ve ever seen. I am so proud of it. You have to understand, I’ve lived with Emily in my head for the last decade, so seeing her finally look back at me was amazing.

Last but not least, after going through the cover art process yourself from the author's point of view, what would you suggest to other authors who are facing their own cover art process or facing their own publishing fears?

Try desperately to find great teammates. Always make sure you have the publisher, editor, artist, that really cares as much about your book as you do. I still think a great working relationship makes for a great book and a fantastic career. So I would say never settle for less than the best. And, in my personal opinion, Emma Michaels IS the best!

Until Next Time, Everybody.
Amy To find out more about Until Next Time and read an exert click here.
Coming up:21st - Firstling by Emma Michaels22nd - Night Sky by Jolene Perry23rd - The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley24th - Knee Deep by Jolene Perry25th - The Dehumanized (Michael Loring) Cover Reveal26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

Until Next Time
by Amy Lignor
The Story Behind the Cover

This cover was so much fun to make. When a novel has characters that stand out and have that special spark, a fantastic concept and imagery that you automatically associate with the novel, is becomes more then just a cover art job, it is a cover artist's dream come true. I was given a concept but after reading Until Next Time I decided to suggest a new concept because I couldn't get the image of stone Amy out of my mind, her heart breaking visibly across her chest.

I will admit, I was worried. I had never suggested a concept to anyone before unless it was for one of my own novels through Bokheim Publishing. Thankfully, everyone agreed to have me try it out and IT WORKED! I don't know how long it took me to do that piece but I remember that it hardly felt like time was passing, it was all pure art. I started first thing in the morning and when I looked up again (after being reminded that food is a necessity by my fiancé three times that day when he set it in front of me) it was dark. After a few finishing touches and a fantastic suggestion from Amy and Tribute Books to have the hair be red, I changed the hair to make the stone slowly start coming to life and this was the result:

To find out more about Until Next Time and read an exert click here.
Coming up:20th - An interview with Amy Lignor21st - Firstling by Emma Michaels22nd - Night Sky by Jolene Perry23rd - The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley24th - Knee Deep by Jolene Perry25th - The Dehumanized (Michael Loring) Cover Reveal26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels

Cover Art Extravaganza - The Priest and the Peaches

The Priest and The Peaches
by Larry Peterson  The Story Behind the Cover

This was my first cover art job as a solo cover artist (though working with Bokheim Media at this point) thanks to a wonderful chance I was given by Nicole Langan from Tribute Books. I was(am) so honored to have had my first official cover art commission piece for a novel that was not my own, have been for The Priest and The Peaches and

She showed me the cover of Sweetly by Jackson Pearce, The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker and If you Go Into the Woods by  David Gaughran and mentioned that she wanted a similar vibe that matched The Priest and the Peaches. She let me read the novel and I loved the unique feeling the story had. The characters were all so vivid in my mind's eye. I ended up deciding to use vines with a peach background and the silhouettes of the family and this time did not buy an image to work with but created the images myself.
This was the result:

To find out more about The Priest and the Peaches or read an exert click here.
Coming up:19th - Until Next Time by Amy Lignor20th - An interview with Amy Lignor21st - Firstling by Emma Michaels22nd - Night Sky by Jolene Perry23rd - The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley24th - Knee Deep by Jolene Perry25th - The Dehumanized (Michael Loring) Cover Reveal26th - An interview with Michael Loring27th - Back to Bataan by Jerome Charyn28th - Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose29th - An interview with Frankie Rose30th - The full 'Society of Feathers' series cover revealJuly 1st - The wrap up post, winners and more!
Sincerely,Emma Michaels