Jessica McAulay
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
On the cover of the books, who are the two men posing as Royce and Hadrian? Or are they just drawings?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Jessica,
I have no idea. The cover artist is a gentleman by the name of Larry Rostant. He's done a lot of fantasy covers over the years and is very well known in the industry. What I "think" happened is he hired actors (and as I mentioned I don't know their names), and Larry brought them into the studio and did a bunch of pictures. Then, afterward, he "paints over them" so they aren't exactly "photos" and he adds in the background and what not.
To be honest, I don't think those two look anything like the Royce and Hadrian that I have in my mind's eye. (And that's one of the reasons I don't like having characters prominently displayed on covers). But there are a lot of people who were attracted to the books BECAUSE of those two, so I guess the covers did their job.
Did you think they represented the characters as you see them?
I have no idea. The cover artist is a gentleman by the name of Larry Rostant. He's done a lot of fantasy covers over the years and is very well known in the industry. What I "think" happened is he hired actors (and as I mentioned I don't know their names), and Larry brought them into the studio and did a bunch of pictures. Then, afterward, he "paints over them" so they aren't exactly "photos" and he adds in the background and what not.
To be honest, I don't think those two look anything like the Royce and Hadrian that I have in my mind's eye. (And that's one of the reasons I don't like having characters prominently displayed on covers). But there are a lot of people who were attracted to the books BECAUSE of those two, so I guess the covers did their job.
Did you think they represented the characters as you see them?
More Answered Questions
Robert Warner
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hello, Michael! I recently devoured your Riyria series and enjoyed it immensely. I've also been impressed with how active you seem to be with your fans and the community here at Goodreads, which drove me to ask this question. I'm an aspiring amateur writer myself, but I've been having trouble getting feedback on my work. Do you have any advice on methods or avenues through which to ask for comments or reviews?
Chris McGrath
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
With The First Empire series being basically written already, and some sold, is there a plan to release them in relatively quick succession or will they be spread out like normal sequels, one a year or so? I ask mainly because as much as I am looking forward to that series, it would be a shame to have to wait 3-5 years for more Royce & Hadrian.
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