Need Amazing Cover Art? #amwriting



I've introduced you before, but I want you to all say hi to Ryan Bibby, cover artist extrordinaire! Ryan lives in New Zealand with his wife and kids and is building up his clientele list as a cover artist. Not only his he an AMAZING artist that SERIOUSLY will knock your socks off. He produces high quality work that stands alongside some of the BEST covers in the industry. There is no doubt in my mind that without his amazing covers, my books wouldn't sell even half as well as they do. People judge books by their covers, plain and simple.

Its a funny story how I met Ryan. You remember the cover art polls I was doing late last year? Ryan contacted me and offered his services as a prize for the cover art that recieved the lowest number of votes. Aww, what a sweetie! I did point out that might not go over so well with the "winner" of the new cover art, so instead we did a draw off another posting all about Ryan. If you want to check that out, click HERE.

After that, it was all downhill! Just kidding!

 Ryan put together my Zombie-ish Apopcalypse cover art, Ingredients of a Cauldron and my most recent title, Priceless. He works across the board with different genres, and honestly is FABULOUSLY easy to work with.
Ryan is still building his clientele list, so if you are looking for cover art, I can recommend Ryan without reservation as a talented artist, great guy and all around workhorse when it comes to making sure your cover art is spot on.

So take a minute and check out just a few of Ryan's cover art in a variety of genres.

To contact Ryan email him at ryan.a.bibby@gmail.com OR you can check out his new website

book-cover-designs.com

 

 

 

 

 

#IndieBookBlowout Final thoughts

I was lucky enough to be a part of IBB 12 days of Christmas Event which has been a total blast! If you haven't checked it out yet, you should. Like, immediately following the reading of this post! ;p

By Ryan Bibby- http://novelbranding.com/

With that in mind, there are TONS of great books, Sundered included in that list that are only .99. In fact, in order to win the Kindle, all you have to do is sign up for their newsletter, which gives you even more chances to win. It's Crazy, I know.

But, anyway, on to the meat of the post. Was the money I put out for the promotion worth it?

I paid for the $100 level, which gave me good exposure, an optimization class which if you read my previous posts(Why your Cover Sucks and it's Killing your sales), you can see the results with my HUGE cover change, it's given me a chance to rub elbows with a Kindle Bestselling Author, Carolyn McCray and absorb some of her knowledge, I've met a ton of other authors AND, for once, I didn't have to do ALL the work. :)

So, would I recommend this type of promotion to other authors?

Yes, I would. I've seen my exposure increase along with my sales which is the whole point, right?

IBB has been easy to work with, very much concerned with helping the authors get the most bang for their buck and really, overall, very, very willing to go the extra mile to help.

Psst. Here's the new cover for Bound, since you're here, let me know what you think!

By Ryan Bibby- http://novelbranding.com/

Interview & Giveaway with Cover Artist Ryan Bibby

I'd like to welcome Ryan Bibby, an up and coming Cover Artist who took some time out from his schedule to share with us writers, a few things about himself and his work. He has also very generously offered a FREE COVER to a random commenter on this post!

Here's a little about Ryan, and be sure to check out his new site http://novelbranding.com/

Ryan Bibby an English man in Auckland (Sounds similar to the Police lyric don’t you think?) I’m 30 years young. Married to the most amazing woman with two incredible children, Isabel 2 ½ and Dexter who is 8 months old. I studied at University in the UK and worked for several years around England before moving to the southern hemisphere for the better weather and lifestyle here in New Zealand. No regrets what so ever!

http://jonathandallen.com/

1. What made you decide to get into doing cover art for books?

It’s something I have always thought about before in the past but never really had the opportunity. It wasn’t until a chance tweet that I stumble across the indie book scene and discovered the quality and depth that is out there. I couldn’t believe the quality of the writing and wondered why some novels “made it” and other remained somewhat underground. So I thought I might be able to offer something to help get a book noticed. I know it’s not the whole deal but making an eye catching professional cover can certainly help when it comes to be taken seriously in the huge market out there.

2. I'm guessing that like all creative types, you have a particular form of inspiration, would you mind sharing it with us?

No! Just kidding, it’s nothing special really I get most of my inspiration just from wandering around with my eyes open. Anything that catches my attention really, be it a advert on the side of a bus or a promotional flyer that gets put in the letterbox. You can find great design all over the place it’s just a case of opening your eyes and realising what you’re looking at. I’m also a bit of typography geek! I can spend hours (seriously) just browsing through different fonts and sometimes this can be the foundation of the entire design. Since I started taking the book cover side of design seriously I’m also a permanent resident in my local second hand book shop picking up whatever catches my eye.

3. I see a lot of Stephen King's, The Dark Tower artwork on your site. Is this a particular favorite of yours?

Absolutely, there is something about King that just speaks to me, it’s as if he can paint pictures straight into the old grey matter. The Dark Tower in particular is something I seem to always find my way back too every couple of years. For those of you that have it on the to-do-list… DO IT! You won’t regret it I promise.

4. Are you looking for clients right now?

Being new to this area of design I don’t yet have the word out there about what I can do and offer. So yes I’m on the hunt for anyone that wants to see what I can put together. I try and pride myself on listening to the client and keeping in constant communication with regards to how progress is going. From experience people really appreciate being kept in the loop even if it’s just letting them know you can’t do any work on a particular day it’s better to let them know then to drop of the radar for 24 hours. Communication is king in my book.

5. What's your turn around time from being given the idea for the cover art and having it back into your clients eager little hands?

I try and get something for them to look at in within a week. It normally takes a little back and forth to get to the finished design, but once again it’s all down to communication. This is where, so far, working with authors has been a total dream. For oblivious reason you can articulate yourself so much better than the normal grunts and shoulder shrugs I get from other clients when putting together a design brief. I also try and take my time, as your novel is normally a very personal thing, your baby if you like and it’s an honor to be allowed to put a face to that for the world to see. In fact it’s a really cool thing to get the chance to do.

6. Do you mind if I ask how much you are charging?

For an ebook cover my rate is a very reasonable $35. Which I would like to think is a bargain. One of the reasons for this price point is that as with all design fields you’re constantly learning, so I see every project as a learning experience that I don’t have to pay for. So you get a cover that you’re happy with and I get to hone my craft, it’s a win win really!

7. How long have you been doing cover art for?

Only for a couple of months now, but I have been doing other design work for a number of years. I have been involved with a lot of corporate and branding identity work along with website and other promotional design projects. The t-shirts you can see on my site are just a hobby really to help me vent the creative urge when I get home from a particularly dull day. Design is my passion it’s what enjoy doing so after a day of photo shopping products into customers I love to go home and experiment with some more creative aspects of the software.

8. Favorite book cover of all time is?

Wow tough question, I think it’s most likely also from one of my favorite books of all time or at least in my top 5, the classic 1984. I picked it up along with Animal farm in a bundled deal and they’re really my cup of tea when it comes to design. Very stylised and timeless, looking at them both now the Animal farm cover is probably more striking but I remember the 1984 cover having more of an effect on me at the time. Great covers and both great books. Ask me the same question next week and I would most likely have changed my mind!

9. Sinful indulgence you eat/drink while working on your craft? (Give it up, we all have at least one!)

Guilty as charged, how did you know? My wife is from Scotland so from the outlaws most Christmas and Birthday presents I get tend to come in a bottle aged at least 12 years! So if I’m working in the evening it would likely be a single malt whiskey with a couple of ice cubes. Hmmmmm too early in the day to think about that right now however.

http://jonathandallen.com/

10. Best cover art you've done so far (in your opinion)

Normally it would be the work I have just finished but at the moment I have a special spot for The Kayson Cycle cover. For one, I think the author Jonathan D Allen really dug it, and secondly it’s the first cover that I have had put up for sale. So that’s a special cover for me at the moment. I am also loving the second Angst concept cover that David Pedersen allowed me to do. I think it has some great little touches that make it pop nicely off the page.



http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4487680.David_J_Pedersen

 Thank you so much Ryan for sharing with us your art!

And for all those reading this and looking for a cover artist be sure to check Ryan's sites out and do leave a comment for a chance to win a cover of your very own done by this very talented artist! This opportunity will be all wrapped up by November 10th at noon. Be sure to leave your email so that you can be notified if you are the winner!