me, a book cover designer? who would've thunk?! and finally a hub!
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I know it's been a loooong time coming, but it's here. A new hub. And it took me four months to put it together. Okay, I lie. It's more like two hours. But technically, since I was out of the loop for four months...
So you read the title. Yeah, I am now a certified book cover designer. With possibly two books safely under my belt when the new year rolls in - one is currently in printing and the other, well I'm keeping my fingers crossed and the author's friendship a priority. I might have stopped writing on HubPages but I did not totally call it quits as far as my pursuit of artistic greatness is concerned. Oh wait, I didn't stop writing at all. Let's just say I parked my pen somewhere else - where all my so-called poetry from here and some new stuff are. It's called diptyched (click to visit). But I digress. This is not about me as a writer but me as a cover book designer. I still can't believe I would be vamping my resume with that title. I thought depressed writer would be the logical new addition.
It's our fellow hubber cindyvine's fault. She was in need for a book cover design and I slipped one through her FB door. I'm not sure now if I forced er, volunteered for the job or if she asked for my help. But whatever the case may be, it's all water under the bridge. The book is in printing and the cover design is mine. And more importantly, she's happy and I'm happier! Take a look:
And just recently, and this time I'm certain, she wrote me to come up with a design for a new book she's writing. It's fiction, a suspense thriller I'm told. She gave me the plot (sorry, no spoilers here lest I get killed) and voila I sent her these images:
As I'm typing this, Ms Vine's holding a poll on FB and the image that will come out on top will be used as the cover of her new book Defective.
So there. My newest pursuit. And a hub at last!
other books cindy vine
 | Amazon Price: $12.24 List Price: $15.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $12.63 List Price: $15.00 |
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Nice to see I'm not the only one not producing on HP...lol. Life gets busy, doesn't it? Well done, Cris--and great cover designs.
I'll check out Ms. Vines' place on the web...later.
Hey Sandy!
Nice to see you ON HubPages - gee, I haven't said that for ages! Haha Yeah, that doll could give Chucky some competition. Hey thanks for the vote of confidence, appreciated. :D
@rand
Whatsup? I see there's nothing much as far as HP goes! Haha yeah life's been pretty hectic of late...and I was lethargic - not a good combo! Haha Thanks for dropping by. :D
AIDY came back to comment? Fantastic!
Hey Cris! (Plug here..) love love love your blog! Ok.. now for the matter at hand. You have been missed, but your talents aren't laying around idle.. love the Africa book cover! The others.. are.. well gruesome so they may be perfect! I can't pick one. However you got the job - I say congrats! And.. welcome back for however long we have you!
Wow, they look amazing.
It's weird, I have also recently added 'book cover designer' to my resume, one for my mum and another for one of her friends.
Those 'Defective' ones are really really good, I couldn't do anything like that. I was wondering, what software did you use to do those? I've been using Photoshop elements, but I'm finding I can't do some of the things I want to do.
Congrats. Your art work is wonderful. I wish I understood how to do this.
Keep on hubbing!
i think the last pic is the best.
congratulations to your new job. it looks like one gratifying job.
Hi Cris, it's totally cool and I love that you are growing in so many ways...exploring the many ways to express your talents! So proud of you...happy and blessed to read this hub!
And oh, as for defective, I love the first and the last one. I shudder at both but I love the idea! :)
Cris, I am not surprised at all that you are now a book cover designer, I had thought of emailing you and ask if I could hire you for the cover of my spiritual book, but, money was short and my sister picked a cover for me. Perhaps for another book? :) I can't seem to pick, but even if I am not into gore, you did a great job with all covers! I like when hubbers come together and blend their talents.
Good to see you here even if I see you in FB and your blog from time to time.
Hi Cris,
I missed you! So this is where you have been hiding or what you have been doing. They are fantastic! I'm happy to know a book cover designer! You are really good!
Nice to have you back!
Good to see you back, and creative as ever! :)
Those book covers might even inspire more of us to attempt writing a book!!!
Cris is absolutely brilliantm and I have to say, never again will I attempt to design my own cover when I have someone as professional and brilliant as Cris! I'm hoping that more authors discover his amazing abilities and hire him! Who would have thought Cris, when we bumped into each other on Hubpages nearly two years ago, that this is where we will be today?
Hey CindyV! Congrats on another book! I know this is his hub.. but I have to honor you, too! WooHoo!
It's the return of Chris A! He's back and he's badder than ever! (in the good way)... thanks for sharing the tantalizing images and the interesting details on the project and collaboration with Cindyvine...i will check out the diptyched, while trying not to get tongue-tied and calling it "dipstick"...hee...
@Candie - Re AIDY,yeah, that's a feat in itself! Haha
Thanks for letting me know I have been missed - it's good for the ego - if not for the writing! Haha Thanks for checking out the images. And nice to see ya too :D
@Jen
Good for you!
Photoshop is really handy. But I also use this freeware that is easier to work with - similar with Photoshop but more basic. It's called Paint.net. Look for it on the net and try it out. :D
@eovery
Thanks. And I'll try to keep on hubbing :D
@bingskee
Anything that makes you do the things you like doing is a great job. Thanks for dropping by!
@michelle
Haha Yeah, I wouldn't task you with choosing among the Defective images - it's just not you!
Thanks for the support always! :D
@marie
That's too bad. But you know money is not a concern between friends. Anyway, I do hope there's a next time, for another book.
Yeah I've been away for a long time I spent a considerable amount of time navigating through the capsules in the "start a new hub"! LOL
@jill
Really? You tickle me pink - make that fuschia! Haha Glad you liked the designs. :D
@FP
Nice to see you here my cat friend. I have exported my poetry to another site just to see more of you! (*wink*)
@cindy
That's too much! But I like it! Haha Like I said before, I thank you for the opportunity. Has it been that long? Yay! And to think we wee just mostly just having fun then! Haha
@watcher
But I never said goodbye my friend, just went on a leave is all. But anyway, nice to see you again. I hope you've been productive while I was away - I'm looking forward to getting updated. Thanks for dropping by. Still no avatar? Want me to create one for you - just give me a holler! :D
Awesome news, Cris! It's great to see a light shining upon your talents.. And, I'm sure this is just the beginning. All the covers are great. It would be difficult to choose. My guess is, only Miss Vine could make that call.
Congrats Cris, Although we missed you on hubpages, I think it is awesome that the rest of the world, outside the internet world, will have a chance to see how awesome your artwork is. Thanks for sharing and great to hear the news.
Hi Cris,
A book cover designer - You will have your hands full soon, I think, because your art just stands wherever your work is seen.
I am very happy that you're back from your leave from hubpages.
Good luck to your book cover designing!
I honestly think you'ld be great at designing anything. And book covers...of course, these are amazing...lucky Cindy.
An artist is an artist, is an artist; I am not surprised your talent is manifesting itself in new directions, so keep it going and the best of luck
*sambahin!* LOL. So proud of you! First a book cover designer, next an author. Congrats!
Hi Cris! Good to see you again and good to know that you are full of energy and ideas :-)
Welcome back :-)
For me Chris it's the doll hands down. How lovely to be doing what makes you joyous.
Well, well, well. I tried to hold off til after the uproar died down, but I just have to say---AWESOME SAUCE!
Congrats to you, and good luck! Hopefully it'll help people who judge a book by a cover to impulsively buy it. ;)
@jodi
Thanks! Talent or no talent what's more important to me is that I like it when I'm creating. And that other people enjoy them too. :D
@Whikat
I know, four months is, well, four months! Haha But I didn't not spend them sleeping. Glad to se you again. I was trying to get in touch with you but your not connected to HP via email. Anyway twas about my site and well you can find the link above. :D
@france
Hopefully, and I won't be complaining - I kind like that kind of busy! Haha Thanks for the support as always my friend :D
@alek
Thank you for the kind words. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! :D
@Petra
I'm just so thankful for the wonderful opportunity to do what I like doing best. :D
@witch emie
The author thing is quite a long shot - a very very long one! Haha But I'm happy to be in the company of some very good ones.
@DG
Nice to see you again my friend. I hope you're all good. Thanks for the warm welcome, and the modules too - I haven't found the time to read everything but I know they would be good for me. So how's Mr It these days? :D
@RB
I just knew you'd pick the "doll cover". Yes, it's a blessing in itself. :D
@lexi
Oh these people just missed me. Wait till my next hub comes out! Haha
You've always been one of the truly supportive guys around and I'll forever be grateful to you. I might repay you with a book cover design should you finally get down to publishing a book in print - if Kari does not beat me to it, that is! Haha
Hey Cris, welcome back! And what a coming back... congratulations!
Well, now that I already know of a good book cover designer I must start writing my first book :D
Hey Cris, another author has just contacted me asking for your contact details! They need a book cover designed!
Well done you. Good luck in your new ventures
@funride
Thanks man.
That sounds like a plan. Give me a holler when your done! Haha
@cindy
Really? Cool!
@ethel
Thanks for dropping in :D
They're all so good! Who could choose?
oh cris! im so proud of you and maybe a little jealous... ok a lot jealous! hehehe. i love the decapitated mannequin! congratulations luv!
@Jess
It;s not my problem anymore, it's Cindy's! Haha
@buddy
Jealousy in a good way is, well, good! Haha Thanks for dropping by. Yeah that one's creepy!
nice goin, man! glad to hear that good things still happen for people these days. :)
Barely breathing, hope floats my friend. Barely but breathing :D
If it's gruesome needed, the doll is most gruesome for what it implies but doesn't say. For design, the first one is extremely good!
It is good to see you, Chris! And your artistic talents are most impressive!!
Yeah, I like the art in the beginning but the last few are disturbing, well bluntly barbaric and gorey.
But book designing is a good skill to have. I need that service for ebooks.
@Nellieanna
thanks for the input. i'll get that across to cindyvine.
Nice to see you too. And hear the glowing remarks, of course! Haha :D
@ocbill
Haha I think that's the idea behind the book. Yep I agree, sometimes, it's the cover that rouses a prospective reader's attention first :D
Great to see you back here, Cris!
So book cover designer added to your many skills?
Way to go, my friend!
OH YOUNG-IN, I am so glad to see you back again and you were truly missed. I always thought you were handed a talented gift with your imagination in your photo's and now see where it has led you!!!!!!
CRIS!! the covers are just WOW ... totally in love right now !!!!! GOD!! THIS IS AMAZING!! i am totally asking for this as a wallpaper !! YOu know if MS Vine is interested, she can have printed t-shirts just to promote the book {that's what i think :D} for me if i see the cover or the t-shirt i am FOR SURE going to read the book LOL ... btw is the book out yet?
i am so missing your magic. i mentioned you in the forums..... on what colour is????? and thought i would peek at your work, and hey presto here you are again.... well done, you are full of talent....
Oh Cris! You are amazing. I am happy for you. This is definitely good news.
Thanks guys, you really know how to inflate my ego - and I lurve y'all to bits!
The magic continues on my poetry/image site diptyched.blogspot.com :D
Cris, which cover did Cindy go with?
I thought that belly looked familiar! Haha Oh, I think she's going with the last design but I'm not sure.
Fantastic stuff Cris, well done. The last design for 'Defective' with the scissors making the V is the most impressive for me - perfectly suited to a suspense thriller. Cindy is lucky to have found you. So, congratulations on your success, may it long continue and may you long post these hubs. Cheers')
Many thanks Mc! Should you ever need something like the ones above...haha :D
oh welcome dear! nice post
Congrats on breaking into a new skill.
I love the first image :)
As for the book covers I give my vote to the mannequin and bloody scissors.
@moneycop - Thanks! I think :D
@cashmere - The author chose exactly the same cover, It's now published. Thanks for dropping by :D
Ooooh, congrats! I go MIA for a while and when I come back you've found yourself an ultra-cool new career :)
congratulations. I love those covers with the scissors and outfit and the other one with the mannequin and scissors. Awesome
Thanks Ardie, nice to see that you're still uh doing the rounds round here :D
Thanks jfay :D
AIDY 19 months ago
Can I say fantastic! Brilliant Cris, this is such an honor to see your work finally go mainstream! And for such another brilliant author! Awesome Cris! It would be very difficult to make a decision. But I am partial to the doll cover (center). Oh yeah, that one is fierce!
Just Awesome!