Cover Art!?

[Scribe]

Hello everyone,

I've been writing a fantasy trilogy, and am halfway through the second book. I'll be releasing it shortly on Podiobooks.com, but I have one slight issue: cover art.

Where does everyone get their cover art? I want something that looks fairly professionaly, and still suits my work. I can make the title text and all of that, but I'm struggling. I've waded through thousands of pictures on CC, just to find that the good ones are non-derivation or all-rights-reserved.

Where is everyone getting the art for your beautiful covers?

Thanks!

L.Scribe Harris

PS: I've attached my shoddy attempts--a picture I drew about eight years ago.

[Philippa Ballantine]

I have used artists on Deviant Art that I liked- you have to pay for it of course, but there is some amazing talent there.

[Scribe]

That's what I figured. By the way, I just started listening to "Chasing the Bard" (and I LOVE it--went to Stratford on holiday this summer), so it's funny to me that you're the first commenter on the discussion.

Thanks for the tip. :)

[Philippa Ballantine]

The podcast world is a small community so you are always likely to bump into someone :)
BTW I don't think your drawing is that shoddy at all. Sometimes keeping things simple is a good way to go. Most of what people are going to see of your cover is going to be quite small, so sometimes a strong graphic image works quite well.
As an example of what I got for $US50 from Deviant Art is http://www.chasingthebard.com/wp-content/uploads/episodes/puck.jpg which I didn't use as cover art- but I think captures Puck quite well.

[Scribe]

That is the cutest picture!

[Mike Sharpe]

When paying for stuff, sometimes they'll accept Art Trades. That's assuming you're good enough take it and know how to make a deal.

This are two of My characters from Times Fly: The Fall (Thanks Tee for the Name) Susana and Keiya. Yeah It's my Avatar. http://luna-89.deviantart.com/art/Art-Trade-Susana-n-Keiya-60079836 I did intend this to be the cover, but I completely re-wrote the story, and Keiya has one line, and Susana is there two scenes.

I did a 3d piece of her Character in return. http://bignutter.deviantart.com/art/Luna-s-Red-Light-Dilemma-61798550 (The Coffee joke started with her: http://luna-89.deviantart.com/art/perfect-coffee-addict-36518829 )

The "New" Hero of Times Fly: The Fall is Lana, and I got an Image in another Trade: http://lostindarklight.deviantart.com/art/Bignutter-trade-done-8084... for http://bignutter.deviantart.com/art/Sol-84461998

The Main Problem is that Susana's race is hard to make in the 3d software I use.

Today, my price could be easy on your wallet, but not on your Mic. Let me know if you're interested. I can't make certain Props until next week the earliest.

[Scribe]

Very cute pictures. Not quite what I'm going for, but I really appreciate the offer! :) Thanks for the idea. I do like doing art and such, so it might be worth it to try for art trade!

[Jeffrey Kafer - Male Voice talent]

I don't think your cover is at all shoddy. I've certainly seen worse.

[Scribe]

Thanks. :) I'm going to continue shopping around for something a bit more professional-looking, but I guess it's OK for a working-cover.