The last decisions around the Second Edition of The Shadow of the Past were largely around formatting, cover, and map.
Formatting
The formatting was fairly straightforward, and largely was around adding a copyright page, table of contents linked to the correct pages, dedication, and a final pass on grammar. That largely did not take long but was important for the second edition to create a more polished appearance.
Cover
The cover was a greater question, I wanted something unique and customized to the story rather than the generic photo of the first edition, which worked but wasn’t unique enough. I did some research and found out that while it wouldn’t be difficult, or prohibitively expensive to get someone, or a friend, to do a cover for me. I seriously considered this option because my own limited talent at the visual arts is well known. During that time I did do a quick sketch of what I wanted it to look like.
Ultimately, having read that regardless of what the original fee was, using someone else’s artwork runs into potential rights and royalties issues, if not immediately, then down the road. So I decided to take a stab at doing it myself on a computer, and after watching a few tutorials took a stab.
While I was pleased with the landscape I was less thrilled with the tower, colors, and how the eyes turned out. I took another stab at it applying some lessons I learned.
I was much pleased with the colors, and the shadows here but the eyes popped too much and wanted to see if I could make other improvements.
I was less pleased on my third attempt with the colors and how things scale together and this felt less bold and vivid to me. I did like how the eyes were more faded, so I gave it one more stab.
I brought in the faded eyes to my second attempt and was a lot more pleased with the overall effect. I was never able to make the armies involved in the scene appear and it is far from perfect, but it is unique, and mine and I am pleased with the result and can take the lesson to create other covers in the future.
Map
Map was an easier decision, while I like a good map, it is not my forte and especially with the unique geography of Si’ranna makes it more effort than the benefit would be.
Best wishes and happy Thanksgiving
Check out the Second Edition of The Shadow of the Past.
The Shadow of the Past https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TDJSN2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xgI3
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