We are happy to have author Sandy Williams here today to celebrate the release of The Shattered Dark.
Hugging Covers
One of the things I was most excited about when I sold THE SHADOW READER to Ace was the cover. To me, a cover means a book is real. It’s no longer a jumble of scenes in my head or a long document of words staring back at me from my computer. It’s something I can point to and say, “See! I did it! I’m finally a real author!” So, naturally, one of the things that terrified me the most was seeing the cover. A cover can make or break a book, in my opinion, and I loved the story I wrote so much. I wanted to love the cover just as much. When my editor’s email popped up saying “The cover is here!” I stopped breathing. I didn’t click on it. I sat there at my desk for a good ten minutes trying to decide if I should look at it myself or send it to my husband or mom or a beta reader to get their opinions first. They could prepare me if it was horrible. Comfort me if it made me cry. The problem was, I’m an impatient person, and there was no telling how long it would take them to get back to me. So, I clicked.
My first words when I saw THE SHADOW READER’s cover? “WTF? Really?!” Now, don’t get me wrong. Even though I was wide eyed and staring at the sword, I recognized just how beautiful the cover was. I feel like one of the luckiest authors on the planet because it’s gorgeous. Gorgeous! But I wrote the book. I know McKenzie pretty darn well, and one of the biggest points I wanted to make in the book was how normal she is, and normal people don’t know how to use a freaking sword. Finally, I wrenched my gaze away from the sword and focused on McKenzie, and that’s when I was blown away by this cover. McKenzie is exactly how I picture her. Long, dark hair. Serious expression. She’s wearing jeans and a tank top and… Okay, so maybe her butt is a bit more… voluptuous than I imagined, but that was fine with me because McKenzie is hot! I love everything about her, and I love the swirly shadows and magic in the background. The artist, Gene Mollica, is freaking brilliant. Fast forward a year later, and I was much less nervous when my editor sent me the cover for THE SHATTERED DARK.
When I opened the file, my gaze immediately went to the sword again. This time, I just laughed and shrugged. McKenzie still doesn’t know how to use a sword. In fact, when McKenzie is given a sword toward the end of the book, I wrote:
His gaze locks onto my sword, and I swear to God, I see his eyes widen. Great. I look as ridiculous as I feel carrying this thing.
I love THE SHATTERED DARK’s cover just as much as THE SHADOW READER’s. McKenzie does look a little different – she has darker eyeliner, perhaps? – but it’s the same cover model and the same awesome, swirly magic in the background. Both covers serve their purpose well: they mark the book as an urban fantasy and draw the attention of readers. I couldn’t ask for better covers than these! I’m not nervous about book three’s cover. I’m excited for it! I have complete trust in Ace and Gene Mollica on these books. I do have to say, though, that it would be cool if I could get a certain kimki on the cover.
Thanks Sandy! Today we have one copy of The Shattered Dark to giveaway. To enter just leave a comment. Open to US only through October 31.
Well I wish my butt looked like hers. I have The Shadow Reader on my TBR pile. Need to get on it, now I’m curious about that sword.
So do I! What’s funny is, when my husband takes my book or bookmarks to work, his coworkers ask if that’s his wife on the cover. ha ha ha ha No!
Hope you enjoy The Shadow Reader! :-)
I love the covers of these books! The colors are gorgeous.
I love how Gene Mollica can make pink and purple look so kickbutt!
I have to agree, I am a huge cover lover and I like both of these. First off the girl is gorgeous and a smokin’ body. Wish I looked like her. I love to read and buy books and have bought books because of the cover alone. Love the sound of the story and would love to win. Definately on my reading/cover radar.
I remember being struck by The Shadow Reader’s cover partly. Enjoyed that book much.
Sandy, your novels and their covers are great! I can’t wait to read your series!
Thanks, Julie! Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for the giveaway – The Shadow Reader is in my TBR pile – and now I have another to add in.
They are beautiful! Never heard of them but would love to try it!
Haha, good to know I’m not the only one who couldn’t stop looking at her butt!
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love when a cover screams UF like these, because it makes me want to buy them before I even know what the book is about.
Too funny how it seems like every UF cover these days has to feature a girl with a sword, regardless of whether she actually uses one.
I really want to read this. I’ve heard great things about it. Hope I win. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love the covers – and McKenzie isn’t actually fighting anyone with the swords, so maybe that works with the story. :D I think this is an awesome series and I’m looking forward to reading The Shattered Dark.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
ha ha. She does pick up a sword once or twice. ;-)
Thanks for the chance to win! Looking forward to ‘The Shattered Dark’. I really liked ‘The Shadow Reader’.
Your eyes are certainly drawn to her butt on the first cover, lol! Both covers are awesome, though, which is great since I loved the first book in the series.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked The Shadow Reader and can’t wait to read The Shattered Dark.
It’s funny because after I read it I thought it was funny how she had a sword like she was an amazing fighter when, as the author said, one of the things about her that I liked was how normal she is. They’re both really nice covers, but it always baffles me when I see covers that don’t reflect what’s going on inside (other than the sword, okay, and the butt on the first one, these two are actually pretty good).
heh Yep, I want McKenzie to come off as normal as possible. You’re right, though, other than the sword, these are pretty much perfect (though McKenzie wouldn’t wear such short tanks!). I love the swirly magic Gene Mollica puts in the backgrounds.
I really like the cover to the Shadow Reader.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Changes in cover models is a huge pet peeve of mine (I’m looking at you Chicagoland Vampires and Cal Leandros series!) so I love that they have the same model, who I like and yes, like the other commentors, I’d like to look like her too!
Oh yeah, I loved the first book as well!
I think the covers are stunning. What I love even more is that the author loves them. It is great when I find out that the author thinks the covers are great!
I like both covers…maybe your editor or someone thereabout is trying to send some subliminal message that McKenzie could use a sword in a coming book?
*mysterious grin*
I really like both covers!
The covers *are* gorgeous! Don’t pick me; I already own the book. I’d like somebody else to have it who hasn’t read it before because it’s totally worth the read!
I’d love to see if the kimki looks like I imagine it to look like. :-)