penrefe

Category: Book News

  • Sexy Covers Part 2 (Now with Sexy Wallpapers!)

    April Fools! I’m not really making anything sexier! 9/10 characters from the series would rather stab themselves in the eyes with their own fingers than touch one another. (Confused? See this post.)

    Ahahahahaha.

    I really, really, really hope no one prefers those new covers, and I’m petrified that people will. Maybe I could release these as some kind of “special edition” hardbacks or something, I dunno.

    I do find it quite apt that the announcement got more views to my blog than any other post so far, and that includes the competition where I am giving shit away. It’s true, folks. Sex really does sell. Dirty pervs.

    More changes I was originally going to put on that post (but then decided not to, because I wanted it to be believable and I think these go just a touch too far) included the following character/setting changes:

    • Catrina is no longer the struggling gun-for-hire when Fox finds her. Instead, she’s a prostitute, saved from life on the streets by the tall, dark handsome stranger. They no longer dance around the idea of “will they, won’t they”. In fact, they end up in bed on their first night together, and the majority of the first book becomes a tale of their fiery, turbulent relationship. As a result, 90% of “The Genesis” now takes place in Fox’s bedroom.
    • Speaking of whom, Fox was now a professional body-builder when he was human (that and a stripper at the weekends, but only so he could pay his way through college and get that law degree to make his mother proud), which gives him pectorals that dance as well as a permanent look of despondency to add to his ever-present scowl.
    • The Genesis is now driven by lust, not aggression.
    • Themisium is now an aphrodisiac.
    • The Archway Vicinity is now a brothel, as well as an experiment centre. The experiments are now sexy.

    So yes, there we go. I just know this is going to backfire on me somehow, but anyway, I felt like having some fun.

    If you’re so inclined, feel free to download the wallpapers (right-click on the link relative to your screen type and select “Save Link As”):

    Widescreen
    Fullscreen
    iPhone

    Widescreen
    Fullscreen
    iPhone

    Happy April Fools’ Day!

    Don’t forget I have an actual competition in search of a new name for my city.
    Feel free to enter!

  • Let’s Talk About Covers, Baby

    The latest edit of “The Genesis” is off sunning itself with the Muse (a.k.a. being torn to pieces). When I get it back, I expect the manuscript to be a trembling, terrified, but wholly improved draft, ready for me to take another (and final) bash at it.

    While I wait for its return, I’m considering my options with regards to the book cover. I’d like some opinions on the below designs, prompted by feedback I’ve already had. I myself am torn. I love both covers for different reasons.

    On the one hand, the model I have for the cover is absolutely ideal for the part of Catrina, and I like the idea of giving the reader an idea of the main character before they’ve started reading. In terms of the series as a whole, having the girls on the 3 books surrounding Catrina’s story work well to indicate the progression of her story (you’re getting closer to her, get it?! Full of symbolism. Layers, baby. Layers.). If I was to go ahead with the second design, I’d need to remove all the models from all the covers, and I don’t know whether the books might look a little too generic like that.

    On the other hand, I do like the impact the one with the background only has. I think it jumps out a little more, and it emphasises the title, since I’m not distracted by the presence of a pretty lady.

    versus

    What do you think? Do you like people on your book covers? Do you like having an idea of characters, or would you prefer to envision them yourself? Is there too much or too little in the two designs?

    And before anyone starts commenting “they both look shit”, even if you do think that (and hey, everyone’s entitled to their opinion), instead consider telling me which one you think is the least shit.

    Finally, bear in mind that these are still concepts at this point, and may be subject to further amendments before release.

    Thanks for reading! Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments below.