[caladanbrood]

Glass;158014 said:

I believe people love to bitch just to bitch. I admire both Steve Stone and Todd Lockwood. But people have to understand most of their problems flow from the publisher's art department and the direction therein.

I don't think anyone has problems with the quality of the art. It's the format used and the pictures chosen that annoy people.

[Folken]

I love the art it self...never complained about that have I? It's the layout as brood said. So useless...my bookcase is RUINED*cries*

I love Todd's work, even though it seems a bit generic fantasy, it's still awesome and Steve Stone's art, with the exception of only MT, is absolutely fantastic and Deadhouse Gates was a work pure genius.

[Abyss]

amphibian;158009 said:

... but it would probably be a very satisfying one for the devoted fan or repeat reader (which is where a good chunk of the money comes from).

Nope. You're a guaranteed sale. They don't care what you think bcs they know you'll buy, and love, the book. They're trying to draw in new readers, even with book 7.

- Abyss, would buy a new SE book if it were covered in old diapers.

[Glass]

Quote

It's the format used and the pictures chosen that annoy people.

And that's not the artist's problem, and yet most people on here point fingers at Todd or Steve. I know this is because people don't understand how cover art is created and what the publisher does with it, but it is still sad. People can't say, "Well, obviously Todd didn't read the book because this scene blah blah blah." Todd is told what to paint and he in turns does it or he won't get a paycheck.

So, art departments. Art directors, specifically. They choose the format and layout; they choose the scene depicted and are responsible for giving good information to the artist.

As for what I know about the cover, I promised to stay mum about it: That includes the scene or sharing the artwork. Tor currently has the artwork, likes it, and they will decide when it will be shown. Only after they officially announce it and show it will Todd post it on his website and here for us all to see.

[Glass]

Oh, and about the new layout of the covers for Bonehunters and Reaper's Gale: Personally I like it. I found the other UK covers boring, to be honest, especially Midnight Tides and Bonehunters. I like the more iconic cover art with the lone character in the center surrounded by darkness -- if they could go back and do covers with other characters that'd be awesome.

[caladanbrood]

Glass;158380 said:

And that's not the artist's problem, and yet most people on here point fingers at Todd or Steve.

Hate to quibble, but looking back through this thread, and others on seperate forums, no one actually complains about the artists. So... evidently most people don't point fingers at them.

[Glass]

Caladanbrood, when people criticize the artwork like HERE they are in fact criticizing the artist. To me they are, anyway. They aren't saying, "Well, the publisher sure screwed this one up," or "The publisher really has no idea how big Scabby was," or any number of things. When they write their thoughts, the "they" they are referring to is the artist because they have the largest part to play in it.

And what I am saying is although the artist does have a certain responsibility, alot more of that "they" must be pointed toward the publisher and the art department. That's all I am saying.

In short, the elements that people don't like in the US Midnight Tides cover art is not the artist but the direction -- unless of course you are the one poster who says the cover has no "Malazan feel" to it. Then you can criticize Todd's work until the dogs come home.

[caladanbrood]

Again though, in that thread, the vast majoirty of the responses are very positive to the art. Not 100%, but if anyone's expecting that, they're hopelessly optimistic;)

As for my personal opinion, like I posted in that thread:

caladanbrood said:

Let's just finally rejoice that they've found a decent artist for the US covers and are sticking with him!

[Dolorous Menhir]

I don't think people are saying the images are poorly drawn.

They are saying it's a poor choice of material. This reflects on the person who chose that material, and as noted above that's not the artist.

Perhaps the publishers have figures that say books with generic covers sell better. My intuition and personal experience would argue against that, but I'm one person, and not the general fantasy reading public.

[Tif the Barber Boy]

came across an article on the life cycle of a book on andre norton's website that includes this on book covers:

"Somewhere during this time the publisher gets cover art, and chooses a title. An author seldom has control of title or cover art.... There are cover artists who actually have the luxury of reading a book before drawing the cover, but mostly they are given just a paragraph describing some special scene. The cover for "Songsmith", made both A.C. Crispin and Andre Norton unhappy about the size of the horse, and the age of the people (don't remind them that the original art for the witch had her skin green). On the cover for "Stand to Horse" Andre tells me that the color for the uniforms is wrong, and after she had done such careful research. My favorite cover error is that for "Flight in Yiktor". The cover illustration is pretty nice, and might sell more copies, but it gives away a major plot line."

Link to the article:
http://www.andre-nor...g/article7.html

[Bl1nder]

Glass;158381 said:

Oh, and about the new layout of the covers for Bonehunters and Reaper's Gale: Personally I like it. I found the other UK covers boring, to be honest, especially Midnight Tides and Bonehunters. I like the more iconic cover art with the lone character in the center surrounded by darkness -- if they could go back and do covers with other characters that'd be awesome.

And what, then we all gonna buy the books again because we want the new covers? (sad thing is I'll probbably do it)

[Glass]

Bl1nder;158746 said:

And what, then we all gonna buy the books again because we want the new covers? (sad thing is I'll probbably do it)

If you do, Bl1nder, then you are a super fan and should be congratulated. Just make sure you don't go hungry the week you buy the other covers. haha

[Folken]

Only Brood and I are super fans:p apart from those manuscript holders our collection is awesome:D

And once I start working...new covers here I come...if only for the sake of having the book case make some sense lol
I knows I'm a freak:(

Behold the tarts:
http://www.malazanempire.com/forums/showth...t=malazan+tarts

[caladanbrood]

I now have the American Hardback editions too...

[Glass]

Did any of you guys buy the remarque edition by Todd Lockwood of House of Chains from my business last year? Just curious who bought them. I am currently working on making that happen again for Midnight Tides as well as an online signing for Reaper's Gale.

[caladanbrood]

Doubt it... I just buy the usual editions mostly - there are enough of them to keep me going for a while;) Have you got a link with information about it at all though - I don't recall which edition you're talking about - I'm assuming a limited run?

[Bl1nder]

Ah, but im sure none of you has the series in 2 different languages, do you ? . Since I had half of the books in english, and the other half in bulgarian, and they were different size I got anoyed, and bought all the books in english, so now I got the Malazan series and a half

[Glass]

Brood,

I own a small business called The Signed Page where people can order signed or personalized copies of their favorite forthcoming fantasy books, usually at cover price. Last year I also had Todd Lockwood with me when I met Steven, and they both signed copies of the US House of Chains for fans. It wasn't limited -- anyone could have ordered.

Right now people can order the new books by Guy Gavriel Kay, China Mieville, and Tad Williams. I was merely curious who here had ordered the Lockwood remarque edition I had up last year.

[Tsundoku]

I'm not really upset about the cover for this one (or the one for RG) so much as puzzled as to why they aren't DISTINCTIVE or representative of the story a bit more. I do like the artwork, but I understand the artists are commissioned to do a certain type of scene, which is where I think it can be improved.

Remember, the idea is to make it distinct from all the other dross out there. I actually liked TBH cover (with Kalam and the ... other guys ...), although i thought a better scene might have been a group of actual BH troopers with clear BH insignia looking down on Y'Ghatan with worried expressions. You know - all dusty, worn etc.

Cheers,

La Sombra, but what do I know - I'm just a model?

[Called-by-the-Voices]

'orrible. They shoud've sticked to the trade paperback artwork (although Kalam sucked bigtime on that one)