Art for my novels

[Dark Guardian]

Hi guys. This is actually my very first time posting in the actual community, I spend most of my time lurking around the Batman subforums. So, I thought I'd start of the occasion by posting some of my Photoshopped artwork for my book.

Yes, I am a writer. I write fantasy novels with my best friend, and we've been writing for about seven years now.

And yes, I am trying to get them published.

Those were going to be your next questions weren't they?

Anyways, I have been working on a series of 'scenes' cut straight out of the book, and brought to life in photoshop. Now, please note that the images I used to bring these scenes together are not original, only the composition of the final image.

Anyways, I just wanted to see what the Hypsters thought about these. Please vote in the poll. And if you can think of any way to improve the third one (because I'm looking at it and thinking that it needs...something...) please add, I know there are alot of talented Photoshoppers on these here boards.

So, without further ado, three scenes from my novels:

 

[Syncos]

the imagery is really nice. however the typography leaves something to be desired. Good work, but could use a few tweaks.

 

[Dark Guardian]

Thanks Syncos. Might I ask what it is about the typography that bothers you?

 

[spdrknight]

So, dark guardian, what are these novels about? Could we get a summary?

Also, how is the process of getting published going?

 

[Dark Guardian]

Heh, I can do better than a summary Spdrknight, I can give you a link to the first chapter if you so wish.

In the fiction world, my novels are considered 'high fantasy' which is basically a fantasy novel that has alot of magic integrated into the world.
I've actually never done a summary before...so here goes:
"In a land of magic and fantastical creatures, not everyone is happy to be neighbored with goblins. An Empire of hatred ravages the land, their soldiers eliminating everything but the human race, determined to 'cleanse the land'. Having forsaken the ways of magic, they press through the land, killing the 'demons' that have shared the land for centuries. But magic itself does not stand idle, and out of hibernation awakens a powerful Guardian, one who will protect the weak and defenseless, using all the magical skills that his foes have left behind. And alongside him, two warriors, on the front lines between freedom, and outright genocide."

Come to think of it, that isn't all that great of a summary. Meh, heres the link to the first chapter:
Forte: Adventure, the Teaser

Have fun!

 

[spdrknight]

Cool, I'll give it a read. Is the novel competed? Where are you with the publishing?

 

[Dark Guardian]

Yes, both the first and second novel in the series is completed, however, I am going through a major re-edit of the first at the moment, because my skill at writing has improved quite a bit since the novel was originally written (about four years ago). As soon as I'm done with the re-edit of the first book, Forte: Adventure, I will send the first three chapters off to Baen Books, the publisher I'm hoping will pick the series up.

 

[spdrknight]

One hint... make sure you don't put your eggs into one basket. Send the manuscript out to a bunch of publishers, that is if the houses don't care that it is being submitted multiple times. Also, you may want to trying getting an agent to represent you. Having someone with experience in your corner makes negotiations easier. It also gives you an edge when submitting. By "an edge" I mean this: you have someone who the publishers will take seriously and you may get the manuscript in the hands of the right person that way. Being a new author sucks hard but everyone starts somewhere.

How old are you Guardian? How much writing experience do you have?

 

[Badger]

Thanks Syncos. Might I ask what it is about the typography that bothers you?

I think what he might mean; is the actual look of just the typography is fine, it just doesn't fit with the backgrounds. Maybe something a little bit more subtle and/or blended?

 

[Dark Guardian]

Mmm, thanks for the tips spdrknight! I'm actually looking at several houses, unfortunately, most of them do require that I send my manuscript to only one place at a time, which I'm fine with, I have the patience and stubborn determination, that if I get rejected, I certainly won't stop writing.
And lets just say, starving college student, who's taken every writing and English class he can find.

Thanks Badgerphil, I wondered what he meant by that, and now that I see it, it does look a bit...contrasted with the backgrounds. I'll look into blending them a bit more.

 

[Syncos]

I think what he might mean; is the actual look of just the typography is fine, it just doesn't fit with the backgrounds. Maybe something a little bit more subtle and/or blended?

There's an overabundance of photoshop filters used on the text, where as, something that was more fitting to the actual work instead of what's there would be more appealing.

With text, you want to make it visible and noticeable. but you don't want it to take you out of the world the art represents. remember that they're supposed to compliment each other, instead of seeming like two separate pieces.

 

[Badger]

Exactly, Agreed.

 

[spdrknight]

Mmm, thanks for the tips spdrknight! I'm actually looking at several houses, unfortunately, most of them do require that I send my manuscript to only one place at a time, which I'm fine with, I have the patience and stubborn determination, that if I get rejected, I certainly won't stop writing.
And lets just say, starving college student, who's taken every writing and English class he can find.

Good to hear that you have determination. Just keep writing, even when you have some material out there. I have written two books, writing my third currently. It was only after writing the second that I decided to put my material out there and I have just recently begun, after some edits, to submit to agents and publishers.

I'm also a struggling college student as well, at least for another month until I finish my last two classes. I started out an english major but decided it was better to continue writing and get my degree in something that would pay the bills. My point is this, as I stated above: keep writing. No matter what. Just keep putting pen to paper. Or finger to key as the case may be. Its hard work but as long as you enjoy doing it being published or not will not matter.

Good luck!

 

[Dark Guardian]

Well, after quite a while of not doing anything much with photoshop, I recently dove right back into bringing more scenes from my books into real imagery.
So, here are my latest three:

This details a mysterious prophecy, handed down through several generations, and one man's attempts to decode it.

This is Pagonos, an elemental blade of extraordinary power, coupled with its twin, Pyrobolos.

So...what do you guys think?

 

[Asteroid-Man]

The texts your using are tacky/cheesy. Go with simple stuff.

 

[Dark Guardian]

The texts your using are tacky/cheesy. Go with simple stuff.

The whole point of the text used in most of my wallpapers is to stand out, as if outside of the image, and frankly, I don't see how simple texts (I'm assuming you mean something like Times New Roman or Arial) would create quite the same effect.