Friday, August 15, 2014

Friday Flourish: The Gifted Dead

Happy Friday Everyone!

As of last Saturday, Fridays for me have taken on entirely new meaning in that they are now the day before I get to see my beloved Jamie in Outlander. Did anyone else watch the premiere last week? OMG! I may or may not have stared rapturously at the screen the moment he came on, and I can neither confirm nor deny having to wipe away drool when the episode ended. He's glorious.

I digress though. My original reason for bring up the topic of Friday was to let those of you who didn't see my introductory post a couple weeks ago know that I've started a sporadic feature on the blog called Friday Flourish where I post some of my recent cover design work. Friday Flourish came about thanks to a little inspiration from the awesome Mary at The Book Swarm as a way of sharing some bookish creativity that's a bit more personal in nature.

Several months ago, by chance and the best luck ever, I was introduced to author Jenna Black (as well as the amazing Kristen Simmons and Mindee Arnett) at a dinner before one of their signings in Cincinnati. Conversation that evening led Jenna to reach out to me when she decided to self-publish her upcoming novel, and thus we began the design process for The Gifted Dead. I'm beyond proud of how this cover turned out and extraordinarily thankful to Jenna for letting me be a part of this publishing journey with her, so I hope you all love the final product as much as we do!

THE GIFTED DEAD


Politics and magic make dangerous bedfellows.
 
Deep within the Order, the seeds of corruption have taken root. While younger generations of the Gifted have embraced modern democratic values, a secret society of old-guard zealots seek a return to the past, when only European men of distinguished bloodlines held power.
 
Now, three venerable European families and a maverick American each plot to seize control of the Order and shape it to their will. A cutthroat game of political intrigue will decide the winner; and the stakes couldn't be higher, for ruling the Order carries with it the power to grant—or deny—an afterlife.
 
What begins as a battle of wills could turn into an all-out war. And magic could prove deadlier than any missile.

"Filled with great world building, fascinating characters, and political intrigue, this novel harks back to the sheer scale of traditional fantasy novels but gives it a very modern twist. I love it!"
--Keri Arthur, New York Times bestselling author of Fireborn


The Gifted Dead will be released in September, so be sure and add this one to your lists! If you'd like to check out an exclusive interview with Jenna in which she shares all sorts of juicy tidbits about what this story holds in store for readers, you can do so over at Fangirlish.

Find Jenna:


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If you want to see more of my work, including some fun fan art posters, you can check out my full portfolio online at Seedlings Design Studio!

38 comments:

  1. OMG LOVE. So much love for this, I can't even. So unique and so striking that it would definitely catch my attention in a bookstore immediately! Bring on the Friday Flourishes - so cool to see all that you're working on!!

    As for Outlander - everyone's buzzing about it, but I still need to read the book itself! I'll have to get on it. There's just something about a man in a kilt...

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    1. THANK YOU AYLEE! I was really excited about how this one turned out:)

      And yes, you must watch Outlander! I actually wasn't the biggest fan of the book *ducks*, but I loved the first episode. Jamie is fabulous:)

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  2. I freaking love, love, love this cover, Jenny. You've heard me whine time and again that covers just look like the same old, same old, but I think you're breathing new life into them - one cover at a time. There's something so simple, but so striking about this cover that just speaks to me. I must know more!

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm trying to do things I haven't really seen before, so I'm glad everyone is taking a shine to the work!

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  3. I had not heard of this one before.
    Dirt on a canvas...I approve

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  4. Gooosh, the cover looks so amazing!! I absolutely love the canvas background and the dragon!! <3

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    1. Thank you! I had a lot of fun working on this one:)

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  5. Ooh I love this! This is so original and eye-catching. I love the detail of the dirt on the canvas. I seriously hope publishers start hiring you because I'm sick of seeing the same tired recycled covers so often. Yours are always so innovative and creative! Thanks for sharing, this sounds awesome. :-)

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    1. Thank you so much Lauren! I would love to work with more publishers, so we'll see what happens in the future:)

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  6. Every time you post your covers, I want to write approximately one million books so you can design the covers for all of them. Maybe some day we can even get to design an Ellora's Cave-esque cover together.

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    1. CAN WE PLEASE?!!! It could have swords and horses and smoke and sparkles and men with one or no nipples. IT WOULD BE EPIC!

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  7. Jenny! OMG! This is STUNNING! I love how unique it is and that dragon! You're so good at this! :)
    Also, how awesome does this synopsis sound? I definitely want to read it! I already added it to my TBR. :)
    Thanks for sharing, Jenny!

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    1. YAY! I'm so glad you're excited about this Nick, I can't wait to read it myself:)

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  8. We don't get Outlander here in Canada until August 24th, so way to rub it in, Jenny!! *cries* I didn't realize that you designed covers—COOL! I'll definitely be on the look-out for more of your work. Happy Friday! :)

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    1. SORRY! But Jamie is worth the wait Carmel. WORTH THE WAIT. His accent. *dies*

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  9. I love this cover too!
    And oh my gosh yes on Jamie! I watched an early premier of it off of Starz and was instantly in love. I already loved him from the books but the actor they used was PERFECT! I am so sad I don't have Starz now, We just got rid of our satellite and now I think I will have to go to my mom's to watch it every Saturday.

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    1. I made my husband call and add starts to our cable lineup. I knew my life would not be complete without Jamie each week ;-)

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  10. Amazing cover! Beautifully done. And thanks for telling me about Outlanders

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    1. You're biased, but I don't care. THANK YOU!

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  11. I had not heard about this book before, Jenny but it sounds fantastic, I've just added it to my GR!
    Aaaaand oh my goodness what a gorgeous cover! It would really make me pause and check the book! Fantastic work, Jenny! I love the dragon and the fabric background!

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  12. Simple and elegant. I will definitely be picking this up since you designed the cover and I like seeing these big authors go indie.

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  13. First, I'm having a hard time not being jelly that you get to see Outlander. I have seen the premiere online but don't have Starz. :'(

    Now to the book cover... that looks so great! Must read it!

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  14. Ahh everyone's talking about Outlander but I haven't seen it as of yet *shakes head* I feel like i'm missing out!
    Not unto the cover, LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I'm oicky when it comes to covers and although that ones pretty simple it's also one i'd defintely remember! Congrats :)

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  15. Wow, Jenny. That cover is AMAZING. You are an awesome cover designer, and Jenna is lucky her book will look incredible. Thanks for sharing—I'm definitely adding it to my list!

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  16. Jenny - I drooled right there along side of you! And, well ... I watched it with my mother-in-law (remember the scene in the castle ruins where Frank and Claire decided to get frisky) - AWKWARD - LOL! I heart Jamie as well.

    Now - back to this amazing cover. Jenny, I love everything about it. The canvas texture and the way the dark font is within the dragon/ Ouroboros. The book is new to me, so I'm so excited to check out Jenna Black's upcoming book. Gorgeous :)

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  17. Wow. You just keep topping yourself. I LOVE how the dirt gives the cover a 3D feel and the Ouroboros stamp. Wow. (Yes, I'm repeating myself.)
    Jamie....mmmm. I've watched that first episode too much already. And you're kind of shaming me here -- I was all excited about my creative thing and yet only posted once. *sigh* *picks up a paint brush. :)

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  18. Cool cover, Jenny! I like the black splotches. I am watching Outlander and eager for the next epi! I ordered Starz just so I could see it.

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  19. *jaw drops* That cover is AWESOME! I love it and as a matter of fact I'm going to add this one on my TBR list right away. I sense dragons there, DRAGONS Jenny!!!!!! I'm so excited. Anyhow amazing job girl and thanks for sharing :)

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  20. It's an intriguing one. I didn't know about this one but I love the cover and the idea! And congrats girl, the cover is awesome!

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  21. Gorgeous Jenny!!! All your covers have been beautiful. I'm in awe.

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  22. I loooooooooooooove this cover, Jenny! It's absolutely gorgeous and I know I'd pick it up off the shelves. Also: I need to read Outlander! I've seen the promos and the show looks fantastic but I don't want to begin it until I've read the first book so hopefully I'll get around to that soon. Thanks for sharing, dear, and again, gorgeous! :)

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  23. This cover is BEAUTIFUL. I hope you are so proud of yourself for the work you've been doing. The world of book covers is a brighter place now. I especially love the textured fabric look to this cover, and the black bleeding in. Creepers. Everything about it makes me want to pick it up.

    I am probably the only person who hasn't watched Outlander! I'm kind of afraid to invest and have to handle some of the things that happen later in the story. But I LOVE Jamie. I don't have Starz, but I think I can see it online…anyway enjoy him for me :).

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  24. That cover is amazing! You are so talented, Jenny!

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  25. That is one very talented Jenny! :O That cover is splendid! Also, could you believe that I thought, all this time, that there was going to be a MOVIE of the Outlander and not a SERIES? OMG, I feel so ashamed. XD Have a great week!

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  26. Jenny you are brilliant! Seriously. If I ever write a book I will most definitely hire you.

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  27. You know already how much I LOVE this cover!!!!! And the Dragon! Holy AWESOME! you're the best!

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  28. OMG, Jenny!! I've been thinking for days now (b/c suddenly I was seeing that book all over the place, and wondering how on earth I'd missed it) that I need to get more info about the new Jenna Black book, b/c check out that cover, it's looks awesome, and DRAGON. Seriously. I just added it to Goodreads a couple of hours ago after seeing it AGAIN on Addicted2Heroines cover reveal post. I hope you're as proud of yourself as you should be, b/c this is seriously awesome. AWESOME, Jenny, AWESOME.

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