the INLAID EAR

I'm tripping out on book covers, now that I'm paying attention to my own. There's so much to it! You want it to say hello to the world, to invite readers—to compel them—to pick up your book. And buy it. It has to reflect what's inside. It has to tease. And it has to look good. Since I'm not a designer, it's perplexing to seek the path from my ideas to the graphic execution that syncs up with my ideal. Here's another twist: I don't need a book cover yet. I just need a manuscript cover as I send my book out to publishers. I need my manuscript cover to compel publishers to take a chance with my book, to convey my seriousness and talent and the value of my art. So about a week ago, I put out the word to a few designers and artists I know asking for their tries. Below are covers from three different people: Mark Bell, Ray Massie and I. Please share your thoughts with me in the comments section or at Facebook.  I'd like to know what grabs...

The amazing Art Moura submitted a whole graveyard full of zombies in illustration of this poem. Which one or two do you like best?                                       published in Turbulence Magazine, Issue 8 (2012) Zombie Movie Climax This is a zombie movie scenario starring me as me myself, and also as the zombie who shambles patiently through the abandoned midnight neighborhood scene: Hero-me stops running, grabs zombie-me by the lapels, yells “Wake up! Smell the roses!” Both shaking violently. Close up on two faces. The living one: “Look at yourself!” A spark ignites in the zombie’s eyes. “You’re animated!” The room spirals and goes bright in a frenzy of cellos. Their clutch breaks. The hero cries, “You don’t have to be so dead!” The zombie’s mouth closes. Then opens and moans, “Oh. I s...