Behind the Cover: Mara McKennen

[reviews_and_ramblings]

I am the Art Director for Dreamspinner Press, which is my full time "night" job. Dreamspinner Press uses cover art from a variety of sources - original artwork, stock photos, specially commissioned photos, and work from freelance cover artists. As Art Director my responsibilities include selecting, recommending, or creating the art as well as designing the text elements, layout, color scheme, etc. I and my staff work with information supplied by each author for this process, and we spend a lot of time making sure the covers are as wonderful as we can make them.
 









 
Art has been a huge part of my life, since I was old enough to hold a crayon! I paint (acrylics and oils), draw, I'm learning leatherworking, I dabble at photography, and Repoussé (metal working) is my hobby. For years I taught acrylic painting classes and loved it. With the advent of the online communities I was drawn to all the lovely banners and headers, icons, and the beautiful art on the web pages. It became my passion! Unable to resist it, I mentored with a professional graphic designer to master Photoshop and InDesign. Now I get to combine my years and years of art experience and my sharp computer graphics skills to create our covers at Dreamspinner Press. Every cover is truly a labor of love.

I am enclosing five covers (as per your request):
 
A Note in the Margin - the story touched my heart.
 
To Love a Cowboy - This was my very first cover and to date my favorite by far.
 
Diplomacy - The story title describes this cover for me one.
 
Irish Winter - Ireland close to my heart.
 
Picture Perfect - Because I love it.

-- Mara McKennen

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

Comments

[ashlynkane.livejournal.com]

Just a note to say how much I LOVE the Picture Perfect cover. There was a lot of squee-ing when we saw it for the first time.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Good Ashlyn, it's not always that an author is happy with their covers. It's nice when happens. Elisa

[clarelondon.livejournal.com]

Lovely to hear more about Mara, we don't always hear enough about the people behind the scenes.

That Irish Winter cover is one of my very favourites - it's so striking.
^_^

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Dreamspinner Press' covers have the merit to be simple but very effective. A good example of nice work for a small and new publisher which probably listen to the target they are seeking out. Elisa

[heidicullinan.livejournal.com]

I saw that Diplomacy cover and am now rushing off to check the book.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

That's how it works a good cover ;-) And the book is even nice! Elisa

[b-sheridan.livejournal.com]

Call me a fan of the Diplomacy cover. Tuxedos & uniforms for the win!

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I believe that you are a James Bond's fan ;-) Elisa

[b-sheridan.livejournal.com]

No, don't care much for Bond in general but I do appreciate seeing drooling over men in nicely tailored clothing.

LOL

[kassa-rvws.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for including this artist! I love all of those covers but the first holds a special place I'll admit. Though the cowboys comes in a close second.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Partly of the merit goes to you Kassa, I moved after we talked about that cover. Elisa

A Note in the Margin-- my reading list

[fifi-bonsai.livejournal.com]

I spoke about this to Jesse from Jesse reviews, about how I thought I didn't care about covers and how I found out what a lie it was for certain reasons.

I think this Cover is particularly effective because the subject matter of the book does seem disturbing but this cover-- it just gives home/comfort vibes to me. I feel like whatever the book is about, I'll be able to take it.

Re: A Note in the Margin-- my reading list

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

The book is a mix of comfort and angst and the Margins, the bookstore, is a place where all the characters find shelter, so it's right that it is that place in the cover and the vibes it broadcast are right. Elisa