Lately I’ve been working on a cover for an upcoming collection of short stories by Wena Poon, titled (rather imaginatively, I felt) “Lions in Winter.” Briefly, these are stories about the Chinese diaspora, particularly Singaporean Chinese living in the States.
What surprised me was the number of variations the editors and I could spin on the title, which is why I’m sharing some of my favourites (though the final cover may be completely different from these!):
***
And these, in turn, made me think of past covers/posters I’ve done, and looking through them, I detect a similar trend running through some of them (solid, primary colours; portraits of women, etc.:
***
Of course, there are some covers that were never released cos, well, the book’s not been written yet, like the one below…
Who knows? One day this might get written. 
16 Comments
I like the top right one (for Lions in Winter). The Chinese rendition of a lion is so different from those of the West. And, yes, it’s an evocative title.
the one with the lanterns also look good.. keep it up dude!
I’d be very interested to read the book.
I am with Argus. Yes, the top right cover for Lions in Winter depicts the Chinese diaspora. Since the story is particularly about Singaporean Chinese in the States, the lion reminds me of the Merlion.
yep, can’t wait to read!
I like the first one. Very nice. Good job.
I like the first two…
Hey Everybody!
Thanks for the feedback… The end cover will actually look very different from the four samples above. I can’t preview it till it gets close to the publishing date, but let’s just say it involves snow…
P.S. I am still very much alive; just very busy… more to come soon!
Once again the covers show off your talents. They’re all good and I’d find it hard to choose. I think there’s an old Bee Gees song “Lion in Winter” on their “Trafalgar” album.
Tunku
Really? I never knew that… I wonder if this was what Wena drew her title from. Either way, it’s a lovely title for a story and a collection. Good book titles are very important to me… it should tell us everything and nothing…
Hi Kenny! It was great meeting you and my my….your writing skills really (insert positive bombastic word here) me!
But you know, your blog’s definitely the kind I have to spend hours on. It’s like reading a book. Quite unlike mine, where my readers tend to get lazy and just scroll over pics. Sigh. Wait till I write like Kenny Mah, then maybe people will spend more time on my blog.
Haha. Keep it up mate.
Please, please don’t say that you’re a slacker. Someone deep in thoughts like yourself is focused in the area of writing and even producing covers (as a hobby apart from your day job somemore)! Talk about being a multi-tasker here. I, on the other hand, am a freelancer / real occasional slacker. You’re an electrician in the area of writing (metaphor). Yes, for that - the numerology is right.
I don’t think I’m doing enough, actually. Whatever I’m doing more of lately is for passion. I sometimes have my weak moments and think if I should go back to a 9-5 job, but I have made this decision and will keep to my timeline. So, I’ll make the best out of it.
About your cover, I prefer the top right one. The contrast of (colour) and (image) is just right.
I quite like the bottom left one as well with the eyes. Maybe if you could make the left eye more “lion-ish” to create a bigger contrast of lions, that would be great. Maybe the right eye can be more sparkly.
Take care.
kimong.com
Kim
Reading your comment (and those of another new friend, via MSN, almost at the same moment) helps a lot as I’ve decided today to return to active blogging and writing.
It’s a brand new day, folks.
Don’t worry too much about your life decisions now though. I used to do that all the time, and still do, to some extent, but looking back now, they were all the right decisions, even the mistakes and failures and painful ones.
They were right cos they did happen. And that’s that.
Appreciate the feedback on the covers. I love the bottom left one the most and I think your suggestions are spot on. Unfortunately we (the editors, author and myself) have decided on a completely different cover for the final version… will showcase that in due time before the book is released.
*hugs*
Have a great week, dear!
my dear friend,
i saw the book cover in Eric’s blog.. like you said…totally different! somehow it has a calming effect on me.. hahah… =)
Spiffy
Wow… you guys are fast! I haven’t even posted it yet and already someone’s got it on his blog and someone’s seen it!
But yeah, I’ve since completed the cover to both the author’s and editor’s satisfaction. So I’m pleased.
heheh…i just so happen to hop on over to Eric’s blog.. but u can still post the cover u made here..;o)
Oh, btw… dun forget to sign the other book cover u design for me ya? *when i get the book, tht is & after i get the author to sign it..if not she’ll probly strangle me. hehe*
Spiffy
Well, I might post the cover later… gonna concentrate on new blog entries from now… though the next one will be by a guest blogger. Woo hoo!
As for signing the book, no problem… I haven’t even seen the final product yet myself! Isn’t it odd, the designer is often the last to see the end result? Hahaha…
Incoming Links
Leave a Reply