Comments on: REVIEW: Interview with a Cover Artist: April Martinez

By: Jules Jones

Jules Jones — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 21:14:22 +0000

And another very happy author here. April did the cover art on several of my books — and amongst other things, demonstrated that you can do a Poser cover that actually looks right for the book.

By: April

April — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:07:17 +0000

Again, a very warm thank you to everyone! My head is almost big enough to explode now. :)

Michelle, you’ve uncovered the biggest obstacle e-publishing and e-book cover artists have today. There is usually not a lot of investment up front, and oftentimes not a lot of return either, for artists to make both a decent living in this market and decent covers.

But I’ve been very fortunate to have found LSB and LI. They both pay me very well compared to any other e-publisher I’ve worked with — that gives me an incentive to be productive and accommodating. Plus, having lived through some rough times, I’m used to working on a shoestring budget. I got my chops working on old free software and hand-me-downs. What can I say?

When life hands you melons, you serve lemonade at Hooters. ;)

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:25:09 +0000

I’m a (print) graphic designer by day and I dabbled VERY briefly in doing covers for an epublisher and I found it too difficult. There was no money for models or even decent stock photography so that was too limiting for me. I am envious of your ability to take the proverbial sow’s ear and turn it into a silk purse. Your covers are gorgeous! Kudos!!

By: pccast

pccast — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 05:08:50 +0000

Excellent interview! Cover artists intrigue me, and I love getting a peek inside their heads.

April, thank you for mentioning two of my AWESOME cover artists! I have lucky cover chi and amazing artists!

By: Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:49:28 +0000

Annie Dean, you are one lucky girl. Any of your books in print, yet?

Yes, ma’am, I am the luckiest. April has done all my covers to date, and I’ll have a proper downhome hissy fit if that should change. ;)

Your Alibi and Guide are both currently available as ebooks, but who knows what the future holds?

By: Kristie(J)

Kristie(J) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:06:56 +0000

I bought Bone Deep based partly on the cover (and because of the good buzz) I loved it so much I also bought in print form and was keeping my fingers crossed that it was the same cover. Much to my delight it WAS! Now I want to display it out somewhere ’cause of the beautiful cover.
Very interesting interview with an amazingly talented artist!

By: Suisan

Suisan — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:35:32 +0000

Thank you for this interview.

My daughter’s a talented artist at the age of twelve and wants to know what you can DO with art as a career other than work for Disney. This interview comes as just the perfect time. Yay!

And I love your work, April. ;)

By: Mechele Armstrong

Mechele Armstrong — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:20:06 +0000

What a great interview. April’s covers are works of art and I’ve been fortunate enough to have her do a few of mine. I’m always blown away by her vision.

Love the Angela Knight cover, too. *G* but my favorites are some others that I’m very very partial to.

By: Lila

Lila — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:01:39 +0000

April is not only a gifted and amazing artist, but she is kind and professional. The gorgeous cover of Forbidden is my first ever cover, and April kindly put up with my ten page cover art request and endless pestering.

I, for one, know exactly how blessed I was to get her.

And now I’m keeping her… bwa ha ha!

By: Isabelle

Isabelle — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:32:22 +0000

This was a wonderful post. She has some incredible covers. I particularly love the one from Angela Knight, about writing erotic romance. It’s just so appealing to look at.

By: Ciar Cullen

Ciar Cullen — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:30:25 +0000

Very beautiful, and Angela Knight’s cover is my favorite too. They’re intelligent covers, and the more muted ones are exceptional.

By: April

April — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:01:20 +0000

Hi, Ann! Besides Liquid Silver Books and Loose Id, I've done covers for Yoni Books (now defunct), Atlantic Bridge Publishing, Mojocastle Press, and Zumaya Publications. Authors themselves have also directly commissioned cover art from me for books published at Venus Press (now defunct), Heat Wave Romance (now defunct), and elsewhere. And I've done illustrations for Tales of the Talisman, The Writers Post Journal, and Razar Magazine.

By: Ann Bruce

Ann Bruce — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:18:00 +0000

Wow! Those are gorgeous covers that I wouldn’t have to hide in public.

April, which pubs do you work for other than Liquid Silver?

Annie Dean, you are one lucky girl. Any of your books in print, yet?

By: April

April — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:02:39 +0000

I indulged a bit this morning and slept in, or I would have commented earlier, but a very heartfelt thanks to everyone for the compliments!!! :)

By: Charlene Teglia

Charlene Teglia — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:42:04 +0000

Dakota, I recognized the sketch from your website. Very distinctive! Gorgeous covers, April, wonderful work.

By: Dakota Cassidy

Dakota Cassidy — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:03:13 +0000

April Martinez ROCKS! That sketch up there is mine from my website and all I did was ask her, “Ya know that e-insurance commercial…”

Voila–twenty minutes later I had that sketch. She just knows and understands and works tirelessly to get what you want and get it right.

She’s the best!

Dakota :)

By: bam

bam — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:43:32 +0000

April is bloody brilliant. I can’t ever make fun of her covers. Unless I have… have I?

By: Michelle Hoppe

Michelle Hoppe — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:39:07 +0000

Very nice interview, thank you. April Martinez is a wonderfully talented artist.

By: Delia Carnell

Delia Carnell — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:34:35 +0000

Oh, thank you for this fascinating article. Ms. Martinez did two of my covers, and they are absolutley gorgeous. What fun to read about her and how she performs her craft.

By: raine

raine — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:14:13 +0000

This is a great interview–and as one who has benefited from April’s talent, yes, I can say she rocks! :-)