When I first envisioned my author website, I knew I wanted it to be visually interesting. I’m not the most artistic person in the world, but I appreciate clean lines and cool features on websites. I wanted a site that people would navigate and find different things to engage them on every page.
Which brings me to Inspired.
“I want a page full of art on my website,” I told my hubby–who, by the way, is my website guru.
“Huh?” he replied. (He’s a man of few words). “You’re a writer. Shouldn’t you have writing on your site?”
“I’ll have plenty of that,” I insisted. “What I want is art inspired by my books.”
Even now, I think he’s scratching his head over this concept. Other authors don’t have anything like this on their sites, he’s probably thinking. But okay, honey, if that’s what you really want…
Authors write to entertain–indeed, to inspire–their readers. Good books make readers think. Good fantasy books take readers to entirely different worlds, to places and characters they have to really visualize as they read the words on the page.
I want to display art inspired by the Estilorian novels. I can’t wait to see what the creative minds out there can come up with…sketches, paintings, enhanced photos, videos…anything, really, that is appropriate for public viewing and ties into the books.
To get things rolling, I reached out to a very talented artist, David Seitz, who specializes in Anime/Manga art. I asked David if he would be willing to read Becoming and then create something in his preferred medium inspired by the book. He very graciously gifted me with this amazing sketch of my character Amber:
Side note: the first person who recognizes the scene this sketch was inspired by and comments on this blog with the correct answer will receive a signed copy of Becoming when the paperback comes out!
This simple page on my website means a lot to me. I feel that the arts are all interrelated and that we should support each other. I’d love to provide links to the artists’ websites in hopes of drawing attention to their work.
I hope you’ll help promote this concept with any artists you may know, and I welcome your feedback to make this effort a successful one!
I had a very clear idea in my head what impression I wanted my website to convey, but no idea what I wanted it to look like! I had to resort to out fashioned cutting and pasting (yes with scissors and glue) to assimilate the various elements I had and come up with something I liked. I was pleased when the result was what I wanted!
A page dedicated to art inspired by the books is a cool idea. Alas, my books aren’t publicly available, which makes this hard for me. However, I may file your idea away for future reference when my books are publicly available!
You’re far craftier than I am if you were able to use actual scissors and glue to get your site idea together, Ciara! Can’t wait until your books are out for our reading pleasure. ;)
Is this Amber in the “infamous” sweater in Alaska? “wink wink”
And I love this idea! Good for you, always the supporter!
Yay, Brina! You won the signed version of Becoming! Thanks so much for the comment and, of course, your support. :)
Hello fellow Triberr Warrior! Just thought I’d pop by your site and say hi properly!
Can I say that I absolutely ADORE your book covers? So simple yet gorgeous! The small flecks of colour on the faces really stand out!
J.C.
Join me in the Trick or Treat Spooktacular! Could you help make the Grand Prize a brand new Kindle Touch?
Thanks so much, J.C.! :) I’m looking forward to participating with the Warriors. The cover of “The Doll” is amazing, too–SO spooky!
Raine, I like it! A beautiful site. Who says everything has to be said with words or art alone? I love the combination! xoxo
Thanks so much, Nancy! I can’t wait to feature more artwork on the site. :)