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Jun 27, 2018

Rebranding Bill ... again

You might recall that in 2015 I finished a total rebrand of the Tome of Bill series. The goal then was simple: I had good covers, but I didn't have good series covers. I worked with Mallory Rock to make it happen and she delivered in spades.

Well, it's been 3 years since then. The ToB books have sold a lot of copies with those "new" covers and all was well with the world.

So why change again, now?

It's simple. 3 years is a long time in the book business and I've watched the Urban Fantasy genre evolve. While I still think the branding of those covers is top notch, I began to feel that perhaps they were no longer indicative of the market / genre itself.

So I reached out to some cover designers and illustrators with my thoughts ... mainly being that I wanted covers that conveyed three things: an urban fantasy feel to them, a sense of branding, but also that unique blend of horror and comedy that I've tried to instill into my series. No small order for anyone, no matter how talented.

The results were ... mixed, let's say.

Why did I search elsewhere? I don't know. I guess a part of me felt I needed a new look, and a new look required talking to new people.

That was a mistake on my part, and I'm happy to admit it. I already had a strong relationship with my existing cover artist and she knew both my books and the type of stuff I typically asked for.

So I sat down with Mallory, we discussed updating the ToB, and I think we both came away excited at the task before us.

It's still a work in progress, and we're moving slowly so as to get each new iteration just right.  That said, the first three are below and I think she's knocked it out of the park.

I'll be updating ebook first with these, with print to come later (so I don't end up selling people half a series with one brand, and the other half with different covers).

I hope you're excited by what you see. I know I am. 

From shadows to stepping into the light ... albeit not sunlight
Bad guys are great ... but Gan is better.
You wanted more Turd. Admit it!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

The new ones look cute! I like.

Unknown said...

I prefer the ones you are getting rid of. I thought they were a huge step forward and now you're taking a step back. As a retired Graphic Designer the newest ones don't appeal to me at all. Huge fan of the series, even hooked my husband up!

Unknown said...

I prefer the ones you are getting rid of. I thought they were a huge step forward and now you're taking a step back. As a retired Graphic Designer the newest ones don't appeal to me at all. Huge fan of the series, even hooked my husband up!

Seiligmojita said...

I'm in the old ones look better camp, too. Sorry. I think most people, myself included, like to form their own mental picture of the characters.

Arik Laen said...

Rick,
I think that if you are trying to appeal to a younger audience the new ones are good. The issue is, how young? I assume you are looking to get into the young adult, over 17 crowd.
You already have the originals and remakes for the older crowds.
I would wonder however? The new ones look good for that initial younger crowd, but for those around 25 to 35, not so much.
That being said, Dean Koontz pulled it off for both Odd Thomas, and his Frankenstein series.
I think you are doing the right thing.
Your books are awesome, wishing you more sales.
Arik.

Unknown said...

I love the series, love the old covers but I love the new ones even more. I wish the series didn't have to end. I am starting the last book and I am hesitant to end my adventures with Bill and his friends. Thank you for giving me a fun fantasy read with so many wonderfully unique characters!

Matt said...

Love the books. The only issue I have is that Featherolf is constantly mispronounces words. It's hard to believe that he went to UCLA.

He needs correction. Is there anyway to verify all the recordings before they are published?

lef13 said...

I have been a fan since I got ahold of Bill the Vampire, the sarcasm was on pare with my freinds and it felt like an extion of them.

I have read all his books, and yes not all are as golden as Bill, but I have never thought they were a waste of time as with some.

I have also now listened to the full Bill universe and even if the first book was me mentally saying "Bill sound different in my mind" I love them as well as my paperbacks!