After the negative feedback I received on the original cover for Neverqueen, it was time to start from scratch. Give Neverqueen a look as classy and other-worldly as the covers for The Sword of the Dragon series. Ready for the full reveal?
Thanks to all of you who voted on the 99Designs poll to help me choose the final design. Your feedback was critical in helping me make the final decision. The next step is to get this version into print. For the time-being the other edition will be set as out-of-print until the new files can be uploaded to the distribution channels. In the meantime, I am planning the artwork for Neverqueen 2. It is my hope that this sequel will be ready for release in time for Christmas.
Question: Which of my upcoming releases are you most excited about? The Sword of the Dragon-book 4-In Search of Dragons, or Neverqueen 2: The Suffering Chalice?
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Scott Appleton is the author of the novels The Sword of the Dragon series, and The Neverqueen Saga, which are widely read by adults and younger readers.
Besides these, Scott has also published a collection of short speculative fiction (By Sword By Right) which runs the gamut of science-fiction, fantasy, allegory, romance, poetry, and biblical.
Driven by a love of storytelling and an appreciation for the craft, Scott has spoken extensively at events across the United States. His specialization in fiction editing and writing has garnered praise from some prominent writers.
Scott was born in Connecticut and grew up there. He actively pursued astronomy through his teen years, built ships-in-bottles and, throughout his life, read and wrote extensively. Besides his writing he works in sales.
Currently Scott lives in Greenville, South Carolina with his wife, Kelley, and their five children. His activities of choice are reading with his kids, watching fantasy and science-fiction movies, reading, and playing the occasional Star Wars video game. You can find him at AuthorAppleton.com and facebook.com/scottappleton.fans
🙂 And I cannot wait to share it with you! There is some fantastic story content that has taken me a couple years to put together, but the wait will be worth it.
Hi Nathan,
The artist is someone I found through the 99Designs contest. I think his name is Benjamin Roque. He really surprised me with this illustration, but I did not like the design he built around the image so I bought only the image and designed the cover myself. I will be hiring this guy to do other covers.
BTW, your book comes out next year, right?
I have to say it’s almost a dead tie with the two books coming out! But I think the lead goes just slightly to the fourth book of the Sword of the Dragon series.
I’ve been completely drawn into that story, world and adventure! I’m having to read other books just to keep my mind off the Sword of the Dragon series for now until the next book comes out.
Awesome! I am pleased to hear that you are looking forward to both. I am hoping that the fact that Neverqueen is also a The Sword of the Dragon book will keep you excited about that storyworld. There really is so much to explore with that storyworld!
Oh my! … I gasped when I saw this cover!!! How beautiful. I felt bad for giving feedback that contributed to your changing your mind about your original cover, as I didn’t really think it was bad … but THIS ONE is so much better. I would pick up this book in a library or book store and want to read it, no matter what the back cover would say 🙂 Absolutely love it. Tell me … do you design your own, or do you hire someone to do it?
It really did turn out beautiful… and I am glad you agree! My level of art talent is confined to sketches and children’s illustrations at the moment. The book “The Little Table” is my own artwork.
You used 99Designs for this one? Do you still use them? A poll for final design is intriguing…so did they give you more than one choice?
My cover is the last nail I need to hammer for publication and I’m having a hard time navigating the muddle of options, especially since I have a vision I’d like brought to life.
Also I like your website. Best author site I’ve been on. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of you before, but I’m finding you quite inspiring!
Hi Sara,
Welcome! I’m glad you are finding the site inspiring!
I did use 99Designs for the artwork but the text layout and cover design was my own creation. Basically you offer how much you are willing to pay an artist for the design and 30 or more artists will submit their work for consideration. It goes in several phases. In each phase you eliminate the artists that you do not want to consider. Then you promote the ones that you want to move into the final round. It really is an ingenious approach to connect content creators with designers all around the world.I also used 99designs for the book cover design of The Sea Lord, The Phantom’s Blade, and also Neverqueen 2.
I would love to know at some point what did lead you to my website! It is always interesting to see how people are landing on my pages.
In search of the dragons. I can’t wait
🙂 And I cannot wait to share it with you! There is some fantastic story content that has taken me a couple years to put together, but the wait will be worth it.
Awesome cover! Who was the designer?
Hi Nathan,
The artist is someone I found through the 99Designs contest. I think his name is Benjamin Roque. He really surprised me with this illustration, but I did not like the design he built around the image so I bought only the image and designed the cover myself. I will be hiring this guy to do other covers.
BTW, your book comes out next year, right?
Scott,
I have to say it’s almost a dead tie with the two books coming out! But I think the lead goes just slightly to the fourth book of the Sword of the Dragon series.
I’ve been completely drawn into that story, world and adventure! I’m having to read other books just to keep my mind off the Sword of the Dragon series for now until the next book comes out.
Can’t WAIT!!!!
Awesome! I am pleased to hear that you are looking forward to both. I am hoping that the fact that Neverqueen is also a The Sword of the Dragon book will keep you excited about that storyworld. There really is so much to explore with that storyworld!
Oh my! … I gasped when I saw this cover!!! How beautiful. I felt bad for giving feedback that contributed to your changing your mind about your original cover, as I didn’t really think it was bad … but THIS ONE is so much better. I would pick up this book in a library or book store and want to read it, no matter what the back cover would say 🙂 Absolutely love it. Tell me … do you design your own, or do you hire someone to do it?
It really did turn out beautiful… and I am glad you agree! My level of art talent is confined to sketches and children’s illustrations at the moment. The book “The Little Table” is my own artwork.
Oops – ignore the question. I see you did it at 99Designs 🙂
You used 99Designs for this one? Do you still use them? A poll for final design is intriguing…so did they give you more than one choice?
My cover is the last nail I need to hammer for publication and I’m having a hard time navigating the muddle of options, especially since I have a vision I’d like brought to life.
Also I like your website. Best author site I’ve been on. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of you before, but I’m finding you quite inspiring!
Hi Sara,
Welcome! I’m glad you are finding the site inspiring!
I did use 99Designs for the artwork but the text layout and cover design was my own creation. Basically you offer how much you are willing to pay an artist for the design and 30 or more artists will submit their work for consideration. It goes in several phases. In each phase you eliminate the artists that you do not want to consider. Then you promote the ones that you want to move into the final round. It really is an ingenious approach to connect content creators with designers all around the world.I also used 99designs for the book cover design of The Sea Lord, The Phantom’s Blade, and also Neverqueen 2.
I would love to know at some point what did lead you to my website! It is always interesting to see how people are landing on my pages.