Meet Fiona Jayde - cover artist extraordinaire!

How did you get your start in Graphic Design?

FJ:  I’ve always wanted to be an illustrator – my inspiration was fantasy cover art by Michael Whelan. Later, I fell in love with fantasy artists like Boris Vallejo and Luis Royo. Problem is, I couldn’t draw.  I went to art school and still I can’t draw a stick figure. I can paint landscapes a la Bob Ross, but even those are questionable.

When I was in art school, I discovered that I could make images on the computer and somehow my pencil clumsy hands could do wonders with a computer mouseJ I started learning more about web design, graphic design etc, all under the banner of “art”. And I discovered that I don’t need skills with a pencil to achieve my dream of producing fantasy covers. I still wish I could draw though.

What are your favorite sort of covers to do? (erotic, fantasy, etc.)

FJ: My favorite covers are edgy moody dark fantasy/sci fi. Give me a hero and a pair of wings and I’ll be happy J Give me a setting where I have to make things blow up or drip with bubbles (or blood, I’m not picky), and I’m in heaven. Give me something metal, and I’ll make it shine (and that can be a pair of handcuffs or a gun… like I said, I’m not picky) I love high contrast colorful dramatic images that draw the eye.

You’re now one of our house cover designers. Do you remember the first project you did for Decadent Publishing? (you can also elaborate into the other stuff you’ve done for us, like the RT magazine layouts)

FJ: I believe the first cover I did for Decadent was Long Hard Ride. I still remember trying to find the perfect cannon with Keta Diablo.  I think I didn’t officially become a house cover designer until I did wings for Deena Ramiel for her Angel series (Deena – when am I getting more angels to play with ???), and we formed a beautiful friendship J

What are a few of your best or favorite Decadent Publishing covers? (we’ll post an image and URL)

FJ: My favorite covers are the ones where I get feedback along the lines of “the staff was speechless for full five minutes”. Hell yeah, I’ll take that compliment!

I already mentioned my winged angels for the Brethren series by Deena Ramiel. A couple more are:

Handcuffs & Silk

The Middlesex Suite (I was afraid Facebook was going to ban that image when it was uploaded!)

I also love the Absinthe series images I’ve done for Azura Ice:

And of course, we can’t forget the awesome Run Devil Run covers (and can I just say I behaved like a mature adult and didn’t giggle like an idiot when I met my cover models? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it)

Do you have other creative outlets besides designing? (good place to talk about your own books!)

FJ: Oh man, what creative outlet don’t I have? I’m a writer as well (and by the way, I hate doing my own covers because I’m my own worst client). When I do drag my rear away from the computer, I paint happy little landscapes a  la Bob Ross,  play a mean F Blues Boogie on the keys (I just bought a gorgeous old upright and already  have a story brewing about it), and I practice martial arts when my long-suffering hubby manages to drag me to class.

Have you won awards for your covers?

FJ: Brethren Trinity was #2 favorite cover at You Gotta Read Reviews. And one of my covers – A Captain’s Order, A Duke’s Command  won favorite historical cover at the Australian Romance Writers Association.

What would you advise authors in terms of communicating their vision to you in creating cover art?

FJ: Authors are my first line of defense in understanding the mood and feel of the book. Give me adjectives that visually describe what your book is about – a dark angsty feel is something I can visualize, while  “a book about revenge” isn’t quite as graphic.

And then,  the best thing an author can do is leave me to my own devices. Authors are emotionally invested in their works – as they should be – and don’t see the marketability aspect. It doesn’t matter that the heroine’s cheekbones/jaw line is different than the stock image, or that a certain scene is the “key” in the book. My job – as is the job of every cover artist – is to create a compelling commercial piece that will show the reader what the book is about and make the reader want to find out more. (This is why I can’t do my own covers, by the way, because I can’t unhinge myself from my own emotional investment to let my non-verbal artistic side come out and play)

Find out more about Fiona, her artwork and her books at FionaJayde.com

Take a Joy Ride with Desiree Holt!

Who ever though that in the Fifties when deejay Allen Fried coined the term “Rock and Roll” the music—a blend of blues, country, jazz and gospel—would have such a major impact on our culture. But there’s no question about the fact that it has. We have a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Aging but still highly popular rockers like Steven Tyler writing best selling books and judging on American Idol. Grunge icons like Kurt Cobain still casting their shadow over the industry. And let’s not even talk about The Grateful Dead. 

Do you remember the music you listened to in high school? College? On dates? Driving to and from work? I’ll bet a lot of it was and is rock in some form. And Ohmigod, who doesn’t think a guitar player is sexy, his body in fluid motion on stage as he coaxes and pulls the notes of a tune from his guitar.

In one of my many other lives I was in the music business, both as an agent and a manager, and my clients were primarily rock bands. I can still remember the excitement of walking into a club where one of my bands was playing, feeling the electric excitement in the air, watching the crowd go wild as the music filled the air. It’s a rush that isn’t equaled by anything else. Trust me.

Jackie Joyride 2011

Fast forward to the present. Last year I was lucky enough to be party of the Decadent Publishing crowd that went to Johnny Depp’s Viper Room to see a performance by Run Devil Run (a totally fabulous band, by the way). The moment I walked into the club, it all came back to me–the excitement, the rush, the headiness of the environment. But what really caught my eye was the bass player, Jackie Joyride. OMG! Can you say sex on a stick? Of course, I think bass players are the sexy foundation of any band. That heavy thump of the bass just gets you right where you live. I knew I had to write a story where the hero was based on him.

Joy Ride (notice the play on words!) was a labor of love to write. It’s all about who people really are and how they find themselves, with the world of rock music as the stage on which it happens. “Emma was the good girl poster child until she meet sexy bass player Marc–and he took her on the joy ride of her life.”

 

Out today at Decadent Publishing (and soon at all online bookstores) here’s a taste for you.

To celebrate the release, I’m selling t-shirt,, mugs, water bottles, whatever in my Café Press store with the specially designed logo for the band in the book, Lightnin’. Leave a comment and you might be one of two lucky people to win a mug or a t-shirt.

Becca Dale Shows (and Tells)

Show and Tell Saturday – the name alone conjures memories of standing in front of the grade school classroom, knee sock drooping down one leg, hand-me-down dress a bit too short, and my heart beating with excitement and trepidation. Would my classmates see the value of my favorite toy or enjoy the cactus candy Grandma and Grandpa brought back from Arizona? Would they understand how dear the picture of my new calf was to me, what a milestone it was that I was responsible for feeding all the bottle calves on my own at seven. Or would they laugh at my weird sense of joy?

I feel that same excitement mingled with unease every time I send out a new story to be judged, to be adored or found lacking. So with that in mind, I stand before you carrying a cover made by Dara, a series developed by Kate and Val and another friend late at night, and my 1 Night Stand – Erotic Healing. This story forced me to step outside my comfort zone. I don’t do casual intimacy very well. I do complicated. So guess what? My 1NS is complicated, but I can honestly say I love it. It is a little unexpected, I hope, but it also adheres to the on-the-edge excitement of a time limit—win or lose, connect or remain lonely, everything rests in one night. What a fascinating concept.

I haven’t been with Decadent Publishing all that long, but in the scheme of things, none of us have since the idea for the company took root little over a year ago. Since walking through these metaphorical doors though, I have pushed myself repeatedly. Can’t Stop Me, which is currently available in the print anthology Run Devil Run and will be available individually mid-June, raised havoc with my writing process. It was the first time that I have even written something which mattered to other people. I woke up more than one night in a cold sweat fearing I would let Heather or Lisa or the band or one of the other authors or someone down. The experience was a true nail biter but one I would not give up. The individual cover for Can’t Stop Me was brought to you by Fiona and the anthology idea the brainchild of Heather. So here again I feel the need to share the credit for the cool factor, if there is any associated with my writing, with others from Decadent.

Each thing I have written since joining this group has helped me grow, not because I wrote it so much, but more because I wrote each one with the unfailing support of my fellow Decadent teammates. So what am I really showing off today? My publisher. This is my newest release, Erotic Healing; and here is my contribution to the RDR Anthology, Can’t Stop Me; but this—holds up Decadent Publishing Banner—this is my publisher. I currently have and have had other publishers in the past, and my editors have all been supportive and downright fabulous, I cannot say a single negative thing about any of them. That is not the point. What I am trying to tell comes down to this. I have been blessed to be a part of Decadent’s growth, the fellow authors and editors along with Heather, Lisa, Meredith and Colleen have made this an experience I will not forget but would certainly recommend. So I stand here a bit more put together than I ever was in grade school, but just as eager to show and tell about some of my favorite things.

Are You Ready?

It's time to rock with...

Run Devil Run, an L.A.-based rock band well known locally for their dynamic live performances, diverse musical talent, and humorous video antics has lent their faces, titles and lyrics as inspiration for a five-book series with the publisher.

Like what you see? Join Decadent Publishing and see Run Devil Run LIVE at the Viper Room in LA on Tuesday, April 5th for a very special performance to celebrate the Run Devil Run Anthology!

Click HERE for details and tickets, which includes 
transportation from the Westin-Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles 
(and some goodies along the way!).

HEY YOU...playlist, that is...

Wow, talk about inspiration! How many authors can say that the title of their book corresponds with the title of a rock song?  And the band even gave permission?

Music is a huge part of my life and flows into my writing. I have a playlist for every single book I've ever written and burn a CD of the songs to listen to on my commute to work. This is my playlist for Hey You.

HEY YOU
Run Devil Run
at the Roxy 12/4/2010

Not making fun of the band because they rocked it, but the crowd singing along cracked me up. Run Devil Run sure does inspire the fans!

Outside (Staind) ~ The demon Watcher, Marek, knows he'll be on the outside, looking in...forever.

It's Not You (Halestorm) ~ What Cara keeps telling herself when she's trying to ignore her growing feelings for her demon. "I don't see your name on my tattoo"...gosh, Cara! That's gonna hurt his feelings!


It's Been Awhile (Staind) ~ "It's been awhile since I could hold my head up high". Poor, tortured Marek...he never feels like he's deserving of anything, including Cara's love. 


Ashes to Ashes (Faith No More) ~ just a really dark, brooding song. And except for the short hair, the lead singer in the video is pretty much my vision for the demon, Marek.


Terrible Lie (Nine Inch Nails) ~ "Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams".  Since the only way Cara and Marek can truly communicate is in her dreams, she begins to welcome sleep so she can be with him.


Addicted (Saving Abel) ~ "It's unlike anything when you're loving me"...what girl doesn't like to hear those words?


Over and Over (Three Days Grace) ~ "I know what's best for me, but I want you instead".  Pretty much sums up how Cara feels and how Marek wants her to feel. Oh, the angst. 


Love Hurts (Incubus) ~ "Love hurts, but sometimes it's a good hurt, and it feels like I'm alive".  Marek needs all the help he can get to feel alive. Just sayin'


Sound of Madness (Shinedown) ~ "I wrote the book on madness. Wrote the book on pain. The darkest hour never comes in the night.  When you gonna wake up and fight?"  I'll take What the Nocent says to Marek for $100,  Alex.


Acts of Man (Midlake) ~ "Great are the sounds of all that live. And all that man can hold".  Poor Marek really misses his mortality.

I'm Alive  (Kenny Chesney/Dave Matthews) ~ "Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see. Today's the first day of the rest of my life".  *SPOILER* Pretty sure both Cara and Marek are thinking this when Marek returns to her after sacrificing his soul to save hers.

Life is Beautiful (Sixx AM) ~ "Just open your eyes and see that life is beautiful". 

The end.

Decadent Publishing ROCKS a new anthology!

Decadent Publishing announces the release of a Paranormal-romance fiction anthology rooted in rock ‘n roll and ripped straight off the Sunset Strip.

Run Devil Run, an L.A.-based rock band well known locally for their dynamic live performances, diverse musical talent, and humorous video antics has lent their faces, titles and lyrics as inspiration for a five-book series with the publisher. The stories are penned by popular and award-nominated authors Rachel Carrington, Mari Freeman, Susan DiPlacido, Valerie Mann and Becca Dale, and will be released first in ebook format, then later in print.

“I’ve seen RDR play live several times and they are impressive. When this idea came to me, they were a natural fit. Paranormal romance lends itself easily to the Rock vibe,” says Heather Bennett, Co-owner of Decadent Publishing. “Customers who buy the series off our site will be treated to a free download of the coordinating song so they get the whole multi-media experience.”

Mari Freeman writes,” Music has always influenced my writing, but creating a story, characters and an entire world based on the lyrics of a song has been one of the most unique experiences. The collaboration between Decadent Publishing and Run Devil Run has found a creative way to take that musical influence and share it with readers. Read the book, get the song that inspired it. That rocks!”

Remarks Jackie Joyride of Run Devil Run, ”The fact that our music could inspire authors of this caliber to bring characters to life, I mean, it’s a thrill for us. It’s been great working with Decadent Publishing and to see these stories come together around our music…it’s an ego boost for sure!”

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