Site premiere: Cover art, Triptych Continuum (print) Book #2 · 8:44pm Jul 8th, 2021
It's that time again.
So everyone knows: I'm holding off on putting the books up for sale until sometime after we have the third cover. This is because I'm not sure what the printing service does with shipping costs, and I'd rather not have people paying for postage on one book at a time. Additional weight is never as bad as first boxing, so... assuming anyone actually decides to get copies, they'll be able to make up to three initial choices.
(It's a big assumption.)
But you can't get three covers without settling the nature of the second. And that meant choosing the contents of the volume, along with a representative story.
The first volume, for the pre-Bearer days, reached a choice. The second... that was going to be stories from the early days of the group. Keep it a little bit chronological before things potentially went off the rails.
Some ideas had to be rejected early. Yes, you could argue that the piano is almost a signature image for the 'verse, but it's also a nightmare for a perspective shot: sheer distance between visual elements. I almost went for Emery because y'know, art of Emery -- but it would have been him with one other mare.
But when you look at the stories which would be in this volume... there's a very clear star. The tales focus on the same mare, over and over again. And after that... we just needed the representative. Which story best reflects the naive unicorn who still doesn't quite get what's going on or understand why the world doesn't see things from her point of view? (Since that's obviously the logical one.)
And once you have that standard... there's only one possible winner.
On the record: outside of Twilight's advertisement (where he got in most of the text), the entire notice board is his. (For a look at all of the detail, use this link and enlarge the image.) I just asked him to keep whatever was on it within the limits of Winter, Season 1. He Foglioed it. And that ice texture...
As before, the art has been added to the story as the official cover. EquesTron's original was retired with honors and will likely appear within the book.
To give Harwick his honors, you can comment here or on his DeviantArt page. Those wishing to commission him for their own stories can contact him through FIMFic. He also has a Patreon. I still have yet to talk him into setting up his own tip jar and could really use some help there.
My own tips are currently dedicated to funding more covers. As said above, I had money for the first two set aside when we started. The third has seen the money assembled: my continued thanks to those who've put their tips towards that. (This is where the bribe money for suffering through The Emoji Movie really went.) If you like what you see and want to pitch in towards the next cover, this link goes to my Ko-Fi jar.
So after the next cover is completed -- that's when we go to print. Harwick and I are scheduled to start talking about what that image will be on Wednesday -- and what the book should be. Early leaders are a Sisters Invictus collection or --
-- the first third of Triptych.
The latter represents a very big commitment. It might be too early yet.
On the other hand, there's a lot of sibling stories to sort. Any suggestions for a favorite image from one of them?
(Total Eclipse Of The Fun would be in that prospective collection. However, A Mark Of Appeal is a book onto itself and needs to be published separately.)
Two alicorns. Much arguing.
I love it! Very very cool!
Yup - Harwick does really good art. That's a smashing cover.
5551900
I can't not read that in the voice of Nigel Thornberry. Thanks.
OMFG that art.
That is so adorable and hilarious. I love Harwick's work.
5551906
While I do remember watching that show once or twice, I will continue associating "smashing" with Bayonetta's Final Smash. Yes, she went there. Remember, the Switch of one of her games added Rodin asking to come along the next time she's invited and then he shows up as an Assist Trophy.
Darn it, I was busy putting together an MtG lore dump for a friend during the Discord premiere. Still, amazing work.
I love the notice board. Detail work like that is everything.
That's fantastic! Can't wait to order the books when they're out~
A book dedicated to the sisters?
The two running in fear from the attacking rocs of “Princess Labor” would be a fun image.
Or something from the castle plumbing story...
5551959 I loved the picture that Katiepox did so much (and that Bad Horse used once) that I put it on the compendium printed for the last Bronycon. Let me see if I can link it.
(here we go, from the publication page)
assets.lulu.com/cover_thumbs/1/7/176kkry7-front-shortedge-384.jpg
Is that Mr. Waddle in the background?
5551986
Yes.
An image from Total Eclipse of the Fun could be neat. Or a group shot of the sisters and the prominent staff members from the stories.
I don't know how representative it would be, but Anise shouting at the sisters after they blew up her kitchen, or the follow-up food fight would be funny.
Or the sisters in full golf kit.
5552096
Hmm… with the XO in the background, ears tracking the diatribe, taste-testing the fried ice cream? Maybe with one of Luna’s ears turned just a titch towards him, and/or her leg at resting position towards him (as a very subtle visual signal that she’s paying attention to him, to look back towards him)?
Oh, excellently done as usual, Harwick!
Fantastic art Harwick. I hope everything goes well with the printing process Estee. Thanks for letting us know!
Harwick is among my favorite artists. I wish you success in your printing endeavors Estee.