So I finished my first draft of “The Liberty Box,” and sent it off to one of my editors for mostly character work stuff. A quick synopsis:
Kate Brandeis has it all: a famous reporter at the age of twenty-four, she’s the face of the Republic of the Americas. She has a loving fiancee and all the success she could wish for. But when she learns of the death of a long-forgotten friend, her investigations unravel her perfect memories, forcing her to face the fact that she’s been living a lie.
Jackson MacNamera, trained from a young age in the art of mind control, returns to what he thought were still the United States for his mother’s funeral. Within a few hours of his arrival, authorities collect Jackson and take him by force to a room ironically called The Liberty Box, where he must choose between surrendering his thoughts to the new Republic, or fleeing for his freedom.
Kate, bereaved and confused, finds her way to a cave community of refugees, where Jackson seems to offer her an escape from her grief. The two forge an uneasy bond, and in the process Jackson learns that Kate has some insight which may help the hunters in their attempt to free other citizens from the tyranny of the Potentate. Against the expressed wishes of the Council, the hunters plot a series of daring raids, attempting to prove that not only is freedom possible, but that the citizens are not too far gone to desire it. But with the odds so stacked against them, can the refugees succeed in their rescue missions right under the Potentate’s nose?
Looks like it’ll just be two books, not three this time, based on my outline (though these things change!). Currently brainstorming cover ideas! (For the moment I’ll use a place holder of a random box.) 🙂
Based on the title, the genre, and the synopsis above, which sounds most intriguing to you?
a) Solid background, a symbol (probably of the Republic), to indicate it’s a more “epic” kind of a tale?
b) A partial image of either Kate, Jackson or both? (their backs, silhouettes, or a portion of their bodies) to indicate it’s a more character driven story?
c) A solid background of some kind with the title alone?
d) (Your suggestion) — what kinds of cover artwork grabs your attention most?
Maybe some kind of new flag incorporating the old American Flag, but changed, and translucent images of Jackson and Kate’s faces above and below it?
d) An M. C. Escher box design – things are always what they appear to be.
Hey Jim – you mean like this? http://www.crystalinks.com/cubewood.jpg
Yes. But maybe done as prison bars?
LOVE IT!!!
This sounds so fun!!! A or C–simplicity is key. I know a fantastic cover designer for this kind of thing–let me know if you want a recommendation!