Category: Artwork
Deep Dark Woods – Cover Art
Coming Soon…
New Website Header
You’ve probably already noticed, but I changed out the above header on the site. The creepy, haunted house with my name had been place since September 2008, so I figured it was time for a change. Going forward, as each title comes out, I’ll remove the oldest book cover and replace it with a new one. Just a fun little thing to keep doing. Hope ya’ll like it. Feel free to let me know what you think.
Create A New Banner Contest
Now that the last Richard Laymon Book Contest is over for this year (yes, it will return in 2011) it’s time for a different type of contest. Yes, you’ll still have the chance to score a free book, actually a few free books – but they will be mine this time.
Here is how it works.
I’m looking for some new artwork to display at the top of my website. I would like the new banner (it needs to be a little larger than 760×200 pixels so I can crop if needed) that incorporates my existing books (except Night School – which is now out of print and I don’t promote any longer) and forthcoming releases. Even though the cover art hasn’t been announced for the majority of my future titles, I would still like to have artwork of what the books are about incorporated in the new banner. This can be open to your interpretation. The only detail that definitely needs to be in there is my name, of course. Other than that, you can put your artist abilities to the test and let fly.
The winner will receive, upon publication, the following titles: Fell Beasts anthology (Edited by me), For After Midnight (my short story collection) and Twisted Tales from the Torchlight Inn anthology (the 3-novella collection by Thomas A. Erb, Dean Harrison and myself). So, as each one is released and I receive my contributor copies, I’ll send you an autographed copy of each.
How to enter:
You have until January 14th to get your entries to me (my email address is under the Contact page). I will then announce the winner and credit you for the banner on or before January 16th. The new banner will also appear at the top of the page at that time.
Thanks and Good Luck!
Fell Beasts – Cover Art
Cover Art by Thomas A. Erb
Coming later this month from Dark Quest Books.
Twisted Tales Cover Art
Below is the working front and back cover art to Twisted Tales from the Torchlight Inn. A 3-novella collection by Dean Harrison, Thomas A. Erb and Myself. The book currently has a release date sometime in February 2011. Erb also did the beautiful artwork for this collection.
Fem-Fangs – Cover Art
Below is the working cover art for the anthology, Fem-Fangs, I’m co-editor on. Pretty slick, I think.
Past & Present
A few weeks ago I met Kyra Szepietowski at a location of her choosing so she could take some new promo pictures of me. The setting was Glendale Cemetery in Akron, Ohio. Glendale, established back in 1839, turned out to be the perfect place to have the shoot (even though it was rather cold and dreary that day). Below are only a couple of the hundred shots she took.
Personally, I not only found Glendale to be cool because I write scary stuff, but from a historical standpoint, as well. This probably comes from me being a history major back in college, but as I walked through the place, often found myself looking at the last names and dates on the headstones, wondering what those people had done with their lives. I recoginzed quite a few of the names.
In fact, one of the taller monuments had the late name – Seiberling. One of the Seiberling’s founded a rubber company which ended up being bought by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. I was familiar with the last name while attending Heidelberg College (now, University) – Seiberling Gymnasium.
Anyway, I found it pretty cool.
You can read and see pictures of Glendale Cemetery by visiting Mr. Ed’s blog by clicking here.
Also, if you live in the Akron, Ohio area and are looking for a photographer and would like to speak with Kyra about possibly working together, shoot me an email (under Contact) and I’ll get you in touch with her.
Dawn of a New Business Card
Artwork taken from the cover of my novel, Night School. The artwork was originally done by Jaime Ortiz.
The actual design of the new business card was done by my fiance, Sheryl (and I think she did a wonderful job – and I’m not just saying that to keep me out of the doghouse:)).
Photographer Wanted!
It’s high time that I replace my current ‘author photo’ (me sitting in a chair and holding a copy of Night School – that you may or may not have seen floating around the internet) with some professional looking photographs. I would like these to be taken in a few different locations, showing off my ugly mug in a variety of poses.
So, if you happen to be a photographer (amateur is ok too) and live around the Cleveland/Akron area (or don’t mind driving to me), please drop me an email with a subject line ‘Photographer for Author Photos’ at: ty_schwamberger@yahoo.com and we’ll discuss further. Thanks.
Ty Schwamberger 