IN BETWEEN / Final Cover Art!

In Between by R.A. MacAvoy
(Subterranean Press, September 2009). Catalog Link

At Subterranean Press were slightly late in their schedule, so when they shipped around the ARCs of this enchanting novella, the proof didn't showcase any Art on the cover. Leona Wisoker wrote in her Green Man Review:

I love getting books from Subterranean Press; while I tend to quibble with their cover art, I am more often than not astonished at the writing within. In this case, however, I can't comment on the cover art -- because I got an Advance Proof without any! I'm hoping that the eventual cover is terrific . . . because this book (all books, yes, but this one more than most) deserves a great cover.

Well, I received the assignment only after this awesome review so you can just imagine the responsibility i felt when such a pearl dropped in front of my eyes!

In Between is a stupendous work marking the return of R. A. MacAvoy, a very talented writer, from a long publishing hiatus. She's the author of wonderful novels like Tea with the Black Dragon, Twisting the Rope, The Book of Kells, and The Lens of the World trilogy.

Art can work itself as a powerful social network! After the publisher showed the final design to Bertie, she replied back: "I'm in complete awe of this. Who's the graphic artist?" There were several mail exchanges with the author - it was my turn to be in awe - and next week I'll be sending to her attention a complimentary print of the artwork, sans lettering... It's the minimum homage to someone inspiring so strongly my dreams...

Thanks, Bertie.

2009 Hugo and Chesley Awards!

These are all the main artistic awards assigned in Montreal, Canada, during the 67th edition of Worldcon. I followed the ceremonies live on the Twitter screen (see my new diabolic link on the menu at your right) as an editor for Convention Reporter, helped by the reports of my amazing colleague on the field John Picacio (Chesley for Best Paperback Cover)! About Convention Reporter, it's another incredible initiative launched by the unstoppable Cheryl Morgan. Stuck in all the Canadian airport for days - maybe also while I'm writing - she was able to attend myriads of panels, deliver real time news and conquer a well deserved Hugo, as Best Fan Writer. Godspeed, Cheryl, you have all my admiration...!

The mythical Donato Giancola brought home three Awards and maybe I'll be able to express personally my congrats to him when next fall he will attend Lucca Comics here in Italy.

On my front I was defeated by the wonderful cover for Clarkesworld by Matts Minnhagen. Eh, my category was indeed explosive...

Back to hard work now! In a few days I'll post new art! Judges of the next editions, sit tight!!!

HUGO AWARDS

Best Artist

Donato Giancola

Best Fan Artist

Frank Wu

CHESLEY AWARDS

Best Cover Illustration: Hardback Book

Donato Giancola, A Book of Wizards edited by Marvin Kaye (SFBC, April 2008)

Best Cover Illustration: Paperback Book

John Picacio, Fast Forward 2 edited by Lou Anders (Pyr, November 2008)

Best Cover Illustration: Magazine

Matts Minnhagen, Clarkesworld, April 2008

Best Interior Illustration

Donato Giancola, "The Wraith" by J. Robert Lennon (Playboy, November 2008)

Best Color Work: Unpublished

Simon Dominic, The Gift, Digital

Best Monochrome Work: Unpublished

Simon Dominic, The Kraken, Digital

Best Three-Dimensional Art

Vincent Villafranca, The Celestial Itinerant, Bronze

Best Product Illustration

Dan Dos Santos, Hellboy II promotional art, Dark Horse & Universal Pictures

Best Gaming - Related Illustration

Volkan Baga, Stoic Angel, Magic Card, Shards of Alara, WotC

Best Art Director

Lou Anders, Pyr Books

Award for Artistic Achievement

Julie Bell, website