Book Covers.

[Forever Zero]

Haven't posted here in ages, hello everyone.

Anyway, I've been curious. Has an author ever design his own book cover? And if not, does anyone know if it's possible to do so? I am an illustrator as well as a writer, and I don't trust a visual representation of my work in the hands of anyone but myself.

Thanks for any input anyone can provide.

[who me]

yes, the Original cover of "The great Gatsby" was painted by Francis Scott Fitzgerald himself.

J.R.R. Tolkien also did allot of drawings for lord of the rings and the Hobbit. later some of them were used as covrs for his books.

[The Master]

I think most author's don't do this because they don't have that kind of artistic skill. But as pim says yes, it has been done and there is no reason you can't do it for your own book. Of course, your publisher would have to agree

[Qray]

There are even templates and software out there that will allow an author to design their own book cover.

[Ariel]

Would love to see your cover art! Talk about talented, a writer and artist. Wow!

[Fel_Editor]

I illustrate and design my own covers. It helps if you're a freelance illustrator as well as a writer though
Writing: http://felfiction.com
Illustration: http://turnbullportfolio.com

Janny Wurts also paints some of her own covers as far as I understand. I suppose it helps that she is married to Don Maitz, a veteran cover illustrator. I just remember reading that in some art book though, so I could be misremembering it.