Anatomy of an Erotic Romance Cover: Malice of Wasteland

Oh boy, this one was tough.

The cover and the story itself went through many, many changes.

As you might know, when I'm not writing porn, I'm watching and reviewing it. On one such occasion, I was watching something, which I cannot recall, I do recall making the comment that whatever I was watching wasn't as good as Malice in Lala Land, or Wasteland. Only, I had typed "Malice of Wasteland"

And then a book was born.

Malice Of Wasteland (Working title, simply Malice), started out as a story about a girl who fucks an entire band to get a spot in the band. But, then, I thought about it more and fleshed out the band itself, particularly the lead vocalist, Nick Scratch. 

And I fell in adoration with their lust for one another.

But if the vocalist was still around, how would Malice get the gig? So I had to make Nick vanish.

At first, he suffered a coma from a car accident, but I didn't want to deal with the pesky recover, the physiotherapy, the stress of healing. I have enough stress in real life, and I write smut as an escape.

So, in the second version, he simply ghosts everybody.

To make the cover, I had to capture the essence of Malice. She's a tough, standoffish woman who has secret insecurities and a soft side. I struggled to capture that while I looked for a suitable image. 

 

I fiddled with placement, as you can see, but decided on the cover on the right. I liked the clothes, the bustier in particular gave her an edge, but I wasn't in love with the hair or the peircings. Still, it communicated the basic idea and I liked the hand up, because it gave a certain kind of grace and was more interesting than Malice just standing there. The image on the left had too much empty space.

But then, I wrote a passage in the book, describing the cover of Malice's album. She mimes opening her own chest.

Then my editor made a joke about making band t-shirts and other merch and DAMNIT KAGE!

So...

I asked some of my model friends if they knew anyone who'd be interested in modeling but it was a time-sensitive matter, and I was already shoulder-deep in Depositphotos.

So I found this.

Original image by Elisanth

Okay, it's more in line of the pose I wanted. Not quite as edgy, but interesting. Then I started to play with the layers, and filters, and colours

It's intriguing, but a little too intense.

And then this happened.

It had a good balance of the reds and blacks and pale colours. It sort of bridged the gap between the super dark cover of Crossfade and the calm pastel cover of Crescendo. I still worry that the gloves make it look too sweet and gentle, but hey, over-all, this story is about letting go, and allowing people to see your vulnerabilities. So in that respect I feel it works.

Welcome to her Wasteland. She really, really likes it...

When exotic dancer Alice Masterson is purchased for a private dance by Nick Scratch, the intimidating but charismatic frontman of the death metal band Wasteland, their mutual attraction causes them to break all the rules. After two nights of searing, kinky passion, Nick ghosts her.

And the band.

And everything else.

With Nick gone without a trace, Wasteland sends out an open audition for a new lead vocalist. Adopting the stage name Malice, Alice answers the call.


Touring with the band revives Alice’s lust for life and her alter-ego can’t get enough of the endless stream of groupies that throw themselves at the band, the top-shelf booze and the parties that rage all night long.


But death metal is a hard road to walk for a woman. Is Malice strong enough to endure the slag and vitriol? Will she be able to keep her two identities separate? And what will become of the band and Malice when Nick Scratch returns?


If he ever does…

MALICE OF WASTELAND is part of SILVER CITY STORIES and is a hard core, kinky BDSM erotic celebrity rockstar romance intended for adults only. It deals with dark subject matter, and celebrates sexual expression between consenting adults.

MALICE OF WASTELAND (Silver City Stories #3) is available for pre-order as soon as Amazon approves it.