Well, as I designed the cover art in Word, it isn't in the proper format for an actual book cover. I would expect that if a publisher wanted to use it they would reformat it to the proper dimensions. My intent was to create an idea first; the rest is simple manipulation.
Thanks for the comments. I too am no photo-digital adept, so I really do not know how to enhance the photo any more than it is. Should a publisher show interest, I am sure they have the resources. As for the part played by the sword...yes, it is in the story, though not a pivotal element. I...
As Torval watched, his amazement grew. What emerged was a length of some sort of wood. It was dark, almost the color of ebony, and shone with a similar luster. He could see the wood’s grain or else he would not have believed the staff to be wood. As Grafeldr finished unwrapping it, he stood up...
“We should go,” he said.
“You did well, Torval,” Grafeldr said and patted Torval’s shoulder. “We will train more another day.”
“Shall we go to the village market now?” asked Ästa getting to her feet.
To Torval’s amazement she looked fresh and rested. He wiped sweat from his eyes and...
Torval was brought back from his reverie by his father’s voice calling from below. He looked down on the man striding toward him. Ingemar was a big man, over six feet, and well-muscled from years of hard work and countless miles at sea working the sails and oars of the longships. His hair...
A man stands alone, a solitary figure on a final battlefield, and regards his enemy across a narrow strip of desolate earth. His long, blonde hair, caked with dirt, blood, and sweat from the exertion of this conflict, blows back from his scarred and bloodied face in the light wind. The man...
Look, there are always arguments for or against traditional or mythic characters in whatever genre you happen to be writing about. I mean, how many detective stories are there where the protagonist is a knock-off of Sam Spade or Mike Hammer? The same can be said about fantasy characters: elves...
Ultimately, these sites can be a good tool to hone your writing skills. The more you write, the better you should become. As for the value of these fanfic sites; they don't seem to have hurt E. L. James the least bit.
Steerpike; of course you are correct. I suppose I did not communicate my thoughts properly. I understand that the standard, traditional take on mythical creatures has been successful and continues to be so. I was only suggesting that, like you mention, if the story moves you in a different...
I am currently writing a fantasy novel with many of the seemingly cliche characters, i.e., elves, gnomes, trolls, etc., but I have altered them slightly to give the reader another perspective. For instance; my elf characters are called "Shadow Elves," and I describe them like this: (an excerpt...