What Makes a Cover Work

Tor/Forge has just posted a podcast of a great panel discussion on book covers from last year's World Fantasy convention, featuring Irene Gallo, Lou Anders, John Picacio, Tom Kidd, and Tachyon's Jacob Weisman. It was recorded at the Saratoga Springs’ World Fantasy in November, and makes for a fun listen.

Irene Gallo, Tor's longtime art director, commented: "I should also fess up and say, at one point Jacob mentions that artists are not hired based on their best work but on their worst. I have since taken that as my own and have repeated it often. It's a great point to make to younger artists putting together a portfolio." Would-be cover artists, mind your portfolios...