FAO: Neil Roberts
This is Neil Roberts.
Right here:
"Tower, this is Ghost Rider, requesting a flyby."
He’s one of my cover artists. Look at him. Look at his dorky cooler-than-thou sunglasses, which I’m clearly only mocking because I sort of want a pair. But whatever, man. You’re an artist, not an extra in Top Gun.
Get a hold of yourself.
Anyway, where was I?
I’m not blind to how a cover can make or break a novel. It’s Marketing 101, and although I’m a pretty dense guy at the very best of times, I’ve seen good and bad covers have serious impacts so often that even my limited perspective backs up all the talk much smarter industry vets have always told me.
Sorry for taking so long to say thanks, Neil. Things’ve been pretty mental, and I’m (as usual) miles behind my current deadline.
But that’s no excuse. Actually, it is (in fact, it’s two excuses)… but they’re pretty lame. I was also stalling as I tried to think of something profound to say, but nothing magic or majestic has come to mind. You’ll have to settle for this.
I just wanted to say thanks for The First Heretic’s cover. I was floored when I first saw it, and not for a single second do I underestimate the role it played in how well the novel sold. As a sidenote, I still feel a bit guilty for how detailed and demanding I was with the artwork, so I completely understand if this wasn’t one of the more fun-tastic pieces of the Horus Heresy to work on.
Me and Katie don’t really have any effective way of saying thanks right now, but we’d love it if you’d show up at our wedding in the summer. Expect an invite in the post soon.
Aaron Dembski-Bowden 
And a “thank you” from me too. Never judge a book by it’s cover. But it don’t hurt none if there’s some awesome-sweet eyecandy just for shit’s.
I love that you can see his cell phone in those big shades.
That cover was amazing. You two should work together again!
Kinda looks like “Nathan Barley” there.
Wow – thanks Aaron, I’m incredibly humbled by your comments. To use your vernacular, you f**kin’ ROCK, old chap 😉
You are spending too long hanging out with that Dembski-Bowden boy, Mr. Roberts. Your clean-cut, boyish charm is growing tarnished.
The Horus Heresy covers must be a nightmare to even compose. You generally have a main character on the front, but there’s so much in the background. Well, less so with Nemesis, but certainly with the first three and Fulgrim.
I think we should standardise the shape and outer covers of books, because people do judge a book by it’s cover. Have the art on the inside and a nice, tasteful, “Reader’s Digest” cover. Dust jackets, like dinner jackets, should be reserved for special occasions.