An Interview with Cover Artist Debi DeSantis:
Hi Debi. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview. I think most folks know the basics, you are a guy or a gal who does those dreamy and/or risqué covers for romance magazines and/or novels as well as promos, so why don't we attack this from another point of view. *bg* I know my readers truly are interested to find out as much about you as possible, as the world of romance can stir all kinds of queries. Answer all the questions as fully as you can, and with that in mind, let's get started...
-RaH: Tell us about your break into the world of cover design. Where were you? How did you feel? Were you nervous about selling your first covers?
Debi: I don’t know where I was but the break was when author Ann B Keller let me do her cover for her book Briggen. A while later she entered it into a cover contest and I won Book Cover Artist for the Month of March 2009. That was a really huge accomplishment!
-RaH: Do you prefer print or epublishers? Do you prefer the larger houses over the small independent publishers or epublishers?
Debi: When it comes to designing a book cover either one of the above is perfect. I love doing it and the more I get to create…the better.
-RaH: What publishers have bought and/or featured your covers? What authors?
Debi: Ann B. Keller
Yvonne Mason
Dr. Leonard Coldwell
Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc
Gary James
Cathy McDonald
Lindsey Allard
Zumaya Publications
Wicked Women of Color Press
Nightfall Publications
Wild Horse Press Author
Esquire Publications
Reinging Light Publishing Co.
-RaH: Was being an artist a goal? If not, when did you realize that you would like to be an artist?
Debi: I started out with writing a romance novel and children’s book first and made the covers for both. I really enjoyed do it so I contacted a few authors on myspace and the rest is history.
-RaH: Did you always have an interest in developing covers around fabulous bodies and/or caricatures, or do or did you have a previous or current career for which you had to have artistic talent?
Debi: My talent has never been artistic. I do make gourmet gift baskets for the holidays (I had my own store for almost 2 years) I design my own beaded jewelry and write. I never became interested in designing covers until I did my own, then I figured I have to software to do it I should give it a shot.
-RaH: What was your biggest surprise about being a cover artist? (Good or Bad)
Debi: The amount of people that love them and the wonderful praise I receive from fellow authors and publishers.
-RaH: I know some covers feature couples, do you have any favourites among the models you use when couples are needed?
Debi: I really don’t use any specific models. I purchase my photos from a royalty free site.
-RaH: Do you like/enjoy your work? The hours?
Debi: I love it and can’t get enough of doing it. I find it addicting. The hours are long and I often find myself working past midnight.
-RaH: What do you like best/least about being a successful cover artist?
Debi: The final cover. I love to see the covers when they are all finished and I really enjoy working with everyone.
-RaH: What sort of hours does a cover artist normally work? Do you work from home or do you have a studio??
Debi: I work from home (thankfully) I work any and all hours of the day if necessary. I usually always beat the deadline and have time to spare.
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General Stats: married with 2 children - 23 and 11 yrs.
Birthday: 4/4/66
Gender: Female
Years of Experience: 7 writing and 3 designing
Favourite Colour Scheme: purple, neon green and periwinkle (for my website)
Latest Cover: Brilliant Insanity for Yvonne Mason (my best client)
Favourite Cover: lots, but I really love Spellbound (story by Lindsay Allard )
Contact Information: debi040466@aol.com
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-RaH: Do you work outside of your cover art business? If so...How do your two careers fit? Do your coworkers and friends know you are a cover artist?
Debi: I was going to med school for about 9 months while doing the cover art thing and everyone knows. When you’re on facebook, it’s hard to keep it a secret.
-RaH: Does your involvement in the world of romance cover art affect how your friends/colleagues/clients look at you?
Debi: They think it’s really neat.
-RaH: What do your friends, and family, think about your choice in pursuing a career as an artist? Are they supportive of your choice?
Debi: Everyone is very supportive and they can’t wait to see what I’m doing next.
-RaH: What is your schedule like as a result? Do you have enough time for friends and family?
Debi: For the most part I do, but when I am working on a couple of things at the same time, time for family can be limited. That is why I work such late hours sometimes, so I don’t cut into too much family time. I am guilty of doing it though.
-RaH: As an artist, you are probably a person of many talents and interests. Can you tell me what some of your other interests are?
Debi: As I mentioned above, I have my gourmet gift basket business, I make beaded jewelry, and I love to write. I really enjoy anything on TV that has to do with crime and medical knowledge. My first love was to do something in the criminal justice field.
-RaH: Do you have any opportunities in your career to make use of them?
Debi: I do, the criminal justice thing will probably be on hold for quite a while. I still have about a year of schooling to get my Associates degree. I did go to medical classes for 9 months but had to take a hiatus for personal reasons.
-RaH: Being popular can have its rewards and drawbacks, what do you like best about the attention your art gets? The least?
Debi: When the authors and publishers have nothing but wonderful things to say about my work it really is a high. I haven’t had any drawbacks as of yet. The only thing I could say that would be a drawback of designing the covers would be that some authors drag out the process for weeks and weeks and some publishers do the same. I like to do the cover, get it approved and move on to the next one.
-RaH: I know some people prefer photo shoots and live models, do you use them? Do you have any favourite people to work with i.e. models, photographers, videographers, filmmakers, and why?
Debi: No to all of the above.
-RaH: Where do you call home? Do you travel, and if so, do you mind the traveling you have to do?
Debi: I live in WPB Florida but I’m originally from Bensalem PA. a small town just north of Philadelphia. Travel is my vise and I wish I could live on the road. I would make a great baseball player..lol. I don’t travel for my cover designs though. I have traveled for book signings in the past.
-RaH: If you could make one choice of career and be assured success, what would it be?
Debi: Not sure
-RaH: Is there anything else you would like my readers to know about you?
Debi: I do a lot of other creative things for authors, publishers and people in the literary business. I design wehsites, banners, bookmarks, flyers, and other marketing materials.
Thank you very much for taking the time with me and answering my questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule, and I hope my readers will appreciate it as well. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to your next cover!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Visit Debi's Web Site Facebook Photo Gallery
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