Jun 1, 20233 min read

Covers, Covers, Everywhere

Today is COVER REVEAL DAY and I couldn't be more excited to share this cover with all of you! I spent a great deal of time sifting through images trying to figure out what style should be the identity of Clean Fiction Magazine going forward. I mulled over what I was looking for: bold lines, color blocking, and easily recognized in small format. I didn't know if there was a proper name for what I was looking for and honestly, it took me an embarrassing amount of time to find out. The word was "Kitsch". Usually, this type of art evokes an irreverence for structure and focuses on rather negative aspects of times past, but I have found that a small group of artists is using their powers of creativity for good. This new group calls the style "Modern Illustration". What I love most about this image is the look on Jesus' face. I imagine that when we pray and tell Him about our day, He is looking down just as interested and just as loving. That is why this image is perfect. I can't promise that every cover will hold such deep meaning, but this one at least does.

When Valeriy Kachaev (the artist) was asked where he found inspiration for his illustrations, this was his answer: I take inspiration from the past. I’m interested in breaking the standards of retro-illustration, which was full of gender stereotypes. In my universe, everyone has equal opportunities and an interesting, fun future. The past gives me the opportunity to evaluate the present and look into the future. I like to put unusual characters in ordinary situations. My heroes are sad cosmonauts, joyful robots, emotional men, strong women. I love my characters, watch the changes in their lives with interest, and safely send them off for new adventures.

Though the paperback is not available today, the preorder is! Preorder your Ebook copy of the Summer Edition 2023 TODAY! (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C6NPHQZ1) Both the Paperback and Ebook will launch on June 20th so mark your calendars!!!

May your day be bright and your reading be epic!

~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher

P.S. We will be skipping one FREE Friday as I am knee-deep in laying out the Summer Edition 2023. I can't wait to share the finished magazine with you on June 20th!

This Week's Community Activity:

Show the Winners Some Love

We collected a total of 1,177 votes for this contest and the top ten were super close! Our First Place Winner with 191 votes was The Road Home by Malissa Chapin designed by BeckAndDot Book Covers. Our Second Place Winner with 159 votes was Stay Out of the Basement by Samantha M. Esposito designed by Laura Hollingsworth. The Third Place Winner with 149 votes was Show Me Betrayal by Ellen E. Withers designed by Linda Fulkerson (Scrivenings Press). ALL of the submitted covers and their information will appear in the upcoming edition. Congratulations everyone! Now in quick succession, the rest of the top ten (most of whom received over 100 votes):

Fourth - The Death and Resurrection of Baseball by William R. Douglas

Fifth - Chip and the Book of Rose Leaves by Alexandria Miracola

Sixth - When You Returned by Havelah McLat

Seventh - The Rose Gold Summer by Trista Shaye

Eighth - Shattered Yesterdays by Joan Fennell Carringer

Ninth - Take My Hand by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

Tenth - Robbing Centaurs and Other Bad Ideas by Bethany Meyer

A special thank you to our sponsors K.M. Carroll, Esther Wallace, and Lisa Loucks-Christenson. Find Carroll's fantastic books at kmcarrollblog.wordpress.com, Wallace's books/art at theblackphantomchronicles.com, and The Cougar Creek Herald Series by Loucks-Christenson at cougarcreekminnesota.com.