The first version of the book cover for The Wolf of Dorian Gray – A Werewolf Spawned by the Evil of Man was a labor of love. I used my Photoshop background and went through several iterations to create my vision on the printed book cover. I was very pleased with it and many have responded that they love it. However, experts have informed me that it might not sell as well as a different design. Below are a few iterations of my indie book cover redesign journey. Please vote in the poll and comment and leave your feedback on what I have settled on for the changed book cover design for my self-published book.
Original Book Cover Design
Thumnail
Version Two of Redesigned Book Cover
In the version below I tried to add some color and contrast to make the photo jump out particularly when viewed very small. Notice the difference in the thumbnails.
Version 3 of Indie Book Cover Redesign
I was pleased with version 2 above but several people still said they preferred the white and I wanted to correct several “issues” such as the background being too busy and some other defects. I made another version with no Big Ben in the background although I hated removing it.
Version 4 for my Self-Published Book Cover
Version 3 was an improvement but didn’t quite have the same amount of contrast. It was received very well but the thumbnail was a little hard to make out. Also despite my love of the font’s I was informed by the experts that certain font’s are as likely to sell the book. So I made some changes in the final version below such as lightening the werewolf. Please comment below is this better or worse that the original or other versions?
Version 5 By Popular Demand
By popular demand, version 5 which is a combo of version 4 and the original but with new fog!
Version 6 Updated Fonts
I wasn’t happy with some of the fonts so one more change. Less yellow, more color, and shadow on legs.
Below is a list of popular werewolf fiction books. A sort of list of werewolves throughout history in literary form:
Metamorphoses by ovid features King Lycaon (Arcadia) – Greek Mythology, Arcadian King Lycaon killed and served Zeus’ son to him in a meal. Zeus transformed him into a wolf and killed his 50 sons.
“Bisclavret” from Lais by Marie de France (approx. 1175)
Melion (approx. 1200)
Guillaume de Palerme (approx. 1200)
Single line reference, Thomas Malory, Le Morte d’Arthur translated Death of Arthur (1469–1470), “Sir Marrok the good knight that was betrayed with his wyf for she made hym seven yere a werwolf.”
The Damnable Life and Death of Stubbe Peeter by George Boren (1590)
“The Man-Wolf” by Leitch Ritchie (1831)
“Hughes the Wer-Wolf: A Kentish Legend of the Middle Ages” by Sutherland Menzies (1838)
“The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountains” from The Phantom Ship by Frederick Marryat (1839), a female werewolf inhabits the Harz Mountains in Germany.
Wagner the Wehr-Wolf by G. W. M. Reynolds (1848)
The Wolf-Leader (Fr: Le Meneur de loups), Alexandre Dumas, père (1857)
“The Man-Wolf” (Fr: “Hugues-le-loup”) by Erckmann-Chatrian (1859) set in Black Forest of Germany, features noble house with ancestral lycanthropic curse.
“Lokis” by Prosper Mérimée (1869)
“The White Wolf of Kostopchin” by Sir Gilbert Campbell (1889)
“A Pastoral Horror” by Arthur Conan Doyle (1890)
“The Mark of the Beast” by Rudyard Kipling (1891)
“The Eyes of the Panther” by Ambrose Bierce (1891)
The Were-Wolf by Housman
The Other Side: A Breton Legend by Count Eric Stanislaus Stenbock (1893)
The Were-Wolf by Clemence Housman (1896)
The Greek Myths by Robert Graves features King Lycaon
“The Werwolves” (sic) by H. Beaugrand (1898)
The Camp of the Dog by Algernon Blackwood (1908)
Gabriel-Ernest and “The She-Wolf” by Saki (H. H. Munro) (1910)
The Thing in the Woods by Margery Williams (1913, reprinted in 1924 under the pseudonym “Harper Williams”)
The Door of the Unreal by Gerald Biss (1919)
“Running Wolf” by Algernon Blackwood (1921) set in Canadian wilderness features a native American werewolf.
“The Phantom Farmhouse” by Seabury Quinn (1923)
The Werewolf of Ponkert by H. Warner Munn (1925, collected 1958)
“Wolfshead” by Robert E. Howardnovelette first published in Weird Tales April 1926.
Sudenmorsian by Aino Kallas (1928) Finnish werewolf tale translated to English inThe Wolf’s Bride by Alex Matson, 1930.
The White Robe by James Branch Cabell (1928).
“The Master of the House” by Oliver Onions (1929)
“The Wolf of St. Bonnot” by Seabury Quinn (1930)
The Wolf in the Garden by Alfred H. Bill (1931) set in post-Revolutionary New York.
“Tarnhelm” by Hugh Walpole (1933)
The Werewolf of Paris by Guy Endore (1933)
“Death of a Poacher” by H. Russell Wakefield (1935)
“The Point of Thirty Miles” by T. H. White (1935)
The Undying Monster: a Tale of the Fifth Dimension by Jessie Douglas Kerruish (1936)
Grey Shapes by Jack Mann (Evelyn Charles Vivian) (1937)
“The Hairy Ones Shall Dance” by Manly Wade Wellman (1938)
Darker Than You Think, a werewolf classic by Jack Williamson (1940, expanded 1948)
The White Wolf by Franklin Gregory (1941)
The Compleat Werewolf by Anthony Boucher (1942)
“The Kill” by Peter Fleming (1942)
“The Refugee” by Jane Rice (1943)
“Eena” by Manly Banister (1947)
“There Shall Be No Darkness” by James Blish (1950)
“Wolves Don’t Cry” by Bruce Elliott (1954)
“The Hunt” by Joseph Payne Brennan (1958)
Invaders from the Dark by Greye La Spina (1960)
Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson (1961)
Operation Chaos by Poul Anderson (1971)
“Reflections for the Winter of My Soul” by Karl Edward Wagner (1973)
“Lila the Werewolf” by Peter S. Beagle (1974)
“The Hero as Werwolf” by Gene Wolfe (1975)
Lisa Kane by Richard A. Lupoff (1976)
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien (1977)
The WolfMan by Carl Dreadstone (1977)
The Werewolf of London by Carl Dreastone (1977)
The Howling (1977) by Gary Brandner and its sequels
The Wolfen by Whitley Strieber (1978) portrays werewolves as predators of humanity, acting as a “natural” control on their population
The Nightwalker by Thomas Tessier (1979) features a deranged Vietnam Vet resident in London who transforms into a werewolf.
“The Company of Wolves”, “The Werewolf” and “Wolf-Alice”, collected in the book The Bloody Chamber (1979) by Angela Carter
Tales of the Werewolf Clan, Volume 1, In the Tomb of the Bishop by H. Warner Munn (1979)
Tales of the Werewolf Clan, Volume 2, The Master Goes Home (1980)
“The Book of the Beast” trilogy: The Orphan (1980), The Captive (1981)
The Beast by Robert Stallman (1982)
The Beast Within (1981) by Edward Levy
Blood Fever (1982) by Kit Reed
The Discworld (1983–) series by Terry Pratchett
The Talisman (1983), co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub
The Godforsaken by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (1983)
The Wolf’s Hour by Robert R. McCammon (1984)
Cycle of the Werewolf, an illustrated novel by Stephen King (1985)
The Dark Cry of the Moon by Charles L. Grant (1986)
Werewolves by Jane Yolen, ed. (1988)
Wolf Moon by Charles de Lint (1988)
“The Skin Trade” by George R.R. Martin (1989)
“The Manipulator” by Dana Brookins (1989)
Howling Mad by Peter David (1989)
Moon Dance (1989) by S.P. Somtow follows the immigration of a motley group of European werewolves to colonial America, where they confront disturbed human characters as well as Native American werewolves.
Tamed by Douglas R. Brown involves werewolves which are sold as pets.
The Werewolves of London by Brian Stableford (1990)
WerewolveSS by Jerry Ahern and Sharon Ahern (1990)
The Ultimate Werewolf by Harlan Ellison, ed. (1991)
The Wild (1991) by Whitley Strieber portrays the werewolf as a medium through which to bring human intelligence and spirit back into nature.
Animals (1992) by John Skipp and Craig Spector
Blood Trail by Tanya Huff (1992) is Volume 2 in Huff’s vampire series. This instalment deals with a werewolf clan.
Wild Blood by Nancy A. Collins (1993)
Wolf Kill by Gregg Almquist
The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series (1993 onwards) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Thor (novel) by Wayne Smith (1994) has a German Shepherd who protects his family from a relative who was infected by a werewolf. This was the basis for the movie Bad Moon.
Women Who Run with the Werewolves by Pam Keesey (1995)
Nadya – The Wolf Chronicles by Pat Murphy (1996) is about a race of European werewolves who immigrate to the United States in the nineteenth century.
The Werewolf Chronicles by Rodman Philbrick and Lynn Harnett (1996)
Harry Potter series (1997–2007) J.K. Rowling
Return of The Wolfman by Jeff Rovin (1998)
The Silver Wolf (1998) by Alice Borchardt follows the lives of several werewolves in ancient Rome and Ireland. It was followed by:
Night of the Wolf (1999)
The Wolf King
The Werewolf Book by Brad Steiger (1999)
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (1999)
Touch of the Wolf by Susan Krinard (1999) is first in a series of historical werewolf novels.
Murcheston: The Wolf’s Tale by David Holland (2000)
The series Prowlers (2001–2) by Christopher Golden
Fool Moon by Jim Butcher, book two of The Dresden Files (2001)
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher, book four of The Dresden Files (2003
Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (2001).
Wolf’s Trap by WD Gagliani (2003, 2006, 2012) was a Bram Stoker Award finalist, and is first in the Nick Lupo series of werewolf horror-thrillers.
The Essential Guide to Werewolf Literature by Brian Frost (2003)
World of the Lupi series by Eileen Wilks (2003–present)
The Crimson City series by Liz Maverick, Marjorie Liu, Patti O’Shea, and Carolyn Jewel (2005–present)
Maximum Ride series by James Patterson features genetically engineered werewolves called “Erasers” as antagonists (2005–6).
The Demonata series by Darren Shan (2005–6)
The Wolf Man: Hunter’s Moon by Michael Jan Friedman (2007)
The Wolfman by Nicholas Pekearo (2009)
Wolf’s Gambit by WD Gagliani (2009)
Werewolf Smackdown: A Novel by Mario Acevedo (2010),
Overwinter by David Wellington (2010), sequel to Frostbite.
Jane Slayre by Charlotte Brontë and Sherri Browning Erwin (2010)
Wolf’s Bluff by WD Gagliani (2011) is third in the Nick Lupo series.
Being Human series by Simon Guerrier, Mark Michalowski and James Gross (2010)
The Road by Simon Guerrier (2010)
Chasers by Mark Michalowski (2010)
Bad Blood by James Gross (2010)
Grave Expectations by Charles Dickens and Sherri Browning Erwin (2011)
Saamaanthaa by d. t. neal (2011)
“A Death by the Sea” by Cooper Renner (2011)
“A Spurious Death in a Foreign Country” by Cooper Renner (2011)
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan (2011)
Wolf’s Edge by WD Gagliani (2012) is fourth in the Nick Lupo series.
High Moor by Graeme Reynolds (novel, 2012)
The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice (novel, 2012)
Changes: A Werewolf’s Saga Part 1 by Michael Lampman (novel, 2012)
The Pack: A Werewolf’s Saga Part 2 by Michael Lampman (novel, 2012)
Redemption: A Werewolf’s Saga Part 3 by Michael Lampman (novel, 2012)
Wolf Hunter by J.L. Benét (2012)
The Wanderer Awakens: A Werewolf’s Saga Part 4 by Michael Lampman (novel, 2012)
City Under the Moon by Hugh Sterbakov (2012)
The Were-Dwarf by Johnny Mains (2012)
Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy (2012)
High Moor 2: Moonstruck by Graeme Reynolds (novel, 2013)
Darkness Rises A Werewolf’s Saga Part 5 by Michael Lampman (novel, 2013)
Fox Run, the first book in the Madison Wolves series by Robin Roseau (2013),
Wolf’s Cut by WD Gagliani (2014)
The Seventh Sons (Sycamore Moon Book 1)
The Blood of Brothers (Sycamore Moon Book 2) by Domino Finn (2014)
I have what I would describe as a very refined marketing plan. This is a result of lessons learned from the international book launch of my first book and extensive research in several areas. It will be ever refining so please feel free to comment.
The below promotion plan includes a budget of about $900-$2,200 and requires about 3-6 months of concurrent efforts.
Here is an overview of the marketing plan:
1. Print of Advanced Read Copies to send to all of the major editorial review sources. This requires approximately 3 months and a budget of $80
2. Three (yes three) different sources for reliable and independent book reviewers which will receive an eBook copy of the book in exchange for their impartial and professional review on Amazon and GoodReads. This includes a $400-$600 budget and requires approximately 3-6 months.
3. Midwest book review and Red City Book ReviewAmazon and GoodReads Giveaways of the PRINTED book. The idea here is to generate readership and also reviews. The contests typically run for 30 days and then require a book and mailing cost. This can play very well on Twitter particularly if a tweet of the contest is part of the entry requirements. Budget approximately $400-$600 for 40-60 books and requires approximately 2 months.
4. Paid inclusion in Publishers Weekly approximately 3 months and $150 budget
5. This isn’t really a step but the above steps will serve to create an engaged community of readers prior to the book launch. Anything else to create an engaged community.
6. Budget for Facebook ads and Amazon targeted ads (To be determined) this should be super targeted for example to people who like “Stephen King Books” then in the ad say “Do you like Stephen King? Then you’ll love this book on sale for $0.99”
7. International distribution of ebook and printed book through several channels such as Ingram, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, iTunes Bookstore, Amazon, etc, etc
8. ISBN Number listed in Books in Print and Nielsen BookData
9. Launch Party, Book Signings, Book Readings
10. Press Release through PRWeb budget $400
11. Initial free eBook offering through Amazon and several Facebook Groups, sites, and twitter to get the word out about Giveaway and other sites to create a readership community that is engaged
12. Now offer the eBook for $0.99 and promote to those sites (again this is to build some momentum, get reviews, build a community etc) BookBub, Buck Books, ManyBooks $75
13. Continue to build my growing email list
14. Social Media: I am very active with my blog, 4,000+ Twitter followers, Facebook page, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, etc.
15. Advertising promo with FreeBooksy, ENT, AskDavid.com, Book Barbarian, Robin Reads and Choosy Bookworm
“…fear can be an important sign that you are doing the right thing. It is far more fun to do something, than to be constantly afraid of it”
“…if I had read this in a book I would weep for days. Somehow, with it actually happening to me it seems too full of wonder for tears.”
“There on my desk is the first passionate love-letter which I have ever composed in my life—and it is addressed to a dead girl. “
” The wolf had begun hunting human prey. They were plentiful in the dark city streets and provided enough good meat to satiate his gnawing hunger. He was still very careful not to let any who saw him live. To do otherwise would displease the Master. He would only stalk those people that were foolish enough to walk alone in the night.”
“She appeared to be near seventeen years of age, but looked like a vision from the Greek tragedies. With plaited coils of dark luscious hair, lips like the petals of a rose, and large, deep eyes that contained all the delight of her passion. She was the loveliest girl I have ever seen in all my life. Then she spoke. I have never heard such a voice before. It seemed she was instantly Juliet. From deep tones to flute-like music like the lark, she spoke and sang her parts with an excitement that stirred the whole audience. She concluded to thunderous applause and I could barely contain my own appreciation.”
” The engorged moon hung full and low in the sky like a yellow skull. Misshapen clouds stretched across the floating orb with elongated hands and bony fingers grasping. As they neared the docks, the gas lamps grew fewer and the streets gloomier. The cobblestones blackened as they passed the deserted brickfields. Bottle-shaped kilns spat their outrage with orange tongues of fire into the cooling air. Mangy dogs snarled in hunger and wandering sea-gulls screamed their displeasure at the hansom’s passage.”
Dorian Gray returns with an unusual twist in a new book series “The Wolf of Dorian Gray”. Self-publishing indie author Brian S. Ference has released the first book subtitled “A Werewolf Spawned by the Evil of Man” with worldwide distribution. He is simultaneously launching a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to fund the creation of the second book. Platinum backers of the campaign will have their names and descriptions written in as characters to the second book “Purgatory of the Werewolf”. There are several stretch goals in the campaign and if “Bonus Level Four” is achieved then all backers pledging $25 or more will receive all three books in the series as both Audiobooks, eBooks, and printed 6″x9″ perfect bound paperback format. To view the campaign video go to http://www.thewolfofdoriangray.com.
When asked about what motivated him to self-publish the series Brian responded, “I remember winning a state-wide creative writing contest when I was in grade school and being interviewed on the radio. From that moment on, I knew I would one day publish a book and I have finally done just that. It was truly a labor of love for me and I am intrigued by the independent publishing process. I learned as much as I could and have also designed my own book covers and website. I have created a promotional video for my Kickstarter campaign and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for all of my supporters. They should feel pride at supporting self-publishing and helping authors everywhere to tell their stories. Remember, everyone has a story to tell. Whenever I became discouraged I reminded myself of one of my favorite quotes: ‘It’s better to do a thing than live in fear of it.’ I have lived my life that way and that is the attitude that any independent author needs to succeed.”
The first paperback ISBN 978-0-9983252-0-0 can be purchased from BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, or the author’s website https://www.brianference.com. It can also be found in dozens of different ebook formats at the iTunes Bookstore, Kobo, Scribd, and more. The author is currently running an Amazon Giveaway with 50 ebook copies of the book as well as a GoodReads.com Giveaway with 25 signed paperback copies of the book. Enter at http://www.thewolfofdoriangray.com or on Twitter @brianferenz.
Book One Description: The Wolf of Dorian Gray – A Werewolf Spawned by the Evil of Man
“Sage tried to ignore the flash of blood, as the image of the giant grey wolf rushed back into her mind. During one of her nightly gatherings in Epping Forest, she was astounded to come across the animal—which was thought to have been hunted to extinction in England well over two centuries ago.”
So begins The Wolf of Dorian Gray. This expanded edition of the classic philosophical fiction by Oscar Wilde, features all-new scenes in a compelling tale of love, lust, and the werewolf spawned by the evil of man. The story, set in late 1800’s England, follows the life of Dorian Gray, who through ancient Romani magic’s and the skills of an astonishing artist has had his fate and soul irrevocably linked with the last remaining wolf in the forests of England. Dorian revels in the experiences of first love, delights in the art and beauty of the world, relishes the freedom of his youth, and is awakened to the many pleasures of life. His friend and mentor, Lady Helena, provides a guiding hand as he struggles with his conscience and the purpose of living. Meanwhile, the wolf begins to grow and change into a hideous monster that is ravaging the countryside. What will happen when the wolf comes to London? Can Dorian save his soul? Or will the beast consume it and his life, along with those of his friends and loved ones? Complete with adventurous romance, harrowing escapes, hell-bent revenge, and a werewolf terrorizing the gentry; The Wolf of Dorian Gray transcends this classic work of literature into a compelling and most delicious read. Read up to 20% of the book free at http://www.thewolfofdoriangray.com.
Kickstarter Crowdfunding Video:
Author Bio:
Brian S. Ference lives in Cave Creek, Arizona with his wife Rachel and two children Nathan and Lena. He has always had a passion for reading and writing from a young age. Brian loves new experiences, which has included operating his own company, traveling the world, working as a project manager, diving with sharks, and anything creative or fun. He is always up for a new adventure such as writing or other artistic pursuits
Don’t repeat my mistake. You MUST not publish until you mail out ARCs (Advance Read Copies) of the book to major editorial reviewers. Why is this? Most will not review the book after it has been published. Some reviewers have even said they will accept 8 1/2 x 11 printed paper versions of the nonpublished book.
Please note it should be edited and formatted as attractively as possible. The physical pages or ARC should include a “Tip Sheet” of information about the book which should include Title, Subtitle, ISBN, Author, Price, Paperback Perfectbound 6″x9″ Summary and Author Bio and website and email. Make sure to include your return address in a trackable box to prevent damage.
Unfortunately, I can be very quick and impatient. Since this was my first book I pulled the trigger too soon and “published” thus voiding the typical 3 month prior to print review cycle. That is one mistake I will definitely not repeat again. I am currently evaluating paid review options such as Clarion and Kirkus (this run for about $399-$499 which allow for after publish as well as considering just sending the books anyways and see what happens.
I am also relying heavily on web site reviews on sites such as GoodReads and Amazon as well as blog reviews using NetGallery. I will be making a big push on this shortly. Can it overcome the lack of big editorial reviews? We will see and I will keep you updated.
As a bonus, here is the mailing address for many of the editorial review services:
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575
The Barnes & Noble Review
Barnes & Noble/NOOK
1166 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
American Book Review
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901
The New York Review of Books
435 Hudson Street, Suite 300
New York, NY 10014
Rain Taxi
PO Box 3840
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Editor of the Book Review
The New York Times Book Review
620 Eighth Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10018
LARB,
6671 Sunset Blvd.,
Suite 1521
Los Angeles, CA 90028.
Fiction Editor,
The New Yorker,
1 World Trade Center,
New York, NY 10007.
Editor of Book Review
The Guardian
222 Broadway
22nd and 23rd Floors
New York, New York, 10038
The Washington Post
Attn: Book World
1301 K Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20071
Book Review Editor
Library Journal
123 William St., Suite 802
New York, NY 10038
Book Review Editor / Foreword Reviews
425 Boardman Avenue
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Book Reviews,
The Horn Book, Inc.,
300 The Fenway, Palace Road Building,
Suite P-311, Boston, MA 02115.
The Bloomsbury Review
1245 E. Colfax Avenue
Suite 304
Denver, CO 80218-2238
BookLife
Adult Fiction/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror
71 West 23rd Street
Suite 1608
New York, NY 10010
Lynn Green
Editor
BookPage
2143 Belcourt Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Donna Seaman Adult Books Editor
Booklist
American Library Association
50 E. Huron
Chicago, IL 60611
Alex Crowley
Publishers Weekly
71 West 23rd Street Ste 1608
New York, NY 10010-4186
Barbara Hoffert
Library Journal
160 Varick Street Floor 11th
New York, NY 10013-1220
Booklist Online
American Library Association
50 E Huron St
Chicago, IL 60611-2788
Elaine Szewczyk
Kirkus Reviews
65 West 36th Street, Suite 700
New York, NY 10018
212-209-1531
Kirkus Reviews
Vicky Smith
Children’s & Teen Editor, Kirkus Reviews
108 Stillman St.
South Portland, ME 04106
Kirkus Reviews
Eric Liebetrau
Nonfiction Editor, Kirkus Reviews
479 Old Carolina Court
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Book Review Editor / Foreword Reviews
425 Boardman Avenue
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Junior Library Guild
160 Varick Street, Floor 11
New York NY 10013
The Wolf of Dorian Gray is now listed in the Nielsen Book Database and available to thousands of book buyers worldwide. Distribution in over 70 countries through Ingram Spark and others. See the screenshots below! A big day!
Dorian Gray returns with an unusual twist in a new book series “The Wolf of Dorian Gray”. Self-publishing indie author Brian S. Ference has released the first book subtitled “A Werewolf Spawned by the Evil of Man” with worldwide distribution. He is simultaneously launching a 
When asked about what motivated him to self-publish the series Brian responded, “I remember winning a state-wide creative writing contest when I was in grade school and being interviewed on the radio. From that moment on, I knew I would one day publish a book and I have finally done just that. It was truly a labor of love for me and I am intrigued by the independent publishing process. I learned as much as I could and have also designed my own book covers and website. I have created a promotional 
The first paperback ISBN 978-0-9983252-0-0 can be purchased from BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, or the author’s website 
