JT Lindroos: Covers To Celebrate

JT Lindroos

JT Lindroos launched my writing career. As the driving force behind PointBlank Press, he took on an unpublished nobody from Scotland who'd amassed literally hundreds of rejection slips, and risked his editorial ass on Two-Way Split. It was the second book published by PointBlank, JT's imprint at Wildside Press. He's known, quite rightly, as an excellent cover designer. But he's also one of the best editors I've worked with. I learned more in that first edit from him than I'd learned in the previous half-a-dozen years. We went our separate ways after PointBlank, but always kept in touch, and when I started publishing ebooks, there was only one person I wanted to have as my cover designer. JT, poor guy, has done about 20 covers for Two-Way Split alone now! 

Today's his 40th birthday, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to see some of the other covers he's done. There's quite a variety, as you'll see below. Also one or two exclusives. SLAMMER and GUN (now there's a cover that pops) have never been seen before, and BARNEY THOMSON (another beauty) is pretty new as well. So here's to remarkably talented JT Lindroos. Have a good one, Juha!

 

"You only need to look at the PointBlank covers to know that JT Lindroos has an explosive talent for design. For me, Alan Slater will always be that man with the savage side parting, and JT will always be a go-to guy for eye-popping covers. I don't know anyone quicker, better or more open to ideas than him. And the thing of it is, I don't need to. Happy birthday, JT." Ray

"Thanks JT for bringing a great new dimension to my old book. Looking forward to working together on many more. Happy 40!" Douglas



"Happy Birthday, J.T., and thanks for the fantastic covers!" James

"Forty happy returns, JT. If my books were as good as your cover designs, we'd both be millionaires. Much obliged." Declan

"JT Lindroos is a top bloke and absolutely brilliant to work with. He was so enthusiastic about ...Go To Helena Handbasket and had so many great ideas. He came up with a cover design for the book and, after discussion, he then sent me another one...which made me cry. It was absolutely perfect. And that's the same with all the covers that he does - they really fit the books. He understands the books, he cares about them, and he sees things in a unique way. Happy birthday JT, and thanks for everything." Donna

"Happy 40th JT! Always a pleasure – and an honour – to work with you. Many thanks for the stunning covers." Russel

"Best Birthday Wishes to a Great Guy with a True Noir Vision. Have a few vodkas on me today, JT!" Dave

"Great cover for PSYCHOSOMATIC. Have a good 40th, man." Neil

"Happy birthday, JT. Have a fab day and thanks for the great cover design." Ed

"Happy Birthday JT! Thanks for all the great covers you've done so far and all the great ones to come! Hope you have a great day!" Lee

"Here's hoping you have a great day, JT, and thanks for all the superb work you've done. Happy Birthday, sir." Al

"JT - have a great 40th! And thanks for helping me start my writing career with such a fabulous cover." Debbie

Kill Clock Update And A New Cover

Just a brief update on Kill Clock. For those who don't know its history, Kill Clock is a novella that was originally published in paperback by Barrington Stoke. When the digital rights became available, I took a look at the text and decided there were one or two changes I'd like to make before publishing the ebook version.

I made those changes and then passed the revised text along to some trusted readers. They came back with some excellent suggestions, which I've been working on since. I do think that with everybody's help, I've broken the back of this wee fella. I just have to break all its limbs over the next couple of weeks and we'll have something I'm happy with. Yes, writing can be a painful process, especially if you're a book that I've been let loose on.

Meanwhile, I thought it would be a good idea to prepare an omnibus edition of my three novellas. I've called it Three To Kill, keeping up my utterly shameless tradition of stealing titles from classic crime novels. This time, it's Jean-Patrick Manchette I have to thank.

My cover designer, JT Lindroos, has been knocking the ball out of the park recently. This one's no exception. Hope you like it.

Hope you're enjoying the interviews too. Back with more tomorrow.