When “Green River,” was published in “Ground Fiction” on September 3, 2020, my friend Nick at Edlund Design created a graphic for the story.
Nick has been both an in-house and freelance designer, with nearly three decades of experience creating eye-catching imagery and writing snappy copy.
I was honored.
In the story, Adrian Tannhauser finds himself taking refuge in a roadside convenience store / gas station in Illinois as he travels to the funeral of a friend and fellow veteran.
Seeing Adrian’s name across the top of the gas station was an unexpected touch, one that I never would have asked for myself. Yet, it made the work easily identifiable. Mostly, I thought it was cool, seeing something I created represented in this way.
Then, he did it again.
My story “Eighteen at Cedar Junction” shows what happens when Tannhauser is invited to a sit-down with a convicted mobster at Dermody’s Saloon, a rundown bar that has seen much better days, just like its owner.
This is exactly the feeling I had of the place as I was writing it. Once again, Edlund Design branded the piece by adding Tannhauser to the graphic. “Ice Cold Tannhauser”–how freaking cool is that?
Tannhauser now had a visual identity.
When “High Rises and Hard Falls” was ready for publication, Edlund Design was ready to deliver. After a day of Christmas shopping with his girlfriend Alex in Downtown Crossing, Tannhauser is suddenly faced with both his own vulnerabilities and the pride that makes them sting so much more.
The fact that the G and A are faded from the word “garage” leaving only “RAGE” clearly visible makes this piece my favorite. In fact, every piece of art from Edlund Design is my favorite. That is, until the next one comes along.
I’m glad to say that I’ll have a new favorite image VERY soon.
I give voice to Tannhauser’s world. Nick takes my words and shows me what it looks like.
I am proud to say that Edlund Design is my go-to graphic designer for all things Tannhauser-related.
If you need a smart graphic design, thrilling image, smooth website (like this one), memorable logo, (like “Inkbringer”–he designed this, too), or personal branding for your book, company, or product, I highly recommend Edlund Design.
You can visit their website here: https://www.edlund-design.com/index.html
