I’m all about education and reading. I donate a share of each book that I sell to an organization that helps impoverished children go to school. so when I saw this, I had to share it.
Archives
The Basics of a Book Cover
I gave a presentation recently at the Wisconsin Writers Association Author’s Showcase in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It was on “The Basics of Book Covers.” I told the participants that I’d share the powerpoint with them so I am sharing it with them and with you, because I like you all so much. Really, I do!
So if you want to learn the basics of what makes a good or not-so-good book cover, click this The Basics of a Book Cover and take a look.
If you are a Wisconsin author, I’d encourage you to join the WWA at their fall conference Oct 3-5. This is the first conference I went to and I met many wonderful authors who were all willing to share and support each other in the work we all love.
(Full disclosure here, and to give those who know more than I do about cover art their due, I gleaned some of my information from my brother, Earl Keleny, who is a professional illustrator and from Dave Bricker of the website: theworldsgreatestbook.com. Earl has worked on 4 of my 5 book covers and always does a wonderful job.)
Wisconsin Writers Association Author Showcase
If you’re a Wisconsin resident and live in or around LaCrosse, I want to invite you to the Wisconsin Writers Association Author Showcase. It runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will have over 20 authors there speaking and selling their books – me being one of them. I will be speaking on book cover designs. So come by and support your fellow writers!
Wisconsin Writers Association Author Showcase:
Saturday, May 3rd, 1914
8 am to 2 pm
Days Inn, French Island
LaCrosse, WI
Smashwords: Indie Author Manifesto
I Need Your Help
I am trying to decide on the cover for my next historical fiction: Will the Real Carolyn Keene Please Stand Up.
It is a story about who created Nancy Drew. You would think that would be an easy answer but it’s not. In fact, in 1980 there was a lawsuit to answer just that question (plus who owned what rights to the Nancy) and there is still significant controversy even today. My book is currently in the hands of my betareaders, but after they are done with it and I make my appropriate changes from their comments, I’ll have it out for you-all to read – I’m hoping by July. But until then I have to decide about the cover.
My basic cover was created by SelfPubBookCovers.com. I worked with Rob – the creative director – and he was very helpful in giving the artist that they picked some examples of art of the era that I was looking for (the 50s), and the show I was basing my title off of (To Tell The Truth). I needed a custom cover, which cost a bit more, but they have lots of pre-made covers in many genres that you can pick from and tweak to your liking for cheap! That coupled with the excellent customer service, I’d recommend Self Pub Book Covers to anyone. Unfortunately for people like my brother (Earl Keleny), who do cover art for a living, they are some stiff competition. Though when you go to his site, you’ll see why he gets paid more for what he does.
Anyway, here are 4 different versions of the same cover. I’ve added a border to three of the four. You’ll have to look closely to see the difference between them. Let me know your preference.
Thanks!
-
- Cover #1
-
- Cover #2
-
- Cover #3
-
- Cover #4
Amazon launches Christian book publisher – Puget Sound Business Journal
This is an interesting but if new. I’m not surprised. That’s a big audience.
Amazon launches Christian book publisher – Puget Sound Business Journal.
Take It Easy With the Thesaurus
Liz Bureman on thewritepractice.com makes a few good points about using a thesaurus. You have to be thoughtful with word use, thesaurus use or not. My favorite thesaurus is “Roget’s International Thesaurus,” It is so all encompassing for word derivations, if you can’t find a word in this book you want to use, I’d just give up.
A children’s book editor’s site: writing, illustrating, publishing children’s books
Came across this site by Harold and thought those that are children’s authors might find it helpful. That’s a whole different type of writing, where illustrations are integral to the finished product. Plus – who doesn’t like Harold and his purple crayon.
from scienceblogs.com
A children’s book editor’s site: writing, illustrating, publishing children’s books.
What is a Fixed Layout eBook?
Looks like the next newest thing in ebooks with illustrations. I would imagine Amazon will get on this band wagon very soon. Thanks for sharing Chris Robley, Lynda.com and Book Baby.
How Literary Agents’ Responsibilities and Compensation are Changing – BookBaby Blog
Here is an interesting piece for those who are interested in finding a book agent or maybe just thinking about it. Book Baby president, Brian Felsen, interviews Jody Rein (founder of Jody Rein Books) and Katharine Sands (a New York book agent)
How Literary Agents’ Responsibilities and Compensation are Changing – BookBaby Blog.
CKBooks Publishing 