Art is easy. Design is hard. In a book cover, I have to capture the entire thing – and that’s not a picture is worth a thousand words. It’s more like the picture is a hundred thousand words. Oddly enough, it’s easier to do client covers. I can detach, step back, pull up comps… Read More Covering the East Witch
This story was born of conversations in molecular bio labs, and human relationships, and knowing how much friendship can mean. It’s science fiction, bleeding edge… it’s hard to stay ahead of the science these days. Wildest imagination finds it difficult to stretch past where we are in reality. If I can’t keep ahead of… Read More Cover Reveal! The Violet Mouse
So I’ve been experimenting with space art again. It’s a lot of fun, which honestly is enough in and of itself. But when I start digging into rendering spaceships, it’s not just for fun. When I create science fiction cover art, I want to use ships. The distant views of nebula or galaxy are amazing,… Read More Spaceship Design
I’m rather excited about this. It’s been a long, busy year, and I’d begun to wonder if I’d be able to release anything significant this year. Well, as I’m wrapping up Lab Gremlins, it’s looking like it will have a Halloween publication date. Only… There’s more to a book than the words which make up… Read More Cover Reveal!
I have all the brainpower of a noodle today. I’m not sure where it came from – probably a TV show – but the thing at our house for a long time was to say ‘But I’m a good noodle’ when something wasn’t going right. Usually the kids, but I’ve been known to say ‘you’re… Read More mental noodle
It’s been a busy month for me, in the graphic design department. I’ve had the pleasure of creating several book covers, in different genres, for clients. I always enjoy this sort of work, from the research into the specific genre covers so I’m sure my work best suits the marketplace, to matching up with author… Read More Book Covers and Designs
I have a post up at the Mad Genius Club this morning. The First Reader will have a post up here later today. And I’m not talking about describing the gory bits in gruesome detail. No, I had planned to do a walk-through tutorial today about creating a logo for your writing business. I hadn’t… Read More Graphic Stuff
My #indiepublishing how-to contribution over at Mad Genius Club today is covers, specifically how to judge, find, and use art suitable for an ebook cover (planning ahead for print, as well). Although this is a topic I’ve covered a few times (heh) this year, we continue to get questions about it, so I’ve done it… Read More Covers and Writing
UPDATED: I have bowed to peer pressure (kidding, kidding!)The cover chosen by popular acclaim is now: OK, based on feedback and sorry, everyone, finding a picture of a blonde woman riding a horse that is affordable stock doesn’t seem to be happening, so… These are the final two options. Because I have class (and… Read More Which One?
As I’m finishing up with tweaks and additions to Farmhand, it’s time to face the other big chore that goes under my Publisher’s Hat (for this book, a ten-gallon stetson I think). I’m putting a cover together. Designing a cover for any genre takes many things and rolls them all up into one 4500×2800 pixel… Read More Creating a Romance Cover
When you are studying book covers while you plot to create your next Indie book… Don’t do ANYTHING you see on this site. Lousy Book Covers Go on, go have a giggle, stare in horror… and then come back and we’ll talk about some bad examples in more detail. I asked for contributions of bad… Read More Bad Book Covers
Let’s see… I finished formatting and playing with the files for The God’s Wolfling last night, late… I should know better than to delve into a project that late at night, it took me forever to relax and fall asleep. But! I’m all ready for launch date, now I just need to think about marketing… Read More Ends and Pieces