Tout your Kindle and E-Publishing!

Good advice, soulmirror!

Oh, and I think I forgot to say, "Congrats, Amanda!"

Well, it's just opinion, shared for whatever worth ... but I challenge anyone to click on those fonts links and look at all of the unique and lovely art and NOT find something and think: "THIS would look great on the cover of MY book!"

I actually luv the art on YOUR book, Amanda!
But (again, tastes differ, and there's a place for minimalism, no doubt there. AND it's uninvited feedback! So, soulmirror, shuddup! )
I wonder if a slightly heavier, slightly more tech-looking title might not reallyreally punch it up? It's thin enough that the dark blue sort of fails to separate or jump out from the background colour. What if you laid a banner across the top, behind the title? Or merely lightened the background behind it so the words stood out more?
(I'm totally unfamiliar with the process of having it up on a website though -- Is it easy or difficult to edit an image or the text once it's submitted?)

But it's cool looking as is, I luv the art. Most times I see an e-cover and honestly, it's a strike against wanting to read the book; yours (all of the ones I see in this thread above) makes me want to buy it.

Just speaking from a cover art perspective, will it help or hurt selling the book ?... These are winners!

Thanks guys! I was actually trying to do some techy, metallic lettering, but GIMP and I, we don't get along so well. I'm not sure if it's my distro or I'm doing something wrong, but nothing seems to go the way I want it to. Right now, the covers are there to get the work out. I'll go back later and clean them up, either by hiring a graphic artist or doing it myself. I've already got someone in mind if I hire an artist. All the same, very exciting times to be had.

Thanks guys! I was actually trying to do some techy, metallic lettering, but GIMP and I, we don't get along so well. I'm not sure if it's my distro or I'm doing something wrong, but nothing seems to go the way I want it to. Right now, the covers are there to get the work out. I'll go back later and clean them up, either by hiring a graphic artist or doing it myself. I've already got someone in mind if I hire an artist. All the same, very exciting times to be had.

Well, it's a pretty minor issue, imo (though I know how getting things "just right" can eat at me! I guess Writers can agonize over a perfect wording or description ... Play much with Photoshop and you can suddenly be paralyzed by staring at six different versions of an image, all tweaked and beautiful in different ways!)

(Some of us got to see a few of the different versions of the WOTF #27 cover and put our .02 cents in, whether to use a blue cover that was used or a sombre sepia or muted cover, etc. The cover artist Cliff Nielsen led a few of our workshops and told us that the art designer can love one version, the artist can love one version ... but if the buyer for Wal-Mart has a complaint ... the cover art changes to suit Wal-Mart!)

Your cover certainly is a good cover and will help sell your writing!

(And I realize that cover art is ZERO reflection on anyone's WRITING! But we know it's a big tool in helping to SELL what we write!)

That gives me an idea for a new thread though ... because I know I'm TOTALLY clueless about the whole e-publishing route (though I'm suddenly very motivated to put a few things out myself!)

HOW TO E-PUBLISH YOUR BOOK or ART
http://forum.writersofthefuture.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1093

Hopefully all of you who are experienced and savvy about e-publishing can help the rest of us out with your insights and advice!

Part 1 of my fantasy trilogy (now writing part 2 and 3 simultaneously):

Blurb:

Deep under the City of Glass in the frozen southern land, an age-old machine called the Heart of the City radiates a power which locals call icefire. Most citizens are immune to it, but a few, always born with physical disabilities, can bend it to their will. For fifty years, the ruling Eagle Knights, who fly on the back of giant birds, have killed these Imperfects, fearing the return of the old royal family, who used icefire to cut out people's hearts, turning them into ghostly servitors.
The old king's grandson Tandor only sees the good things icefire brought: power and technology now forgotten while the people of the south live in dire poverty. He's had enough of seeing his fellow kinsfolk slaughtered by ignorant Knights, of Imperfect babies being abandoned on the ice floes to be eaten by wild animals. His grandfather's diary tells him how to increase the beat of the Heart the first step to making the land glorious once more. Arrogant as he is, he sets the machine in motion. All he needs is an army of Imperfect servitors to control the resulting power.
Isandor is Imperfect, an ex-Knight apprentice, betrayed by his best friend and running for his life.
The queen Jevaithi is Imperfect, living like a prisoner amidst leering Knights, surviving only because the common people would rebel if their beloved queen were harmed.
Both are young and desperate and should be grateful that Tandor wants to rescue them from their hopeless situations. Or so he thinks. The youngsters, however, have no inclination to become heartless ghosts, but while they defy Tandor, the Heart beats, and he alone cannot control its power.

Good looking cover, Patty.

Tired of hearing me ramble on about how Jerry Pournelle loved my Finalist story?

Wondering what could possibly be worth all that fuss?

Well, now's your chance to find out. Inspired by Meghan, I've decided I can't wait any longer to start self-publishing. And so The Mother Anthony is now available as a Kindle ebook. Other formats to follow as I learn.

For anyone who's contemplating self-publishing, let me say: it was easy, and it was fun.

UPDATE: Oh, and also inspired by Annie.

Tired of hearing me ramble on about how Jerry Pournelle loved my Finalist story?

Wondering what could possibly be worth all that fuss?

Well, now's your chance to find out. Inspired by Meghan, I've decided I can't wait any longer to start self-publishing. And so The Mother Anthony is now available as a Kindle ebook. Other formats to follow as I learn.

For anyone who's contemplating self-publishing, let me say: it was easy, and it was fun.

UPDATE: Oh, and also inspired by Annie.

Great! You inspired me to get Kindle for my PC and I made my first Kindle purchase. Now I can find out what all the fuss is about.

Awesome! I may just have to check it out.

And it's away! <img src="

Announcing the release of The Land of OCKT and the Adventures of Peeje, the Kat Herder. Now avaliable direct from Smashwords, in every format compatable with all major e-readers, smart phones, and computers. (It should also be appearing at the major retailers in a few weeks. Right now, we're experiencing a lag time):

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104545

Tags:
absurdist humor, fantasy adventure, ferret, weasel, cat, animals, middlegrade, young adult, series, fairy tale, fable, allegory.

Log Line: In the majickal Land of OCKT, weazels are the only peoples who are clever and fast enough to herd katz. But Peeje, the wily and white, gets into all kinds of trouble when he takes his entire mischievous, flame-hawking kat herd with him on the road to track down a missing baby princess.

Extended Book Description: In the majickal Land of OCKT, weazels are the only peoples who are clever and fast enough to herd katz. And Peeje, the wily and white, is bound and determined to be the most professional kat herder of his kind—a job complicated by flaming hairballs, feline scheming, and the nature of all katz to blip in and out of invisibility. But, when the Council of Indecision makes its first decision in 1,000 years to summon him—Peeje!—on a quest to track down missing Princess Rosepetals, Peeje is forced to bring his entire kat herd with him on the road, and prove just how professional he is, in order to successfully treat with the eccentric creatures of OCKT and ferret out the details of exactly what they know.

Co-authored by J. L. Muriel. With illustrations by award-winning author/illustrator, M. O. Muriel. The Land of OCKT and the Adventures of Peeje, the Kat Herder, is Alice In Wonderland meets The Wizard of OZ. Perfect for all ages. The kid in you won’t disagree!

WOO HOO! I hope you guys like it. Let's see if we can get this to go viral. If you're on FB, share the link, or jump on my page and share the announcement. Power to authors! WOO HOO! WOO HOO!

(Haha, Martin! Thanks. And, well, yes, we authors must inspire one another. Glad to be of service!)

Thanks, Jeanette, Elinor, and Meghan!

I'm pleased to announce the second book in my Digital Sea trilogy -- The Godhead Machine.

When religions spread like computer viruses, even atheists have to take notice.

An old enemy seizes control of the newly expanded Wiki-religion to create a new world order. To stop him, Zel must join forces with a mega-celebrity doing penance and an orphan girl out for revenge. However, mired on a thawing city in Greenland, she cannot just use her considerable powers to bend reality and fix the problem. Instead, she must turn her greatest weakness - understanding people - into a strength or doom the planet to endless religious war.

The book can be purchased as an ebook for $4.99 or a paperback for $14.95.

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Godhead-Machine-Digital-Sea-ebook/dp/B006GIV266/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_12

B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1037088014?ean=2940013475007

Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109833

Paperback - https://www.createspace.com/3725064

*Whew* This is my fifth published book and I'm not done yet for December.

My, that is an eye-catching cover!

My, that is an eye-catching cover!

100% agree. If I saw that cover in a bookstore with all those other covers, Thomas ... I wouldn't doubt for a moment it looks beyond 100% pro-designed.

The shadows behind the title and your name? That's an elegant and subtle touch that a million e-novels don't have! Very nice art! Doesn't necessarily tell us alot about the story, obviously, but even THAT rings of a minimalist graphic design impact.

Story sounds fascinating too!

Thanks Soulmirror and Martin!

When I wrote the novels I had a very clear idea of what I wanted for the covers. The artist I hired did a fantastic job of realizing the ideas I gave him. As you point out, they're very minimilistic, which is by design.

Good job, Thomas!

Nice, Tom!

I have a new short story out:

Description: Creole gentleman Remy Pigeon has a gift, or a curse. He can touch objects and read the past from them.
He prefers to stay away from trouble, but when an attractive red-head with a serious problem and a supernatural secret wanders into his house on a hot summer day, Remy knows that trouble has just found him.

It isn’t live yet for Kindle or for Nook yet, but it is on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110110

And wow -- wowie wow wooooow, as Christopher Walken would say -- that's a seductive, killer cover too, Annie!

1) My opinion doesn't carry weight of course and 2) I figure some WRITERS have an instinctive revulsion when folks are grabbed by covers etc rather than their words ...

But wow! You guys are leaving your competition in the dust, speaking from a cover art marketing / grab the buyers' eye and they'll pick up the book / pick up the book and you've hooked 'em perspective!

Creepy cool cover, Annie!

Oops! How did I forget to include a cover image?

It's my first cover. Feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Soulmirror- I hope that my covers grab readers. They are the first thing a reader often sees.

Martin- I love the stars inside the shadow of the school bell, but the title font seems flat and plain compared to the author design etc. Maybe give it some depth too? (could you do a thicker font and put stars inside of the black lettering? Might have a subtle but cool effect...?)

Soulmirror- I hope that my covers grab readers. They are the first thing a reader often sees.

Martin- I love the stars inside the shadow of the school bell, but the title font seems flat and plain compared to the author design etc. Maybe give it some depth too? (could you do a thicker font and put stars inside of the black lettering? Might have a subtle but cool effect...?)

I love your cover!

And I agree about Martin's cover, as well as with what others said about Tom's cover.

Great job!

There! Now it is live on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Flashover-Remy-Pi ... 006GVZF98/

I'd pretty much agree with others, Martin: the CONCEPT of the cover is very nice (teacher's school bell, stars in the dark shadow of deep space) ...

But like others suggest, the blue type font and title looks like common word processor stuff (unlike the type style used in your name, which I think totally rocks!) And there is noticeable outlining/artifacts around the bell (it really jumps out when the book cover comes up on the kindle sample, for instance)

The challenge in e-publishing cover art is just that: We all want to have cover art that looks as visually pro-worthy as our WOTF writing is pro-worthy!

(Lest anyone think I have too high opinion of my own stuff -- I just spent hours playing with a possible cover of my own -- and it left me humbled, brothers and sisters! I need to wade in and do some re-working on it, zero doubt!)

I think that's all yours might want, too, Martin: just a little polishing up. Three different typefaces may be confusing, where as two would be symmetrical. the metal part of the bell seems blurred. i know putting the author's name first is a not uncommon design choice ... but your name looks so much better (and more massive) than the title that it's a little off imo.

Again, it's undoubtedly an easy fix.

Book 2 of my dark, post-apocalyptic steampunk fantasy is out: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GODGVY

But like others suggest, the blue type font and title looks like common word processor stuff (unlike the type style used in your name, which I think totally rocks!)

Ironically, the name type style is common word processor stuff. I couldn't get the effect I wanted with Paint Shop Pro, so I went back to MS Word and used Word Art. (Once upon a version, I used to know how to do text effects in PSP; but I think it's around 5 versions later, and they've changed the UI a lot.) Dean recommends aiming for a "house style" for your books, and part of that's the typography. I've been struggling to find a way to put my name on a cover that balances my long last name with my short first name and initial. If I put them all on a single line, they have to be shrunk so far as to be hard to read. If I put them on two lines, they're so obviously out of balance in line length that it just looks wrong. Finally I decided that rather than try to fight that, I would accept and even embrace it, making the top line smaller and inset in the bottom line.

I generally plan to put my titles in the same type style, modified as needed for length. But the title font for this one is different because I wanted something that fit the protagonist: graceful, ladylike even, and precise. She's an old-fashioned teacher, so I wanted something like classic penmanship. But maybe that's putting the cart before the horse: the viewer of the cover hasn't met the teacher yet. So maybe I would do better by sticking with the "house style"? Or maybe Annie's idea of a larger font filled with stars.

And there is noticeable outlining/artifacts around the bell (it really jumps out when the book cover comes up on the kindle sample, for instance)

Hmmm... I don't see it, but I don't have an artist's eye. I composed bell, shadow, and background as separate layers. Maybe I need to merge thosee layers so I can apply a filter that will soften the edges. PSP filters don't seem to cross layers.

the metal part of the bell seems blurred.

Heh. That was by design, though perhaps a mistake. The original bell image (a public domain photo I found) has some VERY clear reflections in it, and they were reflections that didn't belong in the story. So I tried using PSP's "clone" tool to grab some of the spots that didn't have reflections and use them to erase or at least blur out the reflections. I'll need to rethink that.

Again, it's undoubtedly an easy fix.

Easy for you, maybe! For me, this is fun, but it's hard work.

Thanks, all!

I'm a dabbler alone in graphic design, but I'll bite, Martin.

I actually love the effect on your name. It's simple, but attractive. Good design--cheaply done, maybe, but still good.

The title font and the blurb? Not so much. It's simple, like your name, but... unattractive.

The flat blue doesn't work, and although I'm not much of a font snob some people will probably kill you for using Times New Roman in any kind of graphic design (that is what that is--right? Times New Roman?).

You could try adding a drop shadow onto the text, although I'm not sure how you'd affect that in PSP (I have photoshop through work, and use that instead). I'd definitely recommend a different font. Generally speaking, you want to stick to a common font family--if not a common font--in your text layouts. This is most noticeable

Regarding the bell, your artifacting around the handle is pretty noticeable:

Presumably this is because you had to cut out a background from the image, which is damn hard to do. Try to find a different bell image that has that already done, if possible. There also appears to be some weird perspectivey stuff going on with that bell handle--it looks like the base of the bell is at a different angle, or something. I can't figure out why.

Wikimedia Commons is a good place to find high-quality PD images, or there are a few sites where you can get really professional stock images for dirt cheap and use them for commercial purposes. Dropping a few bucks for a better-looking cover may be worthwhile.

Finally, I don't like the gradient in the background. Why not just use a flat colour?

Okay, finally finally--graphics nits aside--the image doesn't really grab me much. It's just a handbell. The stars in the background are nice, but the image as a whole really suggest to me what it has to do with the story blurb. Can you somehow add a bit more narrative into it?

I'm a dabbler alone in graphic design, but I'll bite, Martin.

Hey! If I ruled out kissing, then biting is definitely out of the question! (Besides, I've seen the teeth on donkeys! Ow!)

I actually love the effect on your name. It's simple, but attractive. Good design--cheaply done, maybe, but still good.

I figure whoever Microsoft paid for their WordArt effects is a better graphic designer than I am. (Yes, that's a low bar.)

The flat blue doesn't work, and although I'm not much of a font snob some people will probably kill you for using Times New Roman in any kind of graphic design (that is what that is--right? Times New Roman?).

Don't recall, honestly. I played with over a dozen fonts there. I've found a real problem when you have too many fonts installed: it can be hard to choose, simply because there are so many, and you lose track. What I need is a simple tool (and it's probably out there) that will let me look at the same text in multiple fonts simultaneously. Most tools will only show you one at a time, so: A) you have to remember what you liked about the last one as you look at the next one; and B) you have to remember which one you liked as you look at other choices. "No, that still looks bad. What was the good one again? I forget..."

Heck, I could write that tool in a weekend. Maybe I should, if I can't find one out there.

You could try adding a drop shadow onto the text, although I'm not sure how you'd affect that in PSP (I have photoshop through work, and use that instead).

Drop shadows I can do in PSP. It's one of the only text effects I can still find. But every time I tried one, it seemed to make the text fuzzier.

I'd definitely recommend a different font. Generally speaking, you want to stick to a common font family--if not a common font--in your text layouts. This is most noticeable

Thanks! I hadn't heard that advice. I'll try to take it to heart.

Regarding the bell, your artifacting around the handle is pretty noticeable:

I still have trouble seeing it. I guess I really lack the eye for this. But I think I could fix it with a filter, if I could see it.

Presumably this is because you had to cut out a background from the image, which is damn hard to do.

Yep!

Try to find a different bell image that has that already done, if possible.

I'll look; but it's amazingly hard to find decent close up pictures of brass bells with wooden handles. I don't think there's a wooden handle to be found at that wikimedia link! (I don't insist on cherrywood as it says in the story, but I'd at least like wood.)

There also appears to be some weird perspectivey stuff going on with that bell handle--it looks like the base of the bell is at a different angle, or something. I can't figure out why.

Hmmm... It's a photo, so it's "reality"; but sometimes reality can have a weird perspective.

Finally, I don't like the gradient in the background. Why not just use a flat colour?

I started with plain white. It just looked -- empty, somehow. Sparse, and not in a good way. So I experimented a while, and came up with the gradient. I kinda thought it made the bell and the shadow look like they were sitting on something.

My original had it on a wooden desk; but I could never get the composition right on that one, especially with the shadow.

Okay, finally finally--graphics nits aside--the image doesn't really grab me much. It's just a handbell. The stars in the background are nice, but the image as a whole really suggest to me what it has to do with the story blurb. Can you somehow add a bit more narrative into it?

Hmmm... The bell is the unifying symbol in the story, which is why I went with it. That, and I could basically create it by composing images. More narrative would require some actual art skills (and mine top off at stick figures).

In addition, I'm having a hard time deciding which scene would make a good narrative image. I have one scene very clearly in my mind, but it's the freakin' last line of the story! Talk about ruining the surprise!

For something more narrative, I'll probably have to hire an artist who could read the story, identify a great visual scene, and draw that; and that isn't in my budget yet.

Thanks!

Hey! If I ruled out kissing, then biting is definitely out of the question! (Besides, I've seen the teeth on donkeys! Ow!)

Don't recall, honestly. I played with over a dozen fonts there. I've found a real problem when you have too many fonts installed: it can be hard to choose, simply because there are so many, and you lose track. What I need is a simple tool (and it's probably out there) that will let me look at the same text in multiple fonts simultaneously. Most tools will only show you one at a time, so: A) you have to remember what you liked about the last one as you look at the next one; and B) you have to remember which one you liked as you look at other choices. "No, that still looks bad. What was the good one again? I forget..."

Heck, I could write that tool in a weekend. Maybe I should, if I can't find one out there.

Photoshop sort of does this. You could try http://www.typetester.org/

I'd definitely recommend a different font. Generally speaking, you want to stick to a common font family--if not a common font--in your text layouts. This is most noticeable

(Whoops--I meant to say that this was most noticeable in the difference between your title font and blurb font.)

Hmmm... It's a photo, so it's "reality"; but sometimes reality can have a weird perspective.

Indeed. Maybe just a problem with my brain or eyes (or both).

Hmmm... The bell is the unifying symbol in the story, which is why I went with it. That, and I could basically create it by composing images. More narrative would require some actual art skills (and mine top off at stick figures).

That's my problem too. So, fair enough!

ETA: A List Apart also has some really great articles on typography and design in general: http://www.alistapart.com/topics/design/typography/

Yay! The Land of OCKT and the Adventures of Peeje, the Kat Herder, is officially in Smashwords Premium Catalog and has been sent out to all the retailers (except Amazon, but that might take until the end of the month for them to get on board with the Smashwords distribution model). In the meantime, it is now appearing at the Kobo store, but it's missing the cover, so as soon as that uploads, I'll post the link. It will likely also take a week before it appears on the virtual shelves of B&N, Sony, and Diesel. So those links are forthcoming as well. (I shall post 'em when I get 'em).

In the mean time, it's up and kicking--cover, metadata, and all--at the Apple iBookstore!!!: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-land-ockt-adventures-peeje/id485800775?mt=11

Phft!

I'm certainly not skilled in Photoshop (though I'm trying to learn) -- and this thread's about touting not how-to'ing --but a quickee comment would be: I've never had the Photoshop magic lasso cut (if I'm thinking of the right tool?) something from a layer without leaving artifacts; I just use the manual eraser tool, blow it up huge and erase the outline by hand (yeah, it takes a while, but can be flawless).

The smearing on the bell just seems very wrong to my eye (I thought that's what you were having to do, to get rid of reflections on the bell). If the handle hits someone else as wrongly-angled, the loss of a horizon is fooling the eye possibly.

The typefaces ... that's just my tastes, but I think anyone shopping for an e-book is instinctively atuned to "common" typefaces/fonts ... so they're seeing common ones as "Heck, everybody has those on any pc = amateur" versus "Hey! I've never seen that used like that = unique = pro"

Some people LIKE the familiar (gosh knows I get alot of blowback on my weird choices in forums, threads, on projects, in art, etc by people who value "familiar" and "clean" more than other things) versus ... whatever the heck the creativity of the moment lures me into trying out. So everything is meant to be taken with a grain of salt or spoonful of sugar, I know. (But others seem to key on the typeface too, so ...)

----> Can we go back and only change the cover art in our Kindle books ... or must one re-submit the entire project, text etc?