All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
A blog about the topics of writing, Choosing your book cover

How much thought do you put into your book cover?

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How important in having a decent cover for your book matters to you? Not sure? Let me ask a different way. When you are in a bookstore, yes they still exist, and going up and down the aisle what catches your eye to pick up a book? Is it the cover? Is it the synopsis on the back? Perhaps it is both. There are sooooo many books out there competing for buyers attention each wanting you to pick it up and examine it. One way is to get a cover that is pleasing to the eye.

One of my writer friends from Canada just requested her rights back and signed up with a different publisher. The graphic artist she is working with now gave her a cover that dissolved her into tears. The main reason being the design that was presented to her had nothing to do with the theme of the book. And when she asked for our honest opinion I told her how it was not very good. Well, the design was good but it did not describe the pages inside.

Creating a cover, whether you do it or a publishing house, to make your book be pleasing is the first step into finding a reader and hopefully a long life fan. It is that important. We can talk about the hook of our manuscript all day long. But if you cover turns away potential buyers they will never get to see if your hook will make them fall madly in love with the rest of your novel.

Blog on writing

One of these things is not like the other: Vanity press

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I came across two curse words in one of my readings. The curse words, well to me, is vanity press. When I was first starting out I had no problem having them contact me. There are a variety of these publishers out there.

You can either be traditional, self published or both. Then you have the vanity houses. But not all publishing houses are the same. Some will ask for money up front. This is also known as vanity press. To be honest they are not interested in what your book is about or if it has promise. They are about the money and how they can get you to work with them, for them and eventually pay them.

Knowing about them early on gave me better protection. However, the last few months I have been hearing writers talk about them like it is a good thing. Let me say up front if this is where you want to go then hey it’s your money. But the bottom line is there are so many other avenues to getting your work out there.

You have traditional and self publishing which continues to evolve as the years go by. Stigmas on either has also evolves some for the better some not so much. But there is not a need to spend hard earn money to get your book out. Not every writer has the funds to do so, and even if the desire to get your book out is strong and it is for all of us, be careful where you place your baby.

It took you a long time to write it, edit it, revise it, edit it again, revise it again and finally get it in the best shape you can get it in. Why place it in the hands of people who to be quite blunt don’t care about your storyline but more about your wallet.

Bog on writing

Criticism on our writings

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Writing, as anything else, is subjective to criticism. People will have no problem telling you that your writings are anything but awesome. If you don’t believe me just go to Amazon and check out reviews of their books, clothes, kitchen appliances and a host of other items.

When my first book came out I had a 1 star rating on it. The only thing is the person said they were reviewing the physical copy. With the book being released on the 13th and if they purchased the book on that day and use 2 day delivery they would have gotten it the 15th. However they found a way to read it as it was being delivered to them and reviewed it on the 14th.

I thought that was rather skillful to read it on route. After talking to Amazon and explaining how this was not possible they removed the review. The same person placed it two or three more times and Amazon removed it each time especially since the person insisted they had purchased a physical copy of it.

You will find people like this regardless of what your product is. And still not everyone will like what you are peddling. Some are nice about it while others want to turn that screwdriver into your skin slowly. Tough skin. We have to have it as writers. Not just through reviews online but through our writing groups or anyone you share your piece with to get their opinion on.

If you don’t have it than be prepared for tears, frustrations, questioning yourself as a writer and in some cases drop what you are doing whether that be for a little bit or once and for all.

Buckle up, it will happen, but stay the course. Also, don’t forget, we all been there and know what it feels like.