Book Covers, Illustrators, Sharon C. Williams

Your book cover: It’s important

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Jasper ebook cover small

Book covers are so important. It is the first thing readers will see when your book catches their eye. One has to spend some time with the illustrator, being willing to compromise and also knowing when to stand firm at the same time.

I am fortunate that I have two illustrators that are awesome. Squirrel Mafia was easy, with it being a non fiction book, since all the pictures in the book and cover are ones I personally took from around my area. For my Jasper series it involved me sending the team close to 100 pictures of Jasper so they could get a good idea of what he was like, his mannerisms and positions that he had. So the two covers reflect that.

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It again takes time. I have had to tell them a/Ah hmm can you lighten this portion of the book? b/ Can you lower the title a bit? c/ Can you make the font for book 2 a bit more bigger? d/ Ah hmm that is not the title I ended up with to f/ No that won’t work at all.

The team that does Jasper is wonderful and are willing and open to listen to my ideas and thoughts when it comes to the cover and the pictures inside . I am fortunate they give me leeway with each of my books and also welcome suggestions and don’t get upset when I say no that is not going to work period.

I want it just right. It is a tiresome process and stressful one at that for I want it as great as I can get it. Not everyone is going to like it. That’s okay for you can’t please everyone. What I need to do is get a cover that represents the material inside to the best of my ability.

Literary Grant, Writers resources

Literary grant: free money

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money

 

In 2013 the local art council of the county was offering a literary grant. You could ask up to $2500. The point of the grant was to fund projects that would help us progress to the next level of our career. I was fortunate to be one of seven applicants to get awarded.

The rule is you can’t apply two years in a row if you win. That was okay for last year the grant was not strictly literary but all art. However this year they are funding another literary grant and I am debating trying for it or not. Time is not on my side and I hate to do a hap hazard job of it and then not stand a shot of getting my grant application approved.

I have written up half of what is required so far but the deadline is next month and time is going by fast for me to get it all done. So I am flip-flopping on this issue. It’s free money to spend on what I need. It is worth a shot even if I don’t win, right? I am trying to figure out what to legitimately ask for, quote the prices and keep working on this applicant and see where it falls. For as my motto has been for the last few years when it comes to my writing has not changed, “All they can say is no.

Jasper Rainforest Friends and Family, Promotional sale, Sharon C. Williams

Promotional time: Jasper Rainforest Friends and Family

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Presale Promo Image Jasper book 2 (1)

 

I learned from my publisher that Jasper: Rainforest Friends and Family, which is volume two of my Jasper series, is being released in early October. WOOHOO!!!

So for a small time there is a promotional gig going on. There will be a discount price on not only the new book but also the first volume so anyone can catch up before October and be ready for the second one. I’m very excited and can’t wait to be able to hold and see the new book in my grubby little hands. Also volume one was just recently nominated for a book club award. A great time to see what is between the pages of it.

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Volume three has been written and it is gong through my writer’s groups for critiquing. Which everyone knows is rough as heck to put one out there like that to the public. But I get to do another round of promotions, signings and hanging out with fans for this soon to be released book.

Writing can be as wonderful as you dream it to be. One just has to put in the time.

The Musings of A New Englander