Thanks guys, bringing my book to market is proving to be a bit of a learning curve,but the challenge it presents is an opportunity to be a writer. Something I've always wanted to be.
Currently I'm working on the cover typography, up to version three so far. Lots to think about and, the choices between flashy crowd pleasing typography versus a solid sense of craft that makes each book look like part of a series.
You've probably come across arguments for both. There are some readers who think "oh, this is book 2 of a series, I won't buy it, book 1 isn't here on the shelf, I'll buy something else instead". There are others who like the covers to look uniform or spot the new one in the series because it looks like the last one.
But I don't know any of these people. I don't know people who buy new books in shops, or based on the cover, at all any more. I don't know how many of them are left, or how they think.
I'm guessing one of the cover design tasks is to make the thing look reasonable at 100 pixels wide…
Looking at the books I've read recently, the last one that wasn't a personal recommendation, a continuation of a series, or part of the Hugo-Nebula Reread, was David Hambling's The Elder Ice - and I think that was an algorithmic recommendation on Goodreads.
(The usual warning applies: people who market to appeal to me are not marketing for bulk sales, to the point that "doesn't appeal to Roger" may actually be correlated with higher sales to everyone else.)
British for the Sudan
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I think my interest in the colonial period was triggered by this photograph
of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders formed up in square in a barren
stretch...
Wednesday Workbench
-
I was mightily distracted by the Brewers-Dodgers game (go Brewers!) but I
did manage to get some horses (for cossacks and Napoleonic generals), some
Fou...
Limited Progress
-
So it is now stupid o'clock in the morning. Insomnia is fun. I should be
making a determined attempt to get some sleep. Just a quick post first.
Tomorrow...
Been to Japan
-
Ginza Tokyo
I've longed wanted to travel to Japan. I dreamed of practicing aikido at
Honbu dojo. Now, I'm back from a three week long sojourn in the Land...
Playing "65" by Flying Pig Games
-
*Get '65 for $100!*
*From Flying Pig Games website [obviously] but it's here: [click] *
One of my gaming pals, Ken, suggested we give this a go. Played it ...
Pack & Coven
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Those who enjoy *Devilry Afoot *will be interested to know that author Nic
has this week released a small expansion - *Pack & Coven *- just in time
for y...
Force on Force: FUBAR in Falafel!
-
With Phil away on his annual August holibobs, Andy and I like to sneak in
some games that don't appeal to Phil, and as I started looking at what we
playe...
Game Design #118: The Advantage and Melee
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In my "haunted Forest/Medieval STALKER" world I've been investigating RPGs
for ideas (even since someone pointed out *Symbaroum* kinda covers what
I've ...
Rain, Work, and Bronko Nagurskimouse
-
About a month ago, I went down the basement to find my paint rack knocked
over onto my paint table and all of the things in various stages of build
and p...
The Miller's Tale - Episode 14
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Episode 14, in which Mike gets to have a guest back again! Yes, it's James
Morris, back again to explain how Midgard Heroic Battles has been going,
what'...
Presenting ... Bob Moss
-
When I saw this Classic Treant from the Nolzur's Marvelous Unpainted
Miniatures line by WizKids, I couldn't resist buying it. It looks like it
came strai...
Trouble on the Docks - Historicon 2025
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A Western Alliance cargo ship is coming into the port of Edmundburgh, to
deliver supplies. Eastern Socialist Republic forces must attempt a
hit-and-run a...
Salute 2025
-
OK, it's two days late but here is my photo round-up of Salute 2025. You
can also take it as proof of life, given that I haven't posted here since
last ...
Warp Speed into 2025
-
The last year has been quite challenging. I suffered a stroke in November
2023 and have spent the last year or so in recovery. I'm not there yet, but
do...
When I started writing this blog back in the day, two odd years ago (and very odd years they have been indeed, channeling Charles Gray for...
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Looks good.
ReplyDeleteThat looks great. Makes me look forward to the book even more.
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
ReplyDeleteNice !!!
ReplyDeleteCertainly piques my curiosity.
Thanks guys, bringing my book to market is proving to be a bit of a learning curve,but the challenge it presents is an opportunity to be a writer. Something I've always wanted to be.
ReplyDeleteThat looks cool!
ReplyDeleteCurrently I'm working on the cover typography, up to version three so far. Lots to think about and, the choices between flashy crowd pleasing typography versus a solid sense of craft that makes each book look like part of a series.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably come across arguments for both. There are some readers who think "oh, this is book 2 of a series, I won't buy it, book 1 isn't here on the shelf, I'll buy something else instead". There are others who like the covers to look uniform or spot the new one in the series because it looks like the last one.
DeleteBut I don't know any of these people. I don't know people who buy new books in shops, or based on the cover, at all any more. I don't know how many of them are left, or how they think.
I'm guessing one of the cover design tasks is to make the thing look reasonable at 100 pixels wide…
You know me, and I still buy books in shops, and often a book cover will attract me to read the blurb.
DeleteFair enough!
DeleteLooking at the books I've read recently, the last one that wasn't a personal recommendation, a continuation of a series, or part of the Hugo-Nebula Reread, was David Hambling's The Elder Ice - and I think that was an algorithmic recommendation on Goodreads.
(The usual warning applies: people who market to appeal to me are not marketing for bulk sales, to the point that "doesn't appeal to Roger" may actually be correlated with higher sales to everyone else.)
I bought and read The Elder Ice after reading your review, and I suspect it's not the sort of book one would find in Forbidden Planet.
Delete