QUALITY BOOK PRODUCTION

IS YOUR BOOK A THING OF BEAUTY?  The art of communication is as varied as its practitioners.  Success in your creative process usually rests on the degree of your inspiration.  For any professional, it also reflects perception of the desires of your target market. And, if you are an author, success also depends on the … Continue reading QUALITY BOOK PRODUCTION

AUDIO BOOKS 1

Audio Books and Other Recordings…  Like many authors, I write both fiction and non-fiction, in essays and articles, as well as books. In addition to Prospect for Murder (the first Natalie Seachrist Hawaiian Mystery) and the anthology Under Sonoran Skies Prose and Poetry from the High Desert,  I have periodically recorded interviews about my writing. Unfortunately, … Continue reading AUDIO BOOKS 1

BOOK PROMOTION AND EVOLVING ART

THE NEVER ENDING ART & SCIENCE OF WRITING As I examine the months since the launch of Prospect For Murder [the first book in the Natalie Seachrist Hawaiian mystery series], I realize I have not posted a blog regarding the never-ending art and science of writing for a long time.  I’ve started several, but details … Continue reading BOOK PROMOTION AND EVOLVING ART

SUCCESSFUL COVER ART

SUCCESSFUL TEAMWORK YIELDS WINNING ART! Successful cover art is the product of teamwork. In November 2018, Murder on Mokulua Drive [the second Natalie Seachrist Hawaiian mystery] won several awards. Notably, it won Second Place for Published Fiction in the 2018 Arizona Literary Excellence Contest. This was due in large part to the superb editing of … Continue reading SUCCESSFUL COVER ART

BALANCING TEXT AND SPACE

LIMITED WORDPOWER© AND DESIGN ACUMEN? Most of us have limits to our talents. Sometimes we are able to increase our skills or can hire professionals who can elevate the quality of our output. One of my continuing disappointments is that while I have a good sense of design and some computer graphic skills, I have … Continue reading BALANCING TEXT AND SPACE

WINNING LOGOS & SLOGANS…

emmas for AuthorsRich Palettes of Words & Images for Authors & Artists! While logos and slogans are usually associated with corporations, they can facilitate communication with the public and be key branding elements for any business endeavor, regardless of size or tax status.  And, yes, that includes professional writers wishing to facilitate communication with their … Continue reading WINNING LOGOS & SLOGANS…

Author Design Dilemmas 3, Color

An Author’s Inspiring Rainbows of Color How many colors are in the rainbows you paint? There are many perspectives on the use of color in the art and science of writing.  But even if I were an expert, this short space wouldn’t allow a comprehensive discussion of color theory [the traditional theory for mixing three … Continue reading Author Design Dilemmas 3, Color

Design Dilemmas 2, Fonts

Confronted By a Fantasia of Fonts? You’ve completed your research for a writing project.  You’re through composing and editing the text.  What a relief!  But if you’re in control of printing and/or publishing the finished work, you’re probably facing several decisions about its appearance.  While there are clear differences in design for hardcopy and electronic … Continue reading Design Dilemmas 2, Fonts

COLORATION FOR AUTHORS

EFFECTIVELY USING COLOR A shorter version of this blog was originally published on the Hometown Authors website on November 5th, 2019… An artist’s sense of color is normally reflected in their creations, so today’s discussion may be most appropriate to authors, especially those launching their first book or moving into a new series, genre, or … Continue reading COLORATION FOR AUTHORS

PUBLIC SPEAKING, 3

PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING ENSURES QUALITY BRANDING!  A shortened version of this third blog on using public speaking as a means for enhancing your branding identity first appeared on the website https://hometownauthors.com, which offers a variety of articles from guest authors of who are members of Hometown Reads. Before reading this blog, you may wish … Continue reading PUBLIC SPEAKING, 3

MEA CULPA

WHAT DO YOU REGRET IN PAST OR PRESENT WORK? Your book series is doing well!  This truly is an accomplishment to cherish!  What must you do to ensure your writing career continues on an upward trajectory?  Regardless of whether you have a publisher or self-publish, there are problems that can arise during the complex process … Continue reading MEA CULPA

THE AUTHOR RECYCLES

NEW CREATIONS FROM PAST WORK Is your pen at the ready at all times? In past blogs I’ve talked about examining your previous work as a writer.  Not only does this allow you to measure your progress, it also provides a pool of sources for new directions in content and style.  I am a member … Continue reading THE AUTHOR RECYCLES

ACKNOWLEDGING MENTORS

Acknowledging our mentors is a key authoring strategy! There are so many aspects to the art and science of writing that it is easy to lose focus of mechanical details while completing a project.  Empowering your words fully means having access to our mentors and technical experts for fiction as well as non-fiction.  Sometimes when … Continue reading ACKNOWLEDGING MENTORS