Feedback on the Book Cover For The Cursed Leviathan, GOM vol. 2

In the forum at Amazon for author's book covers I posted the following:

Posted on Mar 3, 2013 4:03:24 PM PST

Glenda Reynolds says:

I have received some input on the Goodreads forum by one person, but I'd like to have some input from other people on a cover I'm considering for my Cursed Leviathan book that I'm currently working on

http://www.goodreads.com/photo/author/6527829.Glenda_Reynolds?photo=651358
The Cursed Leviathan Book Cover

Thanks,
Glenda

mountainmama says:

Wow, Glenda - I love it! Great photo, and the black and white really seems to stand out. 

Glenda Reynolds says:

Cool. The "professional" opinion from the person at Goodreads was to make the title font larger and to go with a plainer font, not one that would attract attention to itself. The Harrington font was used on my first book for sale at Amazon: Goddess of the Moon: Mayan World of Vampires, and I wanted to continue using this font on the books that followed in this saga to unify them. He also said that I should make the ocean horizon tilt for a stress effect. I'm thinking "are you out of your mind?"

Rosanne Dingli says:

A number of points - technically, this is a better cover than the first volume. However, you have no connection between the two. If the content is related, or if they are both part of a set, series or serial, there must also be a visual connection on the covers.

You have used a very common typeface - try finding a free font that's not so commonly used. Hint: the fonts in MSWord have been used ad nauseum by the entire world. Use something else for covers ... they are your chance to show you understand a bit about design, IT, typography... if you show you don't know much, you are chasing away a large section of the market, and retaining only those who don't know or don't care. You might think it's not important but it is.
See what would happen if you remove the black bands and place the typography inside the picture using one of the colours you used in the first cover. That way, you make one visual link. I like the monochrome business on the new cover, but a touch of brilliant colour on the words only might make it sing.
You have a small clarity or focus or sharpness relationship problem happening - the figurehead is hazy, but the galleon is sharp ... yet the galleon is further away. Try for the other way around, or at least equal sharpness.

Another good way of linking volumes is by using the same typeface and you've done this, but try for a stronger link. I like the new cover much better... you are on a good thing there, so stay with it but improve it a bit.

Rick G. says:

Glenda,

It's an awesome photo, although I don't like the top and bottom title bars. This is just a general opinion of mine, but I personally think title /author bars look amateurish on any book.

Posted on Mar 3, 2013 4:43:43 PM PST

Rosanne Dingli says:

Horizons should always be horizontal - you are quite right.

Glenda Reynolds says:

Thanks, guys. I did plan on tweaking the figurehead some. I realized that she was a bit blurry. I had to paint and clone her and do a round effect on her hip. I wasn't sure about the upper and lower black banners, but I'll try it without them sometime.

Book World says:

Glenda--Wow.... great cover. I like the banding for the title and name, the stand out size of the font, the art work is just....so nice. Ialso like the unexpected dread of braids too. The texture of the art just takes it to another level and using black/gray/white makes the cover superior. In this case color would have weakened it. The font says this is a woman's book. If not, when I would suggest a more undefined gender font. But you did a great job!

Glenda Reynolds says:

Thank you for your kind words. This is only my second book ever written. Like the Twilight saga, my novels lean towards a chic book only because the heroine is a Mayan princess with fighting skills (book one); she rids her city of the vampires who have taken over. But I would like to think it can be read by anyone. This book, The Cursed Leviathan, picks up where the first one left off where the heroine is in search for her lost love at sea. And I'm able to introduce new characters, one being the lady who is the figurehead of the Cursed Leviathan.

Preparing for My First Book Signing - LinkedIn Comments

The authors at LinkedIn in the Writers and Authors Circle have given me good advise on how to prepare for a book signing. Books Alive! is being held at a local college and I am attending it on February 2, 2013. 

My favorite so far is the first one:

"All of your thoughts are good ones.Althought I don't know how you would make "eBook formats" on CD. I have gradually added things like my handouts and audio books, and just completed narrating, editing and burning my audio book. Do you have any reviews from readers yet? I didn't have a clue how to "do" my first signing either. I would recommend making sure you have at LEAST - books, business cards, bookmarks, a sheet quoting reader comments and maybe another setting out where your book is available, your contact info, blog and/or website info. I usually have many people approach my table, not buy, but want to know where they can get it. So they take a business card, bookmark or handout. A receipt book is a good idea to have on hand, but I have only used mine twice in a year. If your city requires it, you may need to post your business license. I dealt in cash for the first 9 months - until I got an iPhone and a Square card reader devise. (there are a few other good credit/debit card readers & plans). A book stand and business card holder are good to have also, although sometimes having cards spread out on the table. Don't forget to ask if the event is supplying you a table - you might have to bring your own. Don't forget a nice table cloth. A folding chair or camping chair usually works - you may be on your feet more than in your chair so wear appropriate shoes. Oh - and don't forget $ to make change - Hopefully you will get more advise from other authors. You will do GREAT!!! Just remember that this is your first signing - you will learn as you go. Don't fret if you don't have something beyond the basics. People seem to understand." 

Another good one:

"Be sure to come to the book signing with all necessary promotional materials, equipment, and supplies. Most importantly, be certain that an ample supply of books will be on hand. This may require that you purchase and bring the books yourself. You also need to have a generous supply of bookmarks, brochures, promotional photos, and other free promotional materials to hand out. You should also come with marketing materials that tell people how to order your book, should you sell out of your available copies. 

Order promotional materials and book copies in advance. If your signing is in a bookstore, make arrangements in advance for handling payment for copies you bring to the store versus those the store will have in stock. If you are selling the books yourself, make sure you have the ability to make change."

Here's one that focuses on personal appearance:

"This is an opportunity to put a face to the thousands of words your readers and potential readers can identify with. Look professional AND approachable--treat yourself to a manicure and trip to the hair salon. Take lots of pictures of the set up, you interacting with people, and you posing with readers for your website and future PR material. A vertical banner was a great investment for me. They work the old home movie screens and are compact and easy to carry (mine was 28" x 72" which retracted into the case which was 30" x 4" diameter). I found several online companies that produce these (cheapest was in Canada). Tablecloth is a must, although some venues provide a "drape" for the tables. Get a small easel or stand to prop up your book and flowering plant to add life to the table, if you have room and can carry it!"

"I brought 2 cases of books (48) but I didn't put them all out. At the end of the day I didn't want to be sitting there with stacks of books looking like nothing had sold! I usually sold about a dozen at these kinds of events, but saw an increase in sales. I also bought "Signed by the author" stickers which got people to buy books for friends." 

A Book Review From a Voracious Reader of Vampires

My local Pizza Hut lady (who runs the drive-thru on 23rd St.) gave me a great review at the Amazon Kindle store on Nov. 7th. Wow! Does this review make you want to read my book, Goddess of the Moon: Mayan World of Vampires? 

"In October I received this book as a gift from the author after I had sparked an interest in reading it. I was hooked from the first page and did not put it down until I finished every last page. I don't want 

to add any spoilers into this review, because everyone needs a chance to enjoy it for themselves.

In the past few years the same vampire story has been rehashed over and over, I'm glad this novel has changed that path. This is not a typical vampire novel and it throws us into a new world of vampire lore. At just a glance, the story takes place in a vivid and detailed vision of the Mayan Nation where of course human sacrifice is a regular occurance. Also as the readers soon find out, vampires aren't sparkling and perfect lovers, in fact they're pretty hell bent on the destruction of humanity.

This is part of a saga, and I'm excited for the next part.
I'm showing my support of the author and purchasing the kindle edition!"

My Playlist for Goddess of the Moon: Mayan World of Vampires

My favorite web site Playlist.com has been drastically changed in that you have to go to the site in order to hear music and it isn't user friendly anymore. So I made my own sample playlist/video at You Tube. These are tunes that inspired me as I wrote my ebook Goddess of the Moon: Mayan World of Vampires.  Enjoy!

This video is a short playlist of the music that inspired me while I wrote my first ebook Goddess of the Moon: Mayan World of Vampires - on sale now at the Amazon Kindle store.
1. Hard Sun - Eddie Vedder
2. How Do You Love - Collective Soul
3. War Flower - The Mayan Factor
4. Deliver Me - Sarah Brightman
5. Fight Inside - Red
6. Undone - FFH
7. Burn Back The Sun - Decypher Down (misspelled in video pic)
8. Frail - Jars of Clay
9. Eden - Sarah Brightman
10. Here to You - Decypher Down
11. Forever With You - Decypher Down
12. Blind - Jars of Clay
13. Lost - Red
14. Fading - Decypher Down
15. Never Be The Same - Red
16. Light Up The Sky - The Afters
17. Ordinary World - Red

Other music not in this video include pieces from Jazzmaster Paul Hardcastle, Yanni, Skillet and Sidewalk Prophets.

My first "free" campaign at Amazon Kindle

While I compiled my playlist and wrestled with that, I peeked a few times at the Kindle Reports and saw the number of free downloads of my book that I offered until midnight Pacific time. Last count was 294 people who have downloaded my book, but I get no royalties :( The hubby even mentioned that himself just now. I'm just thrilled that people want to read my book. I'll make it a teaser for the book to follow :)

My You Tube Trailer for Goddess of the Moon, Mayan World of Vampires

This "trailer" video for my book Goddess of the Moon conveys the story and feeling through photos and music of the novel. Enjoy.

My book covers that I designed for GOM

I finally came up with a cover for my story that I'm happy with. I'm proud to say that it is my design created with an old version of Corel Photo Paint. One of these days I may stop using it for good because the program keeps crashing on me and did so before I got Windows 7. I had to save the file many times before I was finished.

So now I can devote my time to doing a proper finish for my book, more embellishing and editing. I also changed the subtitle in order to get more hits from people who use search engines. At this point I feel very good. Now if I can just discipline myself to use my spare time to my book writing instead of watching DVDs almost every night.