Friday, September 27, 2013

A Quiet Exuberance


In between bouts of self-loathing I've been working away on my novel. Quietly, you know. Chopping here, slashing there, duct tape slapped over my yap to dull the screaming.

This morning, though, something miraculous happened. After a few blissfully exciting days working with graphic artist Steven Novak (aka Mr. Awesome), I OK'ed the cover.

SQUEE!

As I'm writing this I'm gritting my teeth, in a good way, and rolling my eyeballs faster than a hydro meter wheel with the hot tub running. Such is my excitement!

I heard about designer/illustrator/author Steven from author GP Ching, whose book covers I admire endlessly. They're glamourous and richly done, beautiful in every way, and they attract readers to Gen's marvellous writing. I know how important cover art is – as a retired graphic designer, I spent years making words look good. As a reader, I find myself clicking 'Buy' on Amazon based on the cover. The old adage is you can't judge a book by a cover but, in this digital world we live in, that little thumbnail means the difference between selling your book or letting it languish. Granted, if the writing inside is terrible, nothing can help you. My hope now is that my own writing is equal to Steven's work.

I'm not sure when my book is coming out. Soon. Very soon. I'd like it to be done in time for my birthday in October, a present to myself and yet another excuse to eat cake.

In the meantime, help me celebrate Steven's work! The orange is the same shade as you'll find on the Dr. Seuss classic Green Eggs & Ham, and the lovely curvaceous woman with the wild red hair is exactly who I was thinking of when I sat down to write Weezie's story. It's funny, when I was working as a graphic artist, I would CURSE the clients who weren't sure what they wanted, who made me do revision after revision after revision, and yet there I was sending Steven through the same hell! My apologies, dear Steven, and my sincerest thanks for a job well done.

The cheque is in the mail ... really, it is ...

38 comments:

  1. Cathy, that's great! And I dig the title. It smacks of your humor.

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  2. Fantastic . Hope it takes off for you and book signings are in the future .Have a good weekend ,

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    1. Thanks! Hope your weekend is awesome too... If I were you I'd make a big bonfire with all your new firewood and roast some weenies!

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  3. Love it! I worked with a designer on my ebook cover (hopefully out next month, too. Fingers crossed for both of us!) and I was anxious because I had a vague idea what I wanted but wasn't wed to it. But what he came up with was waaaaay better than anything I imagined. :)

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    1. Oh Madeline, isn't it EXCITING?? The cover is definitely the most fun part of the process, the easiest anyway, especially when you're dealing with someone who knows what they're doing... have you posted your cover yet? Must go see...

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  4. Great cover. Can't wait to read the book.

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  5. I'm not at all surprised how much you love the awesome cover.....the woman reminds me of the model in your blog illustration whose name slips my mind. Well done! I can't wait to read it!

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  6. Looking good, missy! Hope to hear (with appropriate fanfare and drum-roll!) that you've published it, very soon! Well done you, Cathy! (steps back in awe and admiration....)

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    1. Aww Sue, you're one of the sweetest people I know! Hugs from across the pond!!! ox

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  7. Sod the quiet exuberance. This calls for noisy celebrations. (As practise for the even noisier jubilation when you book comes out).

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    1. You want noisy? I GOT NOISY!!!! And I'm not even talking about my world famous farts!

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  8. It looks wonderful Cathy. Well done you! (and Stephen)

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  9. Awesome exuberance!!! Sounds like a marvellous book and I can't wait for it to come out so I can read it!!!

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  10. A cover fitting a fabulous book! Is it on Goodreads yet? Love this one.

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  11. Very nice cover. Good luck with the book! ^_^

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  12. Hi Cathy! Just wanted to stop by and thank you for visiting my blog yesterday with the Blitz Team! I was stunned and so very happy, to say the least. It couldn't have come at a better time. I've taken a look around your blog (briefly, cuz I'm still doing my thank you's) and love it. You've got yourself another follower. :) BTW, I love the book cover. Lily.

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    1. I am SO HAPPY that you enjoyed the blitz! What an awesome thing Mr. DL does! Thanks for the follow, Lily, and I do hope your health continues to improve!

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  13. Love the new site Cathy and the marvelous sailing beauty with her sick sick pooch. Then, then I got a look at your book cover. Genius!!! You must tell me the instant it's available. I want one.

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  14. A giant, happy laugh is perfect for your cover, Cathy. And I also dig the site's new look. This red layout is distinct to you and your site alone for all those I browse.

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  15. Cathy, I've been away for a while and look at you!!!! Love the cover AND the fact that you have a book coming out! Congrats, lady!

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  16. Awesome cover, Cathy. Congrats on the novel. I'm very happy for you.
    ~jon

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  17. I have NEVER seen a cover like this! Brilliant... and totally unique!
    Writer In Transit

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  18. Congratulations! All that revising paid off. That cover is fabulous!

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