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Chino sleek

Pretty Pictures: Chino (Miniature Horse)

February 2, 2013 — 5 Comments

Hey all.

So this week was the Healer’s Touch release day (the 31st). Pretty exciting times. Strange times, though. Everyone starts asking, “How are the sales going?”. My answer? “I don’t know”. I mean, I can guess, but really I have no idea. I have no way to check each and every sales channel and find out numbers and combine them to know anything… So, I don’t know.

Plus, unlike the big publishers that start getting reviews and building excitement months (sometimes a year or so) in advance, we didn’t do that. We’ve been hunting reviews in the weeks leading up to the release, but reviewers are pretty busy and some flat out won’t look at Indie Authors/Small Publishers. So, it’s a steep climb. It’s a “Hurry up and wait”… You put the book out there, and then you wait for it to take off… hopefully… (o: But you don’t sit back. You keep looking for someone to review it, and other ways to let people know it exists. That’s the big thing. No matter how good a book is, how are you going to sell it if people don’t know about it? So, each and every person who says “I read this book and it was awesome”, I love you.

Anyway, I felt like getting away from Books. I wanted to share a contrast I’ve noticed. I mean, I’ve seen this coming… Continue Reading…

In Fun facts, Images, Learning experiences, Photos, Slice-of-life
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Cover for Non-Compliance: The Sector

Author Interview: Paige Daniels

January 27, 2013 — 2 Comments

Howdy folks. Another one of these things. They’re kind of fun. And I’m just doing a few ’cause it’s that time in the lead up to release day when publicity is needed on a grand scale… like, a massive scale… and probably should have been done ages ago… oh well. I am open to the idea of more author interviews, if you’re keen. I might even pick a day of the week to do them…

Today’s Interviewee is Paige Daniels. Paige is a fellow Kristell Ink author whose book, Non-Compliance:The Sector released in November. It’s a gritty tale about a post-war America in which the citizens have, mostly, been convinced to accept having microchips inserted into the backs of their necks… for their own safety, some may believe. Others might see it as government control… and those are the people you’ll likely find in the Non-Compliance Sectors – areas where those who refuse to be chipped must fend for themselves. So, what would you choose? The cosy lifestyle and the chip? Or hard-won autonomy?

Take it away, Paige: Continue Reading…

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Happy New Year!

January 3, 2013 — 3 Comments

… and I believe it really will be!

Anyway, without further ado, here is my New Year gift to you… the eBook Cover for Healer’s Touch!

Cover art for Healer's Touch

Healer’s Touch is growing up into a REAL book

So, now seems to be the time to think back on 2012 and look forward to 2013. I think it’s pretty obvious what 2013 will bring for me. The release of Continue Reading…

In Healer's Touch (Touch #1), Images, Linkage, News, Progress Report, Touch Series , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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A Steampunk Wrist Watch by Matt Donnici

Welcome to the Team…

December 3, 2012 — 2 Comments

I would like to welcome to the Healer’s Touch team…. dun dun duuuun… Matt Donnici.

Matt is working (like, right now!) feverishly on a cover illustration for Healer’s Touch! How mega exciting is that? Yeah! Mega MEGA exciting! We’ve been discussing concepts and finer details the last couple of days, and Matt has done amazing work shaping his initial sketch into something that looks really promising. Really promising. I’m excited. Can you tell? Continue Reading…

In Healer's Touch (Touch #1), Images, Linkage, News, Progress Report, Touch Series , , , , , , , ,
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Welcome

A Welcome Screen… if I had one…

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Cover Design: Play Time

August 12, 2012 — 6 Comments
A play-time cover design idea for Healer's Touch

Mock-up cover design for “Healer’s Touch”

I decided to try my hand at putting together a mock-up cover design of my own making. I’m no qualified graphic designer by any means, but I had fun, and I quite like the results. Of course, in a year or two I may look back and wonder what I was thinking … who knows.

It doesn’t quite achieve the mood I’m after (although, it’s close), and I still have to finish the sketch of the girl – but that is taking ages on account of me having limited writing/drawing time and trying to fit both in. I think there is an “airiness” I’m missing, or something … something a little spooky, and/or sexy … But, it’s close to the image that hijacked my brain when I first read the title.

Anyway, it’s an example of what can be achieved by following instructions from GIMP tutorials.

The girl needs a little more work to complete her – more shadows to bring out the facial features and the like, a little more work on the hair, some details added to the dress, and I’m flip-flopping on the lace under-layer … It’s pretty hard to get right, so it’s very tempting to remove. But, I also quite like it … Choices, choices …

Anyway, it’s a starting point.

Anyone got any opinions?

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Young Love: Spring is on its way

August 10, 2012 — Leave a comment
Garden ornament of an elderly couple cuddling on a garden bench

Love Springs Eternal

A completely un-writerly post from me. Just thought I’d lift the mood from the trials and tribulations of writing and genetics and multiplying and such, and take a moment to notice that the daffodils are making their bid for spring garden domination. See, there’s one in this photo (centre).

I noticed them the other day when I was driving home. The lovely people who keep Dunedin city’s large grassy areas trim leave the daffodils to grow at this time of year. It might not be all neat and tidy, but it’s lovely when those yellow flowers get going.

I’m looking forward to it.

Especially the smell of the jonquil variety … that’s my fave (just so as you know …)

Oh, and the toddler has Chicken Pox. Joy. (Ah well, it’s meant to be good to get it out of the way early, right?) He’s actually doing really well. I’d like a less broken sleep, though.

For you curious folk: Photo taken on a Samsung Galaxy Ace (no, not Pro), running Android 2.3.5 and editted in GIMP manually (adding layers, editting colours, adding a frame and the like …).

The before and after versions

After and Before – ’cause I’m backwards like that

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Today’s Progress

August 1, 2012 — Leave a comment

While I ruminate over my ideas for Books 2 and 3, I continue to draw…

Progress image

Still a good chunk of detail to go. But she’s lookin’ alright.

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Today’s Project

July 31, 2012 — 1 Comment

Today I started work on an image I hope to work up to a standard that I could handle putting on my cover for “Healer’s Touch”, if a better alternative doesn’t present itself. So, rather than a bunch of words, here’s a bunch of images.

Early development image

I sketched this far in Artrage Pro

I really wanted to like ArtRage – and I do! – but I am finding GIMP preferable for this sort of work. Continue Reading…

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Okay, here’s the proof that I suck

June 15, 2012 — 10 Comments

Here … I talked about this in my last post, but wasn’t brave enough to show it.

Jonas and Llew - a cover idea

Jonas and Llew – a cover idea

Anyway, Llew nicely covers the crappily drawn right hand of Jonas, but, I don’t know … she’s looking older than I want her to, and I don’t know exactly why, or, therefore, how to fix it. If you’re an artist, give me some pointers, please? (it’s not completed, by any means … but I’m not sure that I will bother, now).

Actually, I have a new idea for a potential cover design now, anyway.

I just knew taking that screen shot from a Criminal Minds episode would (might … might not) pay off.

I realize I am meant to be putting forward a professional front here, if I want to be taken seriously as an author. But, I’m not a published author. I am not a paid digital artist. I am a practising writer and a practising illustrator. If people like what I have done to date, great. But, there’s more to come, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

So, thoughts? How old do you think Llew looks?

Also, over on Authonomy (see what I did, there? {wink}), I have been discussing openings in a forum. I’m considering doing a post on openings.

I have some questions:

What’s your favourite opening line from a novel? (or several, if you like)

Do you think blood smells, and how would you describe it (this is to help me get my latest opening right)? Of course, I may change it, yet. I like to play.

In Images, Learning experiences, Touch Series
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