I’m a day late checking in, but there was so much going on yesterday that I just didn’t do it. So that means I’ll also be late checking on some of the other writers. Bad sponsor! 😐
Right now, I’m struggling with the cover art for Secrets of the Wolf. My cover designer Anya Kelleye is probably about to shoot me. But I just can’t seem to be satisfied. I keep making her change little things. LOL. I’m so glad she’s got such a laid back personality. Or she would have killed me by now. I’m also waiting on one more beta reader to give me her thoughts and point out more typos. Thank you for reading, J.R. So as soon as these two things are finished, I’ll be ready to publish the second novella in the Libby Fox series. I hope it will be ready for Labor Day weekend, but you never know how long it will take for the retailers to get things going. I’ve put my first novella in the series, Dark Relic: Vampires’ Curse, in the Indie Book Blowout for the Labor Day sale, so it would be great to get the second one out there, too.
lauralynnelliott.com 
I just had my first experience with cover art-itis, and I’m sure my wunnerful team will soon be asking “Where’s my damn shotgun?” As a publishing newbie I’m completely clueless as to the cover art process. Everyone is always talking about HOW to get published, not the path to publishing heaven once a manuscript is sold. Me: Ummmm, it’s lovely, really, but she’s holding a gun. Verily, my story has no guns. Lovely, Intrepid Editor: This is concept art, not the finished product. The gun’s a placeholder. Me: Errrrmmmm . . . that means there won’t be a gun on the cover, right? Lovely, Intrepid Editor: *cocks shotgun in author’s direction*
Sounds like you have a workable plan for Getting Stuff Done–good luck!
LOL, Cate. The gun you mentioned is very funny. And the reason is because the original picture of the couple my artist used had the woman holding a gun! She very expertly removed the gun from the woman’s hand. :0)
I’m lucky that my cover artist is one of my best friends, so it makes communications a little easier.
Doesn’t mean I didn’t keep said gun from pic and holding it behind your back. Hahahahahaha!
*making raspberry sounds at you*
LOL @ both of you. I trust Nathalie Grey aka Kanaxa mightily, considering her tres impressive gallery. It’s just it’s my first cover. Yanno?
Not that I have anything against guns, mind. I’m very fond of an appropriately-placed gun. It’s just not quite the weapon of choice for the story in question. It’s much more of a sword-y tale than one of general gunness, as it were. Ahem.
I like reading about the publishing process that others are going through. It seems that most of us are taking control and finding some frustration as we go along. But imagine not having any control!
Laurel, I love the feeling of control I have of running my own business. And that’s what this is…a business. I love every aspect of it. :0)
I agree with Laurel. I’m definitely thinking about going the indie, self-pubbed route, and I’m really grateful to be able to read about everyone else’s experiences as I plot my own course. Good luck getting your cover finished!
Indie has definitely been good for me. I’m not sure how much of an advance it would take to get me to go trad. Of course, I’ll probably never have to worry about that. LOL.
I’m sure we’ll get the cover finished. She’ll get it exactly the way I want it soon. She always does.
Since joining the Indie world I have found the most satisfying aspect is being in control of every process (actually not in control of the printers! they have their own time scales ugh!) – hard work but so good
Alberta, I think all the work is worth it when you’re indie. You do have control. You’re right, you can’t control the printers, or when a retailer puts up your ebook, but it usually doesn’t take long. With traditional publishing, it could take 2 or 3 years!
When I read that author’s don’t get to choose their book covers I was really turned off by publishing anything other than indie or self. I am a very visual person and I get really annoyed when book covers don’t reflect the contents.
I understand. Sometimes cover art just has to feel right to the author. My cover artist has had to do this last one over and over because there were just little things that didn’t feel right or look right. She hasn’t killed me yet. LOL. I’m such a control freak that I want it all done my way. 🙂