The Nonplus Adventures of a Self-publishing Writer:
Cover Shoot for “Just Us“
As a self-publishing writer I have found that I must also be a self-marketing writer. Upon completion of my scfi novel, Just Us, I now need to produce a book cover, and it’s harder than you might think.
First, I gathered a few friends and relatives that kinda, sorta matched the characters. Some were easy, like casting my huge son as the big Georgian farmer/scientist, or my good friend’s wife as the 40 something medic, but others were problematic like Cat’ticha.
In the book, this character has two different looks:
- A thirteen year old tall thin blond girl, barefoot, in a sundress.
- A tall thin blond girl in a vinyl body suit with knives and guns, like a cross between Lara Croft and an Underworld, “Death Dealer.”
She also has a third look- a bug-like humanoid alien, but fortunately for my wallet and sanity, she keeps the little girl disguise. So, in my infinite wisdom, I chose a young girl with brown hair and no leather body suit. I can find a wig but apparently, no one is turning in slick leather body suits at the local thrift store! Ah, well, might have run into hygiene issues with that.
Second, I had to find a photographer that actually knew about cameras, lighting, and laying out a picture. I have several friends that do great camera work but then they had to be willing to give up a Saturday afternoon and do it inexpensively. Fortunately, my friend, Timothy Monk stepped up! I have good friends.
Now I have to find a location. It has to be in a forest or woods, near a large lake, or by a bay, AND where we could carry guns (unloaded). Fortunately around here (NW Florida) we have several state and federal hunting area that are well wooded, though the water element may still be problematic.
I also have to help fund costumes and props, like a pair of overalls for Yancy, and a wig and sundress for Cat’ticha. Plus, a prop Recurve bow for main character Tobi and medical bag for Tilly. Tobi also has a ferret that rides along on her shoulders everywhere she goes… anyone got a ferret?
I’ll let you know how it all worked out in my next newsletter. “Just Us” should be out in November.
AD Faircloth
Pensacola, FL, 9/2014
Be sure and check out my webpage, anthonydfaircloth.com, for my other books and some online short stories.
“A writer is a schizophrenic who, after making friends with the people in his head, asks them to tell him a story.”- Anonymous
Story Spotlight
Things Left Behind by James Glass
When Lieutenant Mark Wheeler of the South Carolina Police Department arrives at a possible murder-suicide, he realizes almost immediately things are amiss. The crime scene is brutal, but upon further investigation, he unveils a sadistic killer at play who will stop at nothing to get away.
As the case unfolds and takes a few hard turns, nothing can prepare Wheeler for the gauntlet of turmoil and trouble. Relentlessly pursuing a psychopath who has flown under the radar for years Mark fights to keep control—driven to bring this monster to justice.
You can find, Things Left Behind on Amazon. And keep watch for the latest thriller by James Glass, Things Not Forgotten.”
Please let me know if you don’t want to receive my quarterly eMail updates and I will remove your name. – Tony (anthony.d.faircloth@gmail.com)