Hope the fact that you're putting out rebroadcasts of other podcasts, and old episodes of your own means you're hard at work getting the next book out! (Not that I have anything against you rebroadcasting episodes of other people's podcasts... ahem.)
Yes, sir it does, and I am actually scraping the bottom of the barrel right now. Just about to his record, rant about Twitter, and hope it brings value to the writer community. 8Ball Magic is with my trusted reader as we speak, awaiting edits.
1. The treadmill is really cool - I don't know comps, so I can't comment about that particular one. But the concept? Really nice. Especially for someone who stands all the time. Great way to use your time to also exercise.
2. I'm in a crisis over my literary journey, too, so I get where you're coming from in the opener. There are so many things in my head. Things that make it hard to get to sleep. Things that woke me up before 4 am this morning and made it impossible to fall back asleep. Things that strike such potent doubt in me, I almost started the day quitting my whole writing life. Seriously. I feel so freakin' lost.
3. Last, the new book cover. Pros? It's good color. Visually discernible. "Accessible." Easy to look at. Those are good things. Advantages in an aesthetic culture.
Cons? Well, to be honest, it tells me nothing.
There are certain visuals that are a constant with this book. Namely, three: a hoagie; cigarettes; Magdalene. To incorporate those "props" (you know what I mean) into the visual in a compelling way, without hitting the prospective reader over the head, might be the sweet spot. Perhaps a variation on the new cover with a window of not too big size, with a wisp of ascending smoke or cigarette in an ashtray next to a hoagie and a drink? I dunno. Something that gives the cover some personality. Or, more specifically, "tells" your story in a subtle way.
Others may disagree. You may, too. I'm not trusting my judgment much today. But that's my take.
4. Loved the interview and seeing you on the other side of the mic. And, of course, Christopher is so funny. You two play off each other well. Very entertaining.
Yeah, I am aligned with you in the searching for the path and feeling a bit blind right now. You don't need me to remind you to keep fighting the good fight. You (and I) will break through. But these days feel so long, right now.
As for the book covers, J.A. Jance populates 3 of the top 10 spots on Amazon, and me and my graphic designer, A.J., ripped her design off shamelessly. Two days into the test, I've sold 0 books, so I may have the opportunity to return to the covers I love anyway, but I don't want to cheat with confirmation bias, so I'm going to pretend I love the new covers and give it everything I've got to make the ad and the sales page synergize and speak to the audience.
I like the other cover better. However, I think you might capture a different audience with the alternate. Maybe you could release the alternate with a foreword or an introduction discussing the manifestation of the book or a particular scene. I don't know. I need coffee.
P.S. I ordered a paperback of 9 Lives. In case you do personalization based off the billing info, please use Rich rather than Richard.
BTW, I realized I don't have a signed copy of Seven-Figure because I optimistically had ordered it through the KS. Any chance you'll be doing paperbacks of that book on your site?
Hope the fact that you're putting out rebroadcasts of other podcasts, and old episodes of your own means you're hard at work getting the next book out! (Not that I have anything against you rebroadcasting episodes of other people's podcasts... ahem.)
Yes, sir it does, and I am actually scraping the bottom of the barrel right now. Just about to his record, rant about Twitter, and hope it brings value to the writer community. 8Ball Magic is with my trusted reader as we speak, awaiting edits.
Okay, so...
1. The treadmill is really cool - I don't know comps, so I can't comment about that particular one. But the concept? Really nice. Especially for someone who stands all the time. Great way to use your time to also exercise.
2. I'm in a crisis over my literary journey, too, so I get where you're coming from in the opener. There are so many things in my head. Things that make it hard to get to sleep. Things that woke me up before 4 am this morning and made it impossible to fall back asleep. Things that strike such potent doubt in me, I almost started the day quitting my whole writing life. Seriously. I feel so freakin' lost.
3. Last, the new book cover. Pros? It's good color. Visually discernible. "Accessible." Easy to look at. Those are good things. Advantages in an aesthetic culture.
Cons? Well, to be honest, it tells me nothing.
There are certain visuals that are a constant with this book. Namely, three: a hoagie; cigarettes; Magdalene. To incorporate those "props" (you know what I mean) into the visual in a compelling way, without hitting the prospective reader over the head, might be the sweet spot. Perhaps a variation on the new cover with a window of not too big size, with a wisp of ascending smoke or cigarette in an ashtray next to a hoagie and a drink? I dunno. Something that gives the cover some personality. Or, more specifically, "tells" your story in a subtle way.
Others may disagree. You may, too. I'm not trusting my judgment much today. But that's my take.
4. Loved the interview and seeing you on the other side of the mic. And, of course, Christopher is so funny. You two play off each other well. Very entertaining.
Yeah, I am aligned with you in the searching for the path and feeling a bit blind right now. You don't need me to remind you to keep fighting the good fight. You (and I) will break through. But these days feel so long, right now.
As for the book covers, J.A. Jance populates 3 of the top 10 spots on Amazon, and me and my graphic designer, A.J., ripped her design off shamelessly. Two days into the test, I've sold 0 books, so I may have the opportunity to return to the covers I love anyway, but I don't want to cheat with confirmation bias, so I'm going to pretend I love the new covers and give it everything I've got to make the ad and the sales page synergize and speak to the audience.
I like the other cover better. However, I think you might capture a different audience with the alternate. Maybe you could release the alternate with a foreword or an introduction discussing the manifestation of the book or a particular scene. I don't know. I need coffee.
Thank you! I appreciate your feedback! Go get that coffee. 🙂
P.S. I ordered a paperback of 9 Lives. In case you do personalization based off the billing info, please use Rich rather than Richard.
BTW, I realized I don't have a signed copy of Seven-Figure because I optimistically had ordered it through the KS. Any chance you'll be doing paperbacks of that book on your site?