Marketing - to Publishers Electronic Press Illustrations

20 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers Electronic Press Illustrations

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  Illustrations in today's novels go right along side dingbats.  The reason you can put any (black and white) dingbat you want into a published print novel is the same reason you can put almost any black and white illustration.  I learned this little fact too late for my first published novel, but I took great advantage of it for my second and to the last.  I wish I knew about this little trick before my first novel (Centurion) came out.  I have outstanding maps and illustrations I could have included that would have really helped my readers.  You can see them on the secret pages on the website addresses below.  Because most of my novels are historical fiction, maps and pictures (illustrations) can really enhance the text.

In Aegypt, my publisher encouraged me to put in illustrations.  I should have enhanced them, but at the time, I was in a hurry.  Plus, the original idea was to put these like chapter decorations that changed subtly.  My publisher wanted them bigger--which worked out well.  I haven't heard any complaints.  The point is that in novels, both print and electronic today, you can include maps, charts, illustrations and all.  Just make sure they are black and white--at least for now.
More tomorrow about illustrations in published and electronically published books.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.