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/.
Showing posts with label dingbats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dingbats. Show all posts
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Marketing - to Publishers Electronic Press Dingbats
19 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers Electronic Press Dingbats
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: Let's talk about illustrations and dingbats. First, dingbats are not your mother-in-law but they are similar to the stuff you find in fonts called variously, dingbats, wingdings, etc. Not that long ago, a scene demarcation in a novel, was indicated by a double break. This is commonly used in manuscripts and can be found in some published works. In general, to save space and to make a stronger demarcation, publishers began using three asterisks to note a double break. Today, most publishers use a dingbat to denote a double break. What is a dingbat? If you look at my novels, you will see examples. My publisher is very up on these things, they provided specially designed and chosen dingbats for each of my novels. I proposed and provided the dingbats for my Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox series--my daughter designed them (she is an excellent artist).
The main point here is that for double space breaks, you need a dingbat. The dingbat should be the same through a chapter or a novel--there is a lot of latitude here. I recommend only one per novel. The trick is that you can and should design your own. Illustrations are similar. By the way, if you don't know what a double space break is all about--keep reading this blog, I'll get to it.
What kind of dingbat will I want to use in Aksinya? That is a great question. Perhaps a scroll or a small demon. A pentegram might be the right touch. I want my daughter to make a series of about five to seven drawing for the novel. Perhaps she might draw a dingbat that really reflects the story.
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/.
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: Let's talk about illustrations and dingbats. First, dingbats are not your mother-in-law but they are similar to the stuff you find in fonts called variously, dingbats, wingdings, etc. Not that long ago, a scene demarcation in a novel, was indicated by a double break. This is commonly used in manuscripts and can be found in some published works. In general, to save space and to make a stronger demarcation, publishers began using three asterisks to note a double break. Today, most publishers use a dingbat to denote a double break. What is a dingbat? If you look at my novels, you will see examples. My publisher is very up on these things, they provided specially designed and chosen dingbats for each of my novels. I proposed and provided the dingbats for my Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox series--my daughter designed them (she is an excellent artist).
The main point here is that for double space breaks, you need a dingbat. The dingbat should be the same through a chapter or a novel--there is a lot of latitude here. I recommend only one per novel. The trick is that you can and should design your own. Illustrations are similar. By the way, if you don't know what a double space break is all about--keep reading this blog, I'll get to it.
What kind of dingbat will I want to use in Aksinya? That is a great question. Perhaps a scroll or a small demon. A pentegram might be the right touch. I want my daughter to make a series of about five to seven drawing for the novel. Perhaps she might draw a dingbat that really reflects the story.
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/.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)