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Okay, so my mini-vacation lasted a bit longer than usual....sorry!!!
I can promise this much, I have been busy since returning from my fishing trip with my family, but I haven't been operating at full-speed ahead..yet. I am happy to announce the new ISBN's have been ordered for my new editions to Proud Souls. What this means is I will FINALLY release the electronic (eBook) version of Proud Souls, which will probably retail for just under $9~10 bucks and within weeks following (maybe just after or just before Thanksgiving) I will release the hardcover edition.
I am still fumbling between cover ideas for the hardcover edition. I could offer the same image cover as the trade paperback but I wanted some variety, like the major book publishers offer with their books. Below are some potential cover images for the hardcover edition. I'd love to know what you think!!!
This photo above is an actual picture of Justin's cabin sitting on Lake Kemp in Seymour, Texas. It almost gives you an identical view of what Justin is looking at each night while he drinks himself to sleep. You can see the small hill across the lake and see (at least) one small Mesquite tree by the water's edge.
Although Justin drove a 1952 Chevrolet pickup truck, this truck is very similar. Not being the truck expert, I believe this is a 1954 model. I took this photo behind an old garage that reminded me a lot of what The Hawk's Nest would have looked like prior to becoming the small town watering hole. Something about the rustic look of this old truck seemed to epitomize the attitude of Justin Bower.
Here is another angle of the same pickup truck. You can see the Texas license plate which identifies the setting of my novel.
This is a shot of the old tire shop I found in Seymour back in March of this year. Behind this tire shop is the old rusted Chevy pickup truck. Again, this garage reminded me a lot of what The Hawk's Nest may have looked like prior to becoming the town's bar.Let me know what you think of the images...and if you feel I am way off...I can get back to the drawing board...
I will be sure to notify everyone of the eBook release and also of the upcoming hardcover edition.
Be sure to catch my upcoming interviews....I will have two written interviews posted on various blogs online and one LIVE interview on a national broadcast radio station!! Stay tuned for more details!
28 comments:
Well, I really like the picture of the lake. Looking at it takes me back to when I read the book the second time. I had gone camping that weekend and was sitting and reading the book and by time I new it I got so involved in the novel. I felt like Justin would come out of the cabin we were staying in and yell at me to get the hell off his property. I did get yelled at to put the book down and start to make dinner. LOL Any ways i feel this picture can take the reader to different parts of the novel and feel there part of it. Keep up the good work!!! God Bless
I prefer the top image. It's more serene and would offer a nice backdrop for the typography of title/author.
Putting a photo of the wrong model of truck is a mistake, IMHO, and the bottom photo is simply depressing and sets a too harsh tone before the potential reader picks up the novel.
I really like the first image. It conjures up a lot of things to think about and like wickedblog.com said, it's also a nice backdrop for author/title info.
I agree, the picture of the lake is my favorite. I can almost picture myself sitting there. Good luck with the book!
MAP:
Wow! You have read my book more times than I have!!!! Kudos to you!!!
I have one other image I need to (find and) post...and its a shot of the entire front of the cabin with the sun breaking through the clouds lingering overhead. I do like the way this particular image allows the reader to see a piece of the cabin and also the lake and hill across the water...
Thanks!
Wickedblog:
You're right about the truck image. I was passing through Seymour, Texas (where Proud Souls takes place) and found that old abandoned garage and in the back was that old pickup truck. I hoped it would be the same one...but it wasn't...
I'm no photographer but the Ponce family who owns the cabin that became my hero's home, allowed me to visit again this year and take some photos. They weren't that great...but I believe that one shot of the lake & cabin might be the right fit...
Thanks for the support and feedback! Stay in touch with me!
PRIIA:
Thanks for the kudos...between these comments, the comments and emails on MySpace, Facebook & my direct email, that first image seems to be the more popular one. In being an independent author, which I love, I have the freedom of creating my books design as I envisioned it, but by not being published with a large trade publisher, it's easy to make the mistakes that can hurt a book's reputation later. That's why I always go to the experts!!! My online social network of friends and colleagues! Thanks so much!
~Bobby
Tracee:
Thanks for the feedback... I can say this much...going back to the cabin in March of this year was amazing...the whole setting seemed to have a different feel AFTER I finished the book.
Thanks for the support. Please, stay in touch!
I also like the first one, but I'd like to see the other one you mentioned with the sun peaking through the clouds. ;)
Brown Eyed Girl:
I will locate that picture and post it on this blog for people to decide. As of now, it looks like the initial choice of the people is the image of the cabin & lake...
More to come!!!
My first pick would be the lake picture. It shows the loneliness and solitude that would be represented within the book, but also the quiet reflection needed to overcome the obstacles. I personally haven't read the book yet but it sounds like a must read. Good luck!
Hey, Bobby!
I think what ever photo you choose, it will rock with the story, no matter what. I do have to agree...I like the first one, but I'll have to come back after you put the other one up, because I'm a freak for clouds..LOL.
I think 'map' is the lucky one...I want the BOOK!!! I need to stop working and get some much needed reading done. *Wink* Best of luck...not that you need it..LOL.
Have a great day and like I always say...Rock On!!!
Kristen:
Thanks for the info... Despite not having read Proud Souls you hit the nail on the head... the story opens with a desolate scene with our hero Justin sipping cheap whiskey on his cabin porch swing (which happens to be the cabin in the picture, located in Seymour, Texas on Lake Kemp). I can't say much more than that without giving the story away, but let me say...that image (or the one I am about to post) really will help put the audience in the right mental state prior to reading the story.
Kudos to you! Thanks for the feedback...be sure to stay in touch!
Robin:
Thanks for the feedback and support...as always, you are always there when I need a word of confidence.
I am about to post the ADDITIONAL picture, the one with the sun breaking through the clouds over Justin's cabin...
I hope you like it!
I have added the new picture...the one with the clouds breaking through over the cabin... Please tell me what you think...this may (or may not be) the one... Keep the comments coming!!!
I LOVE the cabin with the sun rays shining through the clouds!!! It's the battle between dark and lonely, and rays of hope and happiness. The perfect description of Justin's story.
SpicyPeanut:
Wow! I think you described the concept of that image and my story better than I could...
Thanks for the comment and the feedback... Very soon I will make my decision.
I appreciate the support very much!
Oh yeah...I agree with spicy peanut, love the name by the way. *Smile*
The clouds just rock! The cabin is just a major plus. I love this photo above all the rest.
Best of luck making your choice, you have several great shots to choose from! Can't wait to see what you end up with!!!
Rock on my friend...
Robin:
Thanks again Robin for the feedback!!!
I love visuals. So cool. The pictures are great.
AngelLesa
AngelLesa:
Thanks! I just hope the pics make the impression I am hoping for... I'm no photographer...
Thanks for the feedback!
I like all the pics, but my fav would be the newest one of the cabin and the sunrays. The lake one is nice also but I would have liked more trees like the ones you describe in the opening chapter of Proud Souls. How exciting to see Proud Souls in a hardback. Keep up the great work, Bobby.
Nancy:
Thanks for the info and support.
I may end up using both images, the one with the sun breaking through the clouds and the image with the lake shot. Whichever image I choose, I am going to use the second one as a back cover image that will bleed into the cover, so you will see the image, but not all of it. That way you can still read the text.
I appreciate everyone's support!!!
I love the pictures! They are all awesome! The one of the cabin, with the sun rays is definitely the best! It brings out the whole picture and it will give great insight to the story!!! I'm proud of you! Keep up the Great work!!!
Ashley:
Thanks for the kudos. Between the comments here and the flood of emails I have received, I am going with those two cabin/lake shots.
Very soon (and I can't wait) I will have the hardcover in my possession...
Thanks for the support!
I like the truck front although the lake view is very nice.
Thanks Jessy!
I just received my order for new ISBN numbers from the US ISBN agency...which means I can release the electronic version of Proud Souls immediately and the hardcover is NOW only waiting on me to finish the new cover design.
I can't wait! Thanks for the feedback...please stay in touch!
Hey everyone!
If any of you know of an independent artist out there--someone looking for a break to showcase their artistic abilities--please send them my way!
I am on the lookout for a new cover artist for my second book: "The Other Side of Glory."
Stay connected to my blog for more details!
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