Big Cover Work and Swag

Good day to you all.

Have big news for this week. First, we're (Rich and Me) narrowing down on swag items to promote SA. He made a really good suggestion that I like and has my full approval. Won't say what it might be so there's a surprise, but if everything works out, I think it will be very popular.

The second big thing is more cover work. Me and the cover team actually have some basic compositions worked out, and are now discussing what to work on with them. Nothing is set in stone (and I don't think I can post any images here), but we are getting closer to finally having a proper face for SA instead of the cover I drew for it (it's not that bad, is it?).

That's it for now. Weekly (Dis)Likes!

Like 1: Survived my Art History II final. Now I only have to attend a couple more meetings and I'll be done.

Like 2: Going skiing in Vale.

Dislike 1: Am not looking forward to getting up early to get to the airport so I can get to Vale.

Weekly Quote:

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -Thomas Jefferson

Bye,
Colleen

Writer's Tips #13

Aloha, islanders and those who live elsewhere!

Haven't heard from Rich or anyone about the cover or the story, so here's Writer's Tip, number thirteen (cross your fingers for good luck). Got the idea from Kate Kayak, who's the Head Editor at SHP.
If you're a writer under contract, don't share personal book info, write cruel reviews of other people's books, and don't respond to negative critiques about your own books.

Hopefully this type of comment doesn't fall under this, but she has a point. For all inspiring writers, don't post the following because it can damage whatever publisher you're working under and possibly break contracts doing so, not to mention it's just common sense not to post personal stuff online. It can also hurt your publisher, your book sales, and you if you're rude about other people's work, so be nice about sharing your opinions. And finally, don't respond to negative book reviews for the reason above. As I've probably said before, you can't please everyone with your writing and there's going to always be critics. The best thing you can do is ignore and keep writing to make something that they will like.

Weekly (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: Finished my Art History term paper, my poetry collaboration, and my poetry portfolio. That's one final and two big project down.

Like 2: Care package from Mom, filled with yummy non sweet snacks. Thank you!

Like 3: New season of NBC's Grimm. Love that show, and it'll be nice to actually watch it again instead on reading episode summaries (could not watch Season Two over in Scotland, and I have no time to watch them online right now because of school).  

Like 4: Spring Break is coming up, and I'm going skiing! I've been doing it since I was six, and I love it, being one of the few sports I'm actually good at.

Dislike 1: Art History II test final. Blaggggh. :P

Dislike 2: Studying for Art History II test final. Blaggggh again. :P

And quote!

SI Vis Pacem, Para Bellum. (If you want peace, prepare for war.) -Latin Proverb

Cheerio,
Colleen

Interview and Cover News

Hello readers of this lovely blog. Did you miss me?

Got some news for you all. First, my first blog interview about books and TSA is now posted! Go to http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/interview-colleen-boyd.html to read it RIGHT NOW!!!

In other news, this week, Rich the editor introduced me to Lisa, SHP's cover artist. Yep, more cover work! She gave me this author form to fill out with images and book blurbs and important symbols in the book with some other questions (Do you want Ivy/Rylan/both on the cover? Is there an iconic scene/object/location you'd like to show? Are there book covers you know of that you think are in the same vein as what you'd like for Swamp Angel?), and somehow we're going to cobble them all together into a book cover. So far we've decided with a more 'natural' cover,

'something somewhat "organic" for this book, not something overly slick or produced. A bit rough around the edges and natural... fuzzy edges, misty/foggy background, soft focus, nothing shiny...the tree, and the swamp angel, and the boy, with the swamp and the tree visible. Perhaps an alligator tail visible in the swampy water in the background.  Maybe a swamp boat,' as Rich said.

Sounds promising to me. Hopefully it'll all work together into something great and not end up like a cover you see on every other YA book. Will keep you all informed about what goes on.

Now here's the Week (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: Getting work done ahead of time. I got my final portfolio done for my poetry class (due March 16th), and my rough draft for my final paper for Art History is complete. If I don't have to rewrite much, that'll be completely done soon, which gives me time to focus on other finals.

Like 2: My dad visited me this week. Brought me a care package and my beloved Copics and colored pencils. He saw my dorm, we had dinner at my favorite restaurant here, and we went to the movies. It was a good time.

Like 3: Warm Bodies. That was the movie I saw with Dad, and I loved it. It was really good (just as the reviews promised), and now I really want to buy the book and read it.

Like 4: Skyfall. The Union Board here planned a movie night, and that's what I got to watch. Because of technical difficulties, the movie start a half hour after it was supposed to start, but it was still very good. Adele totally deserved her Oscar.

Like 5: Went to my college's play this term, The Green Bird. A little confusing in some parts, but overall everyone did a really good job, and the scenery and costumes were lovely. Very nice.

Dislike 1: Finals. Granted, I only have one test, and I'm done with most of my writing, but I got a big art project for Printmaking, and there's no doubt the test is going to scare me. Blech. :P

And quote:

            “Because we do not know when we will die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything only happens a certain number of times, and it’s a small number, really. How many times will you think of a certain afternoon of your childhood? An afternoon so deeply a part of your being you cannot conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four or five times more? Perhaps not even that. How many times will you watch the full moon rise? Perhaps twenty… and yet it all seems limitless.” -Paul Bowles

Bye-bye,
Colleen