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

Writer's Tip #12

I'm starting to run out of ways to say hi. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Anyway, hope all my readers are doing well. No news from SHP, so you know what that means. It's a Writer's Tip!

When it comes to signing contracts, whether with an agent or a publishing company, DO read the fine print. You don't want to sign a contract and find yourself stuck in an agreement with no way out. Not that I know of this. When I got the contract with Leticia and Spencer Hill Press, I read over it, but I also sent my mother and father a copy so they could look over it as well. To me, it looked like an ordinary contract, but with their intervention they helped me understand it better than I first did with stuff like pay rate and publishing rights and who owned what and who had right of property and stuff. So if you ever get to the point when your writing getting published and you need to sign something, read over it and don't be afraid to ask questions or other for advice.

Weekly (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: 'The Lightning Strikes' by Snow Patrol. Long song, but it is so good, the first part especially. Want to listen to it over and over.

Like 2: Got the rough draft of my Art History II mid term paper done. Will fix it up once the teacher sends feedback back, and that'll be one less final to worry about.

Like 3: Naps. Do I have to explain this one?

Like 4: Snow. So white and fluffy. Wish I could play in it, but don't have the time or the snow pants.

Dislike 1: cutting my fingers up. We're doing relief prints in Printmaking now, and I've cut my fingers a couple of times. Nothing bad, but still hurts.

And quote.

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." – Albert Pike

Bye bye,
Colleen

Agent News

Good day, mates! How are you? Hope every had a happy Valentine's Day.

Not much happening, again. I haven't received any news back about SA or to anything pertaining it, but my fabulous agent Leticia Gomez is doing pretty well:

"I am pleased to announce that I recently formed a joint venture with top CEO and Executive branding firm Ascendant Group (www.ascendantgroupbranding.com) to offer an even greater level of support to aspiring authors.

In partnership with Ascendant, Savvy Literary now offers not only representation but expert help for authors still looking to develop their idea, increase their platform, or have a professional book proposal developed for them. As the newly appointed Director of Ascendant Publishing in association with CEO of Ascendant Group, Raoul Davis, one of the best brand marketing experts in the country, together, we are able to provide exceptional brand marketing, publishing consultant, and literary representation services guaranteed to increase an aspiring author's platform via national media, social media, and other vehicles that drive the decisions for so many of the best publishers."

Good for her. Leticia is a nice lady, and she deserved something like this with all the hard work she does for me and her other clients. Who knows? Maybe this new business deal will help out the other book manuscripts I'll send in to Leticia. :)

Weekly (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: Tumblr. I have recently discovered it, and I LOVE it!

Like 2: The Valentine's Day ecard my mom sent me. Cupid chimpanzee!

Like 3: Deciding my classes for next term. Met with my advisor and talked it over. I'll tell you what's what when it's certain.

Dislike 1: My art analysis paper. It's not due until the end of term, but I feel like it's a ghost haunting me.

And quote!

Life asked Death, "Why do people love me but hate you?" Death responded, "Because you are the Beautiful Lie and I am the Painful Truth.” -Neil Gaiman

Bye,
Colleen

New Interview Time

Hi kiddies!
I'm late, and I'm sorry. Blame the midterm paper I had to write for my Art History class. But now it's done, and I can talk to you all again.

Anyway, I have a little news to share. Remember Megan McDade and how I did an interview for her blog Reading Away the Days? It was supposed to be posted on January 17th, but it wasn't, and I recently found out why. Apparently she was gone from her computer for a long period of time, but now she's back and ready to post. It'll be up February 27th here http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.com, so check it out when it's up.


Other than that, not much else. Anyone got any ideas for swag items? I'm still having a hard time coming up with stuff.

Weekly (Dis)Likes:

Like 1: got a B+ on my Art History midterm test (yes, on top of the paper there was also a test).

Like 2: the printing project I'm doing for my Printmaking class. Basically a giant wooden puzzle that we paint different colors and press.

Like 3: finishing my Art History midterm paper.

Like 4: the current poem I'm working on.

Like 5: no class on Friday.

And quote!

--> "I can only promise you two things. One, I will always look this good. And two, I will never give up on you. Ever." -Hellboy, Hellboy

Bye,
Colleen

Update

Hello readers (and I'm starting to run out of creative greetings). So it's a couple of days; blame my Art History exam which I needed to study for. Took that today, though, so I'm free now!

Got writing news this time! It's nothing too big. Basically Rich the editor saying how he's been busy with other Spencer Hill Press work, but SA is going along fine. He also reported that he sent the book's current draft to their foreign/film rights person: I do not know what that means exactly, but I think it's basically seeing if other countries want to publish it or make it into a movie. Rich also talked about SA swag - promotion items for the book, like pocket mirrors and guitar picks - and how we need to start thinking about that. I know I what to do bookmarks, but other than that, I don't know what object to make. I do know I want to incorporate an ivy leaf motif, and I've ask Rich for item suggestions, so hopefully this will all work out.

And Weekly (Dis)Likes!

Like 1: getting my midterm out of the way. Freedom!

Like 2: the Art department trip. Had a lot of fun at the Art Institute. Did my painting analysis for Art history, saw good art, browsed shops and city-walked. A much needed break.

Dislike 1: taking my midterm. Like I need to explain that.

And Weekly Quote!

"Fall seven times, stand up eight."
-Japanese proverb

Cheers,

Colleen