Tag Archives: new book cover

June 8, 2022 · 12:28 pm

Infinitas Publishing – Status Report

We just got back from traveling, and it occurred to me that June is here and I haven’t yet posted the next Infinitas Publishing Status Report. So here it is! 🙂

I’ve highlighted the projects that had changes in blue.

* * *

Starless Night: (Book 3 of the Distant Horizon series). I need to finish inputting proofreading notes into the manuscript and then format the print edition.

Changing Tides: (Book 4 of the Distant Horizon series). On hold while working on Deceived 2.

The Glitch Saga (Distant Horizon spin-off series): Goal is to create a new cover and print edition for the complete collection edition. (On hold).

Deceived #2 – (Distant Horizon spin-off series): I’ve input most of my proofreading notes into the manuscript, and still need to examine a couple scenes where I found pacing issues. After that I’ll hand it to Isaac, but there may be a little while before he’ll have time to look at this, since he’s busy preparing his dissertation.

I still need to announce the title for Deceived #2, and create the book cover.

After this, my next step is to continue revisions on Deceived #3.

Future Goals: Add Isaac’s notes from Deceived #5 (formerly #4) into the manuscript, revise Deceived #5, and revise #6 (formerly #5) before handing it to Isaac for his feedback.

SBibb - Initiated Cover WIPInitiated (Erin’s Story – a Deceived prequel): I’ve input the beta-reader’s feedback, did the read-aloud with Isaac, and finalized the formatting.

Initiated has been sent to newsletter subscribers! 😀

Next up I’m going to be updating all the mailing list info to use Initiated as the magnet instead of Deceived, including on the websites, as well as on the front and back matter of related books.

It’s currently a newsletter exclusive, but I did create a Goodreads page for it for anyone who wanted to mark it as read or to-read.

Lily’s Story: (Distant Horizon series spin-off/prequel novel) On hold. (Has outline).

Sky Runner: (Multiverse novel). On hold. (Has outline)

The Multiverse Chronicles: On hold. (Needs edits).

Little One: On hold. (Needs revisions).

TWB 4: (Book Four of The Wishing Blade series). Needs rough draft written. Needs updated outline. On hold.

Runes and Ravens (Stone and String 3): Needs outlining and revision. On hold.

The Secret in the Shadows: (Prequel novella for The Wishing Blade) On hold. Needs the rest of Isaac’s notes input into the manuscript.

Wishing Blade Prequel (Prequel novella for The Wishing Blade): On hold while working on Initiated. My next step is to write the rough draft of the new scenes and begin revising the original scenes to match the updated outline.

Once complete, this is intended to be a newsletter-exclusive story.

The Legends of Cirena – Collaborative Adventure Facebook Group: On hiatus.

The Dark Forest of Aneth (“Ro’nor (“The Restless Sands of Neel”) & Zynia (“The Dragons of the Mist”) cross-over / A Legends of Cirena short novel): On hold.

Goals: Rough draft needs completed via the Collaborative Adventure Facebook group, and there are a couple scenes I’d like to add earlier in the story. I already have a book cover concept, which still needs to be completed.

The Wind Mage and the Wolf (“Livena (The Wind Mage of Maijev”) & Nuaka (“The Gryphon and the Mountain Bear”) cross-over / A Legends of Cirena short novel) : The Joran short story project is on hold.

Legends of Cirena Epic: Outlining on hold. Map of Litkanston on hold. This is intended to be a back-burner project. 

“MOG”: On hold. (Needs revisions)

SBibb - Huntress Book CoverHuntress: (Huntress #1) I listed this as 99 cents the month of June as part of Pride month. 🏳️‍🌈😁

Also, if you’re looking for more queer fantasy and scifi ebooks, check out this ebook fair (prices and retailer-availability vary). 

Changeling: (Huntress #2) Print edition on hold. Needs back matter and front matter adjusted.

Huntress 3: Needs rough draft completed. (Currently at 25,000 words) On hold.

Game Design: On hold.

Future plans in game design involve: possibly preparing a print-and-play version of Battle Decks, polishing the elemental game card art and testing mechanics, and looking into options for feasibly producing Phalanx.

Space Adventure Comic: On hold.

Villain Problems: (WIP panels viewable on my Instagram). On hold.

Emberverse (Working Title):  Revisions on hold. Needs title. Needs outline for “Season 2.”

Marketing: No paid ads this month aside from a couple Amazon drip ads, though I did get a free boost in one of the newsletters (that was a nice surprise). I participated in a couple BookFunnel Promos, but I fell behind on the daily Twitter post due to traveling and preparing to travel.

I still need to schedule this month’s (bi)weekly promo highlights.

Other future marketing goals: Add a progress tracker somewhere for the different books. Test Draft2Digital for wide print distribution, test mailing list automations, revise Amazon ads, link to my pinterest account on the Infinitas Publishing website, overhaul book categories and keywords, and do the usual business ledger upkeep.

LitRPG / GameLit Story: On hold. (Needs revisions and restructuring).

Other Stories: The YA SciFi Alien Invasion/Dystopian Conspiracy short story revisions are on hold. Comic script (“If I Had Asked”) on hold.

Untitled Fantasy Story: On hold. Next step is to review and adjust the first book’s outline, and then adjust book two’s outline.

SBibb’s Photographic Illustration: Future Goals: Update the Infinitas Publishing website banner. Figure out a schedule for uploading general art projects.

Daz PA: My SBibb Magic at Their Fingertips Props and Poses set has finally released! 😁

SBibb Magic at Their Fingertips Promo Image

This one took a while to finalize due to issues switching between Daz Studio 4.15 and Daz Studio 4.20, as well as adding the wispiness to the ribbons, but I’m really happy with the results.  

My current project is a pose set I’m getting ready to finalize (that I can’t talk about the details for yet), and my next step is finalizing my surprise/fear-themed pose set (polishing the art promos, creating the clay render promos, and setting up the submission page).

After that, I’m debating making an illuminated geoshell makeup set, or creating another Diverse World character head morphs set.

*

😀

* * *

Happy writing and reading (Or 3D rendering if you’re into Daz)! 🙂

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May 9, 2022 · 7:50 am

Infinitas Publishing – Status Report

Now that April has swung by and May is here, it’s time for another Infinitas Publishing Status Report! 😀

I’ve highlighted the projects that had changes in blue.

* * *

Starless Night: (Book 3 of the Distant Horizon series). I need to finish inputting proofreading notes into the manuscript and then format the print edition.

Changing Tides: (Book 4 of the Distant Horizon series). On hold while working on Deceived 2.

The Glitch Saga (Distant Horizon spin-off series): Goal is to create a new cover and print edition for the complete collection edition. (On hold).

Deceived #2 – (Distant Horizon spin-off series): I’ve done a small run of Deceived #2 through ProWritingAid, and printed it out for proofing and pacing. I’ve finished my initial proofreading notes, and I’m now in the process of inputting those notes into the manuscript. I found a few pacing issues I want to correct before handing it back to Isaac. I also updated the Amazon categories for the series, but still need to check the categories on other retailers.

I do have a title for this, but it hasn’t been announced yet. (Keep an eye out for that announcement!)

After this, my next step is to create the cover for this book, then continue revisions on Deceived #3.

Future Goals: Add Isaac’s notes from Deceived #5 (formerly #4) into the manuscript, revise Deceived #5, and revise #6 (formerly #5) before handing it to Isaac for his feedback.

Initiated (Erin’s Story – a Deceived prequel): Isaac has finished reading through Initiated, I’ve applied those edits, printed it out for proofreading and pacing, input those notes, and sent it out to beta-readers! I’ve recently gotten their feedback back, so I need to gather that and begin making any edits.

Next step will be to do a read-aloud, and any final formatting tweaks.

Then it will be time to release it to newsletter subscribers (Distant Horizon Universe newsletter)! 😀

After that I’ll be updating any information relating to the newsletter freebie for joining the newsletter (website, book back matter, etc).

In the meantime, I’ve created a cover for Initiated (there may still be a few small tweaks):

SBibb - Initiated Cover WIP

Lily’s Story: (Distant Horizon series spin-off/prequel novel) On hold. (Has outline).

Sky Runner: (Multiverse novel). On hold. (Has outline)

The Multiverse Chronicles: On hold. (Needs edits).

Little One: On hold. (Needs revisions).

TWB 4: (Book Four of The Wishing Blade series). Needs rough draft written. Needs updated outline. On hold.

Runes and Ravens (Stone and String 3): Needs outlining and revision. On hold.

The Secret in the Shadows: (Prequel novella for The Wishing Blade) On hold. Needs the rest of Isaac’s notes input into the manuscript.

Wishing Blade Prequel (Prequel novella for The Wishing Blade): I currently have 12,000 words written. I completed my initial draft, but wasn’t satisfied with the conflict. I ended up writing the scenes onto index cards, shuffling them around, dropping one scene, and adding in several others. My next step is to write the rough draft of the new scenes and begin revising the original scenes to match the updated outline.

Once complete, this is intended to be a newsletter-exclusive story.

The Legends of Cirena – Collaborative Adventure Facebook Group: On hiatus.

The Dark Forest of Aneth (“Ro’nor (“The Restless Sands of Neel”) & Zynia (“The Dragons of the Mist”) cross-over / A Legends of Cirena short novel): On hold.

Goals: Rough draft needs completed via the Collaborative Adventure Facebook group, and there are a couple scenes I’d like to add earlier in the story. I already have a book cover concept, which still needs to be completed.

The Wind Mage and the Wolf (“Livena (The Wind Mage of Maijev”) & Nuaka (“The Gryphon and the Mountain Bear”) cross-over / A Legends of Cirena short novel) : The Joran short story project is on hold.

Legends of Cirena Epic: I started jotting down a short story idea for a Litkanston character. Not sure if this will go anywhere or not.

Outlining on hold. Map of Litkanston on hold. This is intended to be a back-burner project. 

“MOG”: On hold. (Needs revisions)

Changeling: (Huntress #2) Print edition on hold. Needs back matter and front matter adjusted.

Huntress 3: Needs rough draft completed. (Currently at 25,000 words) On hold.

Game Design: On hold.

Future plans in game design involve: possibly preparing a print-and-play version of Battle Decks, polishing the elemental game card art and testing mechanics, and looking into options for feasibly producing Phalanx.

Space Adventure Comic: On hold.

Villain Problems: (WIP panels viewable on my Instagram). On hold.

Emberverse (Working Title):  Revisions on hold. Needs title. Needs outline for “Season 2.”

Marketing: Again, no paid ads this month aside from a couple Amazon drip ads. I did participate in a couple BookFunnel Promos, and mostly kept up with having a daily Twitter post.

I did get last month’s Weekly Promo Highlights scheduled, and got the ones for this month scheduled.

Isaac and I also participated in two book signings at the local comic book shop, Black Ice Comics & Books, for Independent Bookstore Day and Free Comic Book Day. We stuck to showcasing our books this time, and for the latter we created a mini zine with a few behind the scenes notes and art for the Wishing Blade Universe. These were based on images we’ve showcased in the newsletter.

Independent Bookstore Day:

Isaac and Stephanie at Black Ice Comics Book Signing

Free Comic Book Day:

Isaac and Stephanie at Black Ice Comics Book Signing

Stephanie and Gray at Black Ice Comics Book Signing

We shared a table with Aleksi (Gray) for Free Comic Book Day. If you enjoy queer fantasy comics and coloring books, check out their work: https://linktr.ee/alakotila Fell Swoop is a sweet queer romance that has an absolutely adorable giant jumping spider I happen to adore, and I love their Enchanted coloring book. The art make me happy. 😀

 

Other future marketing goals: Test Draft2Digital for wide print distribution, test mailing list automations, revise Amazon ads, link to my pinterest account on the Infinitas Publishing website, overhaul book categories and keywords, and do the usual business ledger upkeep.

LitRPG / GameLit Story: On hold. (Needs revisions and restructuring).

Other Stories: The YA SciFi Alien Invasion/Dystopian Conspiracy short story revisions are on hold. Comic script (“If I Had Asked”) on hold.

Untitled Fantasy Story: On hold. Next step is to review and adjust the first book’s outline, and then adjust book two’s outline.

SBibb’s Photographic Illustration: Future Goals: Update the Infinitas Publishing website banner. Figure out a schedule for uploading general art projects.

Daz PA: This was largely on hold while I worked on the Newsletter Ninja Cookie Challenge, but I did finally get it updated. I ran into a snag on my current project due to changes in how luminosity is handled between Daz Studio 4.15 and Daz Studio 4.20, which, in combination with a mistake in how I saved the previous prop file, meant that I needed to rerun the renders (that I had already rerun to include the new wisps aspect). It has now been resubmitted, accepted, and waiting for a release date. 😀

The next step is finalizing my surprise/fear-themed pose set (polishing the art promos, creating the clay render promos, and setting up the submission page).

After that, I’m working on a separate pose project that I can’t release details about just yet, and then I’m debating making an illuminated geoshell makeup set, or creating another Diverse World character head morphs set.

*

😀

* * *

Happy writing and reading (Or 3D rendering if you’re into Daz)! 🙂

Leave a comment

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April 26, 2022 · 9:54 am

Deceived Cover Remake

📚 Today I’m taking a look into how I redid the cover for the first book in the Deceived series (formerly called Galina’s Saga).

Part of the process for the 🍪 Newsletter Ninja Cookie Challenge I just completed was to get a cover for your cookie (a cookie is a reader magnet for your newsletter).

If you already had a series started, you could provide the cover artists with example covers you already had. If you were starting a new series, a worksheet (blerksheet, for those of you familiar with Newsletter Ninja) was provided to help you figure out which genre conventions to include.

I chose to do my own covers rather than hiring an artist (since I already generally do my own covers).

Additionally, I wanted to redo the cover design for the whole series before figuring out what the cookie’s cover would look like.

This is my process for redoing that cover art, based in part on the process from the Cookie Challenge’s worksheet.

Deceived has been through three cover styles at this point:

Deceived - Book Cover
SBibb - Deceived Cover V2 - Kindle Edition
SBibb - Deceived Cover WIP3

While I like all of them, I wanted to really lean into the YA scifi dystopian aspect.

The first cover sort of leans the right direction, but doesn’t really have a good focal point. The second cover is true to the story and showcases the superpowers aspect, but doesn’t quite fit with genre trends.

This is my most recent version:

SBibb - Deceived Cover WIP3

To create this, I narrowed down a Pinterest board of books in the YA dystopian genre, specifically those where it didn’t look like romance was the main plot (because dystopian romance has a different cover scheme).

This is the Pinterest board I created:

https://www.pinterest.com/stephanieflintauthor/ya-dystopian-cover-inspiration-non-romantic/

Now, in theory, I should probably be focusing on indie published books, since I’m also an indie author.

However, I chose to include both self-published and traditionally published covers, searched from both from Amazon and from Kobo.

Additionally, while the worksheet originally suggested aiming for the top 100 from Amazon, I didn’t restrict my search specifically to that. Reason being that I wanted to niche down further into non-romantic dystopia (a lot of the top 100 on Amazon were either dystopian romance, post-apocalyptic, or set in space, which has a different look).

Since my strategy is going wide rather than in KU, I figured it might not hurt to choose from a wider sampling. (Testing and time will tell if this was a bad idea).

From that research, I marked all the various commonalities I could see, and how many covers those traits appeared on.

From that list, I determined that the most common elements I wanted to focus on were:

* Blue/White Combo
* Bold Font
* Sans Serif Font
* White Font
* Plain/Simple-ish background (usually with gradient or vignette)
* Grunge/Broken texture of some sort
* Title in Middle
* Large Symbol
* Horizon or City Visible
 

Ultimately, I chose to go with a white gold title instead of white, because I wanted it to look a different from the Divergent and Steelheart covers (which I wanted to lean toward since I think those are the closer matches for target readers), and I figured the gold would work well to harken to the yellow/orange splash found on a few of the other covers.

I didn’t go with a specific symbol, like I initially wanted, because the story didn’t lend itself to one.

After feedback from Tammi (course instructor), and other students in the Cookie Challenge course, I added a bit more interaction between the title and the cover (more water splash/glass breakage), and tinkered with the gradient. I also made the author names bigger so they’d be more likely to be visible at thumbnail size.


This is the final result:

SBibb - Deceived Cover WIP3

I hope you enjoyed this look at my cover design process! 😀

🌊 Want to read Deceived?

Purchase your copy at:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Note: Deceived is currently available for free to newsletter subscribers, though that will change once the prequel is released.

Subscribe to the Distant Horizon Universe Newsletter at: https://infinitaspublishing.com/

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Looking for more information about cookies/reader magnets?

I’d definitely recommend Tammi Labrecque’s book:

Newsletter Ninja 2: If You Give A Reader A Cookie

🍪 https://newsletterninja.net/newsletter-ninja-2-if-you-give-a-reader-a-cookie/

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April 7, 2022 · 12:44 pm

Infinitas Publishing – Status Report

With March over (and super busy given that this also held Spring Break), and April now here, it’s time for another Infinitas Publishing Status Report! 😀

I’ve highlighted the projects that had changes in blue.

* * *

Starless Night: (Book 3 of the Distant Horizon series). I’ve started inputting the proofreading notes into the manuscript for the print edition.

Changing Tides: (Book 4 of the Distant Horizon series). On hold while working on Deceived 2.

The Glitch Saga (Distant Horizon spin-off series): Goal is to create a new cover and print edition for the complete collection edition. (On hold).

Galina’s Saga (Deceived) – (Distant Horizon spin-off series): I’ve finally chosen to call the series Deceived, after the first book, which falls in line with what similar books in the genre do.

I’ve finished the read through of Deceived #2, and I’m now running it through ProWritingAid. Almost done with that, and then it goes back to Isaac for his feedback. After that, beta-readers.

Additionally… I think I’m done with the updated cover! Here is the current version, though I may still make a few tweaks before calling it complete. I have gone ahead and uploaded it to the various online retailers.

SBibb - Deceived Cover WIP3

Future Goals: Add Isaac’s notes from Deceived #5 (formerly #4) into the manuscript, revise Deceived #5, and revise #6 (formerly #5) before handing it to Isaac for his feedback.

Erin’s Story (Deceived Prequel): This was something of an unplanned project, because I decided to take Tammi Lebrecque’s “Cookie Challenge” course. This is a reader magnet from Erin’s point of view, and currently clocks in at 11,000 words. Short story! This one has been drafted, revised, given to Isaac for feedback, revised again, and run through ProWritingAid. It’s now back in Isaac’s hands.

Next up, creating a cover for it, based on the new Deceived cover.

I plan to make the ebook a newsletter-exclusive story, at least for a while, which will be free to newsletter subscribers. I may make a print edition as well, but I’m not sure about that yet.

Lily’s Story: (Distant Horizon series spin-off/prequel novel) On hold. (Has outline).

Sky Runner: (Multiverse novel). On hold. (Has outline)

The Multiverse Chronicles: On hold. (Needs edits).

Little One: On hold. (Needs revisions).

TWB 4: (Book Four of The Wishing Blade series). Needs rough draft written. Needs updated outline. On hold.

Runes and Ravens (Stone and String 3): Needs outlining and revision. On hold.

The Secret in the Shadows: (Prequel novella for The Wishing Blade) I’ve started inputting Isaac’s notes into the manuscript, though this is still a back-burner project.

Wishing Blade Prequel (Prequel novella for The Wishing Blade): This is a short story I’m working on as a newsletter reader magnet for the Wishing Blade series, as part of the Cookie Challenge course I’m taking. This one has been partly outlined and is currently about 5,500 words into the rough draft. It will be primarily from Shevanlagiy’s point of view, in the days leading up to the Stealing. There may be a few scenes from Toranih’s point of view as well.

Like the Deceived prequel, this is intended to be a newsletter-exclusive story.

The Legends of Cirena – Collaborative Adventure Facebook Group: On hiatus.

The Dark Forest of Aneth (“Ro’nor (“The Restless Sands of Neel”) & Zynia (“The Dragons of the Mist”) cross-over / A Legends of Cirena short novel): On hold.

Goals: Rough draft needs completed via the Collaborative Adventure Facebook group, and there are a couple scenes I’d like to add earlier in the story. I already have a book cover concept, which still needs to be completed.

The Wind Mage and the Wolf (“Livena (The Wind Mage of Maijev”) & Nuaka (“The Gryphon and the Mountain Bear”) cross-over / A Legends of Cirena short novel) : The Joran short story project is on hold.

Legends of Cirena Epic: Outlining on hold. Map of Litkanston on hold. This is intended to be a back-burner project. 

“MOG”: On hold. (Needs revisions)

Changeling: (Huntress #2) Print edition on hold. Needs back matter and front matter adjusted.

Huntress 3: Needs rough draft completed. (Currently at 25,000 words) On hold.

Game Design: On hold.

Future plans in game design involve: possibly preparing a print-and-play version of Battle Decks, polishing the elemental game card art and testing mechanics, and looking into options for feasibly producing Phalanx.

Space Adventure Comic: On hold.

Villain Problems: (WIP panels viewable on my Instagram). On hold.

Emberverse (Working Title):  Revisions on hold. Needs title. Needs outline for “Season 2.”

Marketing: No paid ads this month aside from a few Amazon drip ads (that I’d admittedly forgot where still running, since they don’t usually get impressions), though I participated in the usual BookFunnel Promos. I didn’t keep up with Twitter as much as I would have liked, but I plan to jump back into my daily posts in the coming month. The Smashwords sale didn’t really see much traction for me, though I only advertised it to my newsletter list and once on Twitter. I did give away a few free copies of The Cursed Halls of Kalecen.

Next month I plan to test some new Amazon drip ads designed specifically around Deceived’s new cover. Unless they take off and do really well, I don’t plan to put a lot of emphasis on those.

I still need to schedule this month’s Weekly Promo Highlights.

I finally finished updating the business ledger and business taxes. Woot! (Now to keep that updated on a monthly basis instead of trying to compile it all at once).

One of my goals was to create more focused reader magnets for my book series, and (as mentioned above), that’s currently in the works. Deceived should have a new reader magnet by the end of the month (which will replace Deceived as the Distant Horizon universe reader magnet). I’m also working on a new reader magnet for the Wishing Blade series (which will replace Stone and String). Eventually I might make a few other “cookies,” but those are my starting points.

Other future goals: Test Draft2Digital for wide print distribution, test mailing list automations, revise Amazon ads, link to my pinterest account on the Infinitas Publishing website, overhaul book categories and keywords, and do the usual business ledger upkeep.

LitRPG / GameLit Story: On hold. (Needs revisions and restructuring).

Other Stories: The YA SciFi Alien Invasion/Dystopian Conspiracy short story revisions are on hold. Comic script (“If I Had Asked”) on hold.

Untitled Fantasy Story: On hold. Next step is to review and adjust the first book’s outline, and then adjust book two’s outline.

SBibb’s Photographic Illustration: Future Goals: Update the Infinitas Publishing website banner. Figure out a schedule for uploading general art projects.

Daz PA: I wrapped up the PDF on the magic-themed pose/prop set and submitted it. The set did get sent back with some requested changes, which stumped me for a couple weeks before I finally figured out how to make the change look right. I sent the prototype version, which was approved, so I just need to finalize the additions and resubmit.

After that I’ll finalize my surprise/fear-themed pose set. (Promos and setting up the submission page).

I’m still considering making an illuminated geoshell makeup set after that.

*

😀

* * *

Happy writing and reading (Or 3D rendering if you’re into Daz)! 🙂

Leave a comment

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