If you are using artwork, the larger the reproduction the greater chance for graininess. A graphic artist can only do so much.
20×66” or 51×66 cm Poster 5.5×8.5” or 14×21.5 cm Book Cover
I was very lucky to have the posters done by Ian G. They’re photographs so the actual posters are brighter than what you see.
These pictures are from pre-display set-up (another Blog). The posters giver you a better idea of how they actually look.
What we found was that Ruby, when blown up past a certain point, looked grainy. Sylvia, because Randy (the artist) drew mostly her head on 11×14” (28×35.5 cm) paper whereas in Ruby, on the same size sheet, he drew the Queen’s entire body with background.
Ian made a number of samples and sizes. My brother Andy, put them up on a wall and asked people to say what they liked, based on first impression.
We also made 8.5×11” (21.5×28 cm) posters in both colour and black and white for Sylvia and Ruby with just colour.
Next Blog is designing T-shirts and getting them printed this coming Saturday…
Asking Someone to Model for the Artwork on Your Cover
Somewhere on the Internet there are people willing to let you use their image for artwork. If you find these websites remember life is about reciprocity. Give them credit and pay them.
I asked friends to model. The reason is you can bring them along for the ride. Sam Nichols didn’t just model for Sylvia from the Children of the Myth Machine series, she also came to Kitchener Comic Con (that will be its own Blog).
I offer a token amount of money to everyone I ask to model, and include their contact information.
The person I’m asking to model has the essence and fits the physical characteristics of the character in the book.
Be specific with the model. “Here is the still action pose I am looking for in the picture.” Short sleeve, shorts, pants, sandals, shoes, belly is showing/ isn’t. Artists will add or subtract clothing and items. It’s the pose and facial features that are most important for the picture, not necessarily the exact costume or lighting.
Still action draws people in. When you look at a movie poster it’s a snapshot of something happening. Ask someone to model who will put passion into their posing for the camera. The better you explain the scene the easier it is for them to pose.
Taylor Norris portraying the AI transpecies, Whispers, in a future science fiction book called Brackish.
Taylor Norris as Whispers (for a story in progress). Taylor owns the rights to this picture and it may not be reproduced without her explicit permission.
Taylor did more than twenty poses until we decided on this one. The lighting is poor and the background doesn’t fit the scenario of the world Brackish. That’s what the artist adds later.
When I asked one individual to model she told me she didn’t feel comfortable modelling nude. I couldn’t remember ever asking her to pose nude for the photo that the artist would use.
Some artists prefer their models nude. People draw nudes in art classes. The backlash from asking someone to pose nude is you just sent up a red alert. Why do I need to be nude? And that’s a justifiable question. If they think you have ulterior motives, you just lost trust.
Once someone is photographed nude it may get onto the Internet. That could cause problems for their career if they are or want to become a civil servant, teacher, police officer and so on. I mentioned to a woman who told me she posed nude for art classes, that she should make sure there are no cell phones, or other devices that can take pictures. If the model has done nudes already, and is comfortable with it, that’s between the two of you.
A pet peeve for a lot of us is when we see an interesting cover but it has nothing to do with the story inside.
I wanted covers that represented a scene in the book. But I’m not an artist. So what I would do is ask a friend, my goddaughter, my niece, or my goddaughter’s sister if I can take a picture of them. The picture would represent the image I wanted an artist (someone I know) to create.
For Sylvia, the second book in the Children of the Myth Machine series, I asked Sam Nichols, a budding personal trainer if I could take a picture of her with one hand on a tree trunk while she looked into the distance. Time didn’t allow us to meet up so Sam put her camera on Timer and took a picture while the wind blew her hair.
[The picture of Sam is her sole property and not for reprint in any form without her express permission.]
The agreement is Sam keeps the right to the original photo but I can us She was kind enough to let me use it so you can see the process.]e it for artwork. In the story Sylvia has birch tree pupils and rabbit ears. I drew a really rough sketch of what I wanted for my artistic friend Randy Bugdale.
[Copyright Dan Watt]
Randy used pencil crown to create the image of Sylvia. He also designed the front cover for the few books I had printed to bring to Kitchener Comic Con. The next Blog will discuss getting a model.
That’s Leah Weir, who has been a tremendous help holding the two self-published books for my Children of the Myth Machine Series: Sylvia and Ruby. Only a limited number of hard copies were printed so they are not available but they are available as e-books through Kobo or Chapters. I’ll discuss e-books in another Blog.
A Printing Company might use Microsoft Word, often they prefer PDF files and now it’s easy to convert a Word Document to a PDF file. There is a list of things you want to think about before you bring your book to a Printer:
You want an ISBN number (the Library of Canada likes 2 copies)
Hire someone who is a real editor to go through your book, and work with you on any grammatical or storyline corrections.
How many pages, what type of paper, what type of bonding?
If you’re going with 5.5×8.5”or another dimension convert your document or make a copy of it at those dimensions so you know how many pages will actually be printed based on the font size and type of font.
You want your fonts to be easily read.
The more copies you get the cheaper each book costs.
If you’re getting the story printed to give away to an organization, family, or friends that will limit the number of copies you want to make.
If you’re planning on selling the books, make sure they’re appealing to the readers you’re trying to attract (non-fiction: autobiography, historical, text; fictional: drama, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, romance)
Make an attractive, exciting front and back cover
Some Printers have artists you can hire to design your front and back cover, or you can try it on your own (that’s another story)
I started a story called Preterhuman Normal but stopped because I had it (as a fan) in the DC Universe but without the permission I thought I should for legal reason stop.
Instead I’ve re-worked the story. It still belongs in the Comic Universe but one I’m creating from scratch.
Preterhuman Normal is about Norm Nethers and how he grows into a superhero or super villain you have to read it to find out.
So you will see two blogs now: one is BARD (fantasy fiction with adventure, horror, battles, and love story). and Preterhuman Normal.
Writer’s Write. If you comment great but if you don’t I’ll continue posting.
My brother and budding writer, Andy Watt, at our stand at Kitchener City Hall.Samantha Nichols between Stormtropper and Bobba Fett.Sam with Candy Cosplays candycosplays@hotmail.com.Sam with neighbor Sam and her family.My helpers, Andraya and Katilyn with a mysterious girl whose arm you write your name on. I was told I wouldn’t understand her character so you can tell me her secret.Live Adventure with Underworld LARP pr@larp.ca.Stacy Cliff — Artist scliff2004@hotmail.com.People loved this stand. Knightmares & Daydreams rotaruc@msn.com.Handmade jewelry. Penney’s Steampunk General Store penneys@bell.net.Never did get their card but if I do I’ll post it.
I really enjoyed just walking around meeting the different businesses, groups, and characters and taking pictures. Very busy and super friendly.
Bobba FettHarley QuinnRey and BB8Gandalf or Dumbledore?DeadpoolPuff the magic dragon? Not sure.Trolls!Spidermen from different Marvel universes.Don’t what they are but really neat costumes.Did see a Dr. Who so might be the Dalek got him.
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