Question about cover art.

[RoyceConnors]

Fact is that the two of you changed your expectations in the middle of this thread and in the middle of other posts about your projects--to meet the needs of your arguments.

Again, you will do what you do and then you will get the result you get. If you weren't realistic in what you did, you won't be pleasantly surprised with what you got--unless you readjust your expectations, which you apparently are doing--at least for public consumption.

And of course you shoot the messengers.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH..........BREATH......HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......BREATH....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

LAUGH OF THE DAY

 

[sr71plt]

That's what we're here for--to amuse Royce. (Can't wait to see your book and to track its sales strength on various sales sites. )

At some point speculation and claims and bravado end and the real world sets in.

 

[RoyceConnors]

So using Smashwords to e-publish and need to provide cover art. Well they do have a list of e-packagers so to speak who will format your stuff correctly and work on cover art but not sure what they charge. For my first book I'm sinking a little money into and having a local art student painting one for me. However beyond that I have some short stories that can sell on that site and others for small amounts $.99- $1.99 obviously not looking to put an investment into those but they go into the "premium" catalog if they have a cover. My question is that there are those stock art sites that you can get a 30 day membership for pretty cheap or sometimes even a free trial during which time you can download as many photos as you want. is it legal to use these as covers? Or are these people models who are supposed to get paid? I know it's a dumb question but i have no experience with this. I know you can find some things on Flickr and if you contact the photographer sometimes they will let you use their pic. But searching Flickr is a hassle and many of the Photographers a bit touchy. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

It's legal to use stock photos with an "extended license." That works out to about $100 a photo. You can try searching Flickr for "creative commons" photos (make sure you have for "commercial use" checked) but I'd also get permission from the photographer as well. Some have had luck finding photos on Deviant Art, but I'm not familiar enough to tell you how it all works over there.

Good luck!

Thank you! Actually the $100 is what I'm paying the girl to do up the first one for me. Well that and an acknowledgment and some class credit. Good call on Deviant Art! The series is a bit Dark so I may get some good ideas there. Thanks again.

This question made me think of my own collection that's about to be pubbed. I have a very specific cover idea that is perfect for the title, but I'm almost positive I won't find it in stock photos. Would I have to hire a photorapher and models to do it, or would the publisher assist me?

Now, where did we ever say we only wanted to spend $1.99 on a cover like you did? Selena has opened the floor to dollar values by saying certain pics cost $100. At this point, Lovecraft and I were willing to go with that dollar amount and both felt our first publications, shitty as they may be and never sell a copy, is worthy of spending the equivilent of a night out eating and drinking. You have stepped in and made a statement, based on your opinion of your experiences. Lovecraft and I are foolish and will be disappointed beyond belief at feeling the way we do about our works. That is arrogant and totally disrespectful to our RIGHT to choose whatever we wish to do.

At this point, an apology is in order and an understanding of what your arrogance is all about. The proof is before your own eyes, as well as everyone else's, so please try to deny what is flagrantly obvious to everyone, but you it seems.

 

[sr71plt]

Now you're being amusing. Talk and bravado are cheap (as you've shown). We'll see what you think a year after you've published--if you ever do. Until then, it's all talk and bravado.

You left out a few of your quotes on this thread:

“I'll wager the sales will warrant spending the extra and doing it right the first time. And really, what's a $100 when you feel your story is worth ten times that.” (posting 14)

“What makes you think I'd spend a penny on anything, without doing my homework and having my publisher assist me?” (posting 18. You claim to have a publisher, who of course, wouldn’t be a publisher without looking at the profit to be made. So, do you have a publisher?)

“I want to come across as a quality product from the beginning, so my future work is sought after, as soon as it hits the shelves.” (posting 20. You obviously plan on this one doing so well in sales that the future ones will fly off the shelves.)

“But I might post a few royalty checks to shut you up.” (Post 32. This one I particularly loved. I hope you realize those royalty checks don’t come until the production and marketing costs are covered. But it also shows you expect this to be profitable in the marketplace)


You and Lovecraft68 have been posting about profitable publishing--and finding an publisher--for some time here. And biting every hand of experience who has tried to help you. (I'm dying for you to ask me how I know what Lovecraft68's intentions were for his book, for instance. Then we can start talking about PMed requests for help/information.)

Just do what you're going to do, and we'll see how that turns out.

 

[RoyceConnors]

Now you're being amusing. Talk and bravado are cheap (as you've shown). We'll see what you think a year after you've published--if you ever do. Until then, it's all talk and bravado.

You and Lovecraft68 have been posting about profitable publishing--and finding an publisher--for some time here. And biting every hand of experience who has tried to help you.

And a quick check on any of those threads will once again show your arrogance of making a statement and belittling in return when it is turned away. I have taken every bit of advice from other posters and treated it carefully and with respect, as it deserves.

Publishing our work for profit is the reason we're out looking for publishers, that's no secret. Because your stories may not bring in very much in the way of royalties, doesn't relate to what another's work will bring in. Maybe you're just not as good at writing as you boast and brag that you are.

Your sig. line has been exposed as a one-hit wonder and you're working it for all it's worth, which isn't much. I jested about putting up another frame showing all my royalties, but because your head is so far up your ass, you didn't see it as that. I can say without a doubt, you have a few issues you need to deal with if you want to place nice with others in the sandbox. Kicking sand at newbies who want to play, doesn't show a very good attitude towards offering helpful advice. It shows a petulant little boy who wants his own way and wants everybody to like him, even if he's being a total ass.

So please, come back with some more witticism's and show us all how intelligent you are.

 

[sr71plt]

Ah, well, we're back to doing for profit again, are we? Not just the glory of seeing the cover framed on our wall.

And you keep ragging on my publishing--and making wishful assumptions about it. As I said, feel free to consult with my erotica publishers on that. Selena (of eXcessica and Fido) and Sabb (of Cyberworldpublishing and BarbarianSpy). Both can be contacted by PM here.

If you provided the name of your publisher, I'd be happy to talk to that phantom.

Speculation, unfounded claims, bravado. We'll see what we see, if ever . . . And I say, stop talking about how great it will be and do it. I've consistently encouraged folks to get into publishing their work in the market.

 

[RoyceConnors]

Ah, well, we're back to doing for profit again, are we? Not just the glory of seeing the cover framed on our wall.

And you keep ragging on my publishing--and making wishful assumptions about it. As I said, feel free to consult with my erotica publishers on that. Selena (of eXcessica and Fido) and Sabb (of Cyberworldpublishing and BarbarianSpy). Both can be contacted by PM here.

If you provided the name of your publisher, I'd be happy to talk to that phantom.

Speculation, unfounded claims, bravado. We'll see what we see, if ever . . . And I say, stop talking about how great it will be and do it. I've consistently encouraged folks to get into publishing their work in the market.

WTF??? I think your cheese has slid off your cracker. Yes, we want to publish our stories and try to make a few bucks, no secret. Yes, we want really cool covers for our first ones because we're so vain about it. So where did we lose you?

 

[sr71plt]

Was that addressed to anything particular, or have you suddenly realized that you have nothing?

I suggested you check with my publishers on how I'm doing in erotica sales, because there's no reason why you should believe my own responses on this. Just as I won't believe your claims without independent evidence. For one, when you get something up there, we can always compare the relative standing of our books at Amazon and ARE if you wish. Until then, of course, all of your nasty takes on my e-books are just innuendo and frustration that you have absolutely nothing of your own to brag about.

I'm perfectly content with waiting until you've had your dose of reality and have something in the marketplace we can talk about comparatively.

This started off with an attempt to bring you to earth on what it takes/costs. I'm not surprised at the arrogance of your naivete and stubborness though--or even your nasty personal attacks. We get a lot of that from folks who haven't a clue what they're doing. I hope you haven't taken out a second mortgage to cover this--I've seen that happen too. On second thought, you've been so nasty, I don't care if you did.

 

[RoyceConnors]

Was that addressed to anything particular, or have you suddenly realized that you have nothing?

I suggested you check with my publishers on how I'm doing in erotica sales, because there's no reason why you should believe my own responses on this. Just as I won't believe your claims without independent evidence. For one, when you get something up there, we can always compare the relative standing of our books at Amazon and ARE if you wish. Until then, of course, all of your nasty takes on my e-books are just innuendo and frustration that you have absolutely nothing of your own to brag about.

I'm perfectly content with waiting until you've had your dose of reality and have something in the marketplace we can talk about comparatively.

This started off with an attempt to bring you to earth on what it takes/costs. I'm not surprised at the arrogance of your naivete and stubborness though--or even your nasty personal attacks. We get a lot of that from folks who haven't a clue what they're doing. I hope you haven't taken out a second mortgage to cover this--I've seen that happen too. On second thought, you've been so nasty, I don't care if you did.

Yup, we lost him. Might have been that sharp right we took at Albequerque.

 

[sr71plt]

Again, Nothing of substance. Guess you've run out of exits from the corner.

Do what you do and live with the results you get.

 

[RoyceConnors]

Again, Nothing of substance. Guess you've run out of exits from the corner.

Do what you do and live with the results you get.

DUH!!! hello? that's what we've been telling you all along. You do what you want to do, we'll do what we want to do. What part are you hazy on still? It's my story, my money and by God and Sonny, Jesus, I'll do whatever the fuck I want, when I want and how I want and anything you have to say doesn't come into the equation.

So back to arrogance and insults. You don't see it do you? You are so self-righteous and self-absorbed into your own beliefs, you believe you are someone of significance and what you say actually means something. It doesn't. Neither do my words. None of it does. You persist to have the last word. You can't accept you're wrong and made a mistake. You don't have it in you to apologize and just let it go. Trying to prove you are right and everyone else is wrong proves what to you? Are you expecting the threads to fill up with people lauding and praising you for it? Are expecting everyone to side with you and defend your statements? What? What is it you want out of all of this? A never-ending pissing contest that ends in what result? You profess to be the voice of reason and the definitive word of wisdom we should all follow. Allow us the priviledge of it and speak it out.

Thank you, rant over, back to regularly scheduled madness and mayhem on the all-channel, all-day SR71plt show, brought to you by Lithium, when the voices are screaming just a bit too loud in your head, Lithium is there so you can hear only yours.

 

[sr71plt]

I see your personal attacks, yes. I'm concentrating on your publishing planning and you are focused on me.

I'm happy with reality. I'll leave the "gonna do it--maybe, someday--and I'm gonna be a star" fantasy to you.

 

[RoyceConnors]

I see your personal attacks, yes. I'm concentrating on your publishing planning and you are focused on me.

I'm happy with reality. I'll leave the "gonna do it--maybe, someday--and I'm gonna be a star" fantasy to you.

I fail to see from my recent posts where you've turned this into a sales contest of some sort. "My story's better than your story? I'm published and you're not, neener, neener, neener?" Where did that come into the equation? I've written a collection, I've done what the publisher has asked, I've submitted it and my request for cover art that I'm looking for and will make a decision based on what they and I can come up with. I'll let you know in a few weeks how things are going.

So I fail to see why you are concentrating on my publishing interests, when you should be minding your own business and seeking help for those issues you have. Don't take my word for it, it means nothing, but trust me, ask anyone.

 

[sr71plt]

What's this about who has to have the last word? (I keep trying to sign off with "what will be will be")

The bottom line seems to be that both you and Lovecraft68 have committed to $100 covers for your first venture into e-booking. You have indicated that you already have a publisher. I'm looking forward to seeing the covers and how the e-books do in the marketplace--and most especially who your publisher is--to see who would be publishing you with a $100 cover (at your expense) coming out of the gate in e-publishing.

We can leave it there--both waiting to see what actually happens. Unless, of course, you gotta have the last word again.

 

[RoyceConnors]

What's this about who has to have the last word? (I keep trying to sign off with "what will be will be")

The bottom line seems to be that both you and Lovecraft68 have committed to $100 covers for your first venture into e-booking. You have indicated that you already have a publisher. I'm looking forward to seeing the covers and how the e-books do in the marketplace--and most especially who your publisher is--to see who would be publishing you with a $100 cover (at your expense) coming out of the gate in e-publishing.

We can leave it there--both waiting to see what actually happens. Unless, of course, you gotta have the last word again.

Let me leave you with this thought. This thread was just about asking a question on cover art. In no way was it looking for your seal of approval. If I can find all the parts and pieces I need and photoshop it together as Zeb suggested and I'm happy with it, well then so much the better. It cost me nothing and it's a creation of my own doing. The fact that what might be had, that is available, might cost us $100, in no way deters us from seeking out that approach.

So all you've done is take a thread offering options on how to find cover art and turned it into a challenge with you to prove ones-self. And you don't have issues? Where's the snappy comeback to that?

 

[lovecraft68]

Now you're being amusing. Talk and bravado are cheap (as you've shown). We'll see what you think a year after you've published--if you ever do. Until then, it's all talk and bravado.

You left out a few of your quotes on this thread:

“I'll wager the sales will warrant spending the extra and doing it right the first time. And really, what's a $100 when you feel your story is worth ten times that.” (posting 14)

“What makes you think I'd spend a penny on anything, without doing my homework and having my publisher assist me?” (posting 18. You claim to have a publisher, who of course, wouldn’t be a publisher without looking at the profit to be made. So, do you have a publisher?)

“I want to come across as a quality product from the beginning, so my future work is sought after, as soon as it hits the shelves.” (posting 20. You obviously plan on this one doing so well in sales that the future ones will fly off the shelves.)

“But I might post a few royalty checks to shut you up.” (Post 32. This one I particularly loved. I hope you realize those royalty checks don’t come until the production and marketing costs are covered. But it also shows you expect this to be profitable in the marketplace)


You and Lovecraft68 have been posting about profitable publishing--and finding an publisher--for some time here. And biting every hand of experience who has tried to help you. (I'm dying for you to ask me how I know what Lovecraft68's intentions were for his book, for instance. Then we can start talking about PMed requests for help/information.)

Just do what you're going to do, and we'll see how that turns out.

Well lets see. First off as for you knowing of my intentions with my book, of course I know how you know and publicly thanked you for it, either in this thread or the Incest/Hypocrisy thread I started, not sure which and getting to weary of this to look. Now I seriously would like you to tell me where I said I was going to make money. I really don't recall saying it anywhere. I know I said I will not sell for $.99 but didn't say I was going to make a killing.
Now for this conversation the entire thing started with me asking about cover art. I have someone who is supposed to be painting a cover for me but she is young and a bit flighty and in case she falls through I would like a back up plan. Selena kicked in with the number around $100 and you disagreed.
The big thing here is you are saying it's crazy to spend that much, the sales won't warrant it etc... Duly noted and I will say again what I have said before; I am not concerned with profit at the moment. This is about realizing a goal I set no more no less at least for now. I know that is hard for you to swallow as this is your profession and something like this makes you twitch you see it all in PNL terms. I don't see it that way and honestly hope I never do and I will tell you why.
When I started the comic store I was a lifelong fan collecting since I was 10 and investing and reselling by 16 but as a side business. I would eat drink and sleep comic books; they were my passion. 8 years ago I "fulfilled the dream" and opened the store." about 5 years later between the economy and the games going on with the publishers employees and countless other problems. I was to tired and disgusted to continue. Point here is after 5 years of seeing the industry from the business end, seeing how the comic companies jack their prices, turn out limitless crossovers, restart series to make extra money and so on and so forth I will now eat my own vomit before I will buy anything Marvel or Dc comics put out and will not even see the movies. If people ask me hey do you know ,or hey who was.. I tell them I no longer even discuss them. I sold my personal collection for over $30,000 which is less than I could have gotten if I sat on them for another decade but was sick of seeing them in my house. the last couple of years writing has become my new found passion and I do not want this to happen again. Now don't get me wrong I would be lying to say I wouldn't be thrilled to make some money but I'm legitimately not concerned with it as long as this time around I am happy with what I put out there. Maybe you are still passionate even though this is your living as I can only speak for me but when anything starts tying into finances the thrill is gone. agree or disagree this is my thought process. I'm not a fool regardless of what you think. If I was looking for the money you know I would say well shit I could get some stock art for $5 and if I decide to do more publishing I will do just that only the first one is worth the added expense. You just can't seem to get your head around the fact I don't care about the "insanity" of spending that much. I was looking for where to find cover art in this thread not what to pay, and certainly not this ridiculous argument and to be patronized as if you're my dad shaking his head and saying "That boy will never learn!"
One last note people are commenting that wait until I see my shitty sales and etc... first off let's go back to where I said I was going to sell lights out because I never did. And for the "I told you so" you are so desperate to give me down the line. It will not be fitting as I have no expectations with this project. My book flies in the face of everything acceptable right now. Not only is it incest, but the brother and sister engage in S&M sex, they were both abused, the sister was a drug addict, and the brother almost killed someone when he was 20 he is also a satanist. Hell I'll be lucky to sell a few dozen copies. But at the end of the day to ME all that matters is it will be my book, up there for sale, with the story I want and the cover I want. If you can't understand that then you can't, but my not heeding your advice is not a personal attack on you as you seem to be taking it.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Love, Royce,

In case you haven't noticed SR always has to have the last word. Ignore him and he will wander off to find another victim for his buffoonery.