I have two very exciting things coming up in the next couple of weeks, and I am hoping to get some assistance from you.
The first thing is that I should have final proofs of a couple of cover options for my next collection – Devil in the Wind – which I hope to have released by mid-year.
One of the things that has been emphasized to me is that the opinion of the author is the least trustworthy when it comes to cover design. With that in mind, I’m planning to invite visitors to the blog here to offer their opinions. I hope you will enjoy being able to participate in that process (assuming it all goes as I hope).
The second exciting thing, though is that I will have e-book proofs of the collection in my hot little hands, well ahead of the release date.
This note is my invitation to anyone who enjoys coming along here to see what I’ve been up to to get in touch with me if they would like to receive an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of the e-book to let me have some early feedback, and also to consider providing an honest review of the book at Amazon or Goodreads or elsewhere that may seem good to you.
Reviews provide a social media guide for potential buyers of books – including lending libraries and schools, and are especially important for an unknown, who is also trying to generate buying interest in a poetic form.
Poetry is a hard sell, in these times, both in electronic and paperback forms.
As a gesture of thanks, I’m intending to figure out a fair way to choose a couple of reviewer names to receive an inscribed paperback copy of Devil in the Wind.
To anyone who is a subscriber to my Newsletter (over at FrankPrem.com), I will be making the same request and offer in a Newsletter that will go out as soon as I have proofs of the cover ready to share.
Thank you for considering this. If you are interested in receiving an e-book ARC, either let me have an email address that I can use, or simply sign up for the newsletter at FrankPrem.com.
~~~
in such glory
if I place you
where the sun
becomes
my heart
if I place you
toward the center
and in the last
of day
this wonder day
we could both
bow
our heads
and I will
yes
you know I will
if you
go first
show me
the way
sometimes the world
seems only
white
sometimes
too much
of colour
but you
my friend are
light beheld
streaming down
in wonder
it is a grace
of sun
I believe
for me
to witness you
in glory
~
Frank Prem Poetry 
Frank, I fear letting you down if I commit to that. I haven’t read your last book yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hehehe nothing like a bit of pressure!! No drama, it’s only if you feel it’s something you would like to do.
All good, Tracy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely photo and poem combination. I’ll happily comment on the cover
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Derrick. I’ll be delighted to hear your thoughts.
I was lucky with the picture, but fell in love with it a little bit when I saw what I had.
LikeLiked by 1 person
happy to help, Frank, although I’m always a bit slow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mick. You’re on the list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best of luck with your new book! You have such a skill with words; I hope many people will get interested in poetry again through reading yours. I’d offer to proof-read & review, but am still tied up with my current project. The originator wants it as an e-book also and I’ve never done one. Yet. 🙂
Cover design interests me and I’ll comment if you post it here. Generally, I think the initial choice is one the writer must make because he/she has to promote this book. We need to be delighted with how our book looks and not cringe a bit when showing it to someone new. However, a good graphics designer can do wonders turning a simple image into an attractive cover. My son-in-law, a labourer by day, turns into a Corel Draw whiz in the evening and has come up with a great finished look for my own book cover and now for the cover of the book I’ve just edited.
LikeLike
Pingback: Paper Airplanes & Haiku | Christine's Collection
Thanks for the link, Christine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be interested but depends on timing. Busy few weeks/ months ahead. Maybe the next one!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, Claire. I’ll let you know when I’m sending the bushfire set out, but if you can’t do them, I’ll certainly keep you in mind for the Psychiatry set, which is next in line.
LikeLike
Great! Please do 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pop over to the .com site and give up your email and I’ll include you in occasional Newsletters, Claire.
There’s never going to be any obligations, but it will be a pleasure for me to have folk sharing their views and getting to read pre-releases, perhaps.
LikeLike
Well, I’ve snuck in late so no one can see what I’m doing to you, Frank, but me and bushfires – I was in the ’83 Ash Wednesday fires, and still have nightmares. This is one I’m begging off. Sorry. I love your words and how you string the feelings together, but not fire, not the memory of burning, the stink of …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand completely, Cage. The stories are powerful and important, but very distressing, as well. I think we are all still suffering from a form of PTSD from our fires. You too, I think.
No drama. There will be more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a warning I must remember to give to any volunteers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s a good idea – but the book will open the readers who weren’t there to what it can do to a person … that’s important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What has struck me is that these wildfires are now a global, annual phenomenon. And it’s getting worse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m waiting to see what happens around Adelaide/SA over the next few weeks … Prepared, but not, if you know what I mean.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was the lesson. Never prepared enough, unless you”re prepared to run.
On a lighter note, I got my first publisher statement from Ingrams tonight. In the money, me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Do-Re-Me!
I only did the most recent book with IS, and there have been a couple of sales, but I haven’t checked for a while (once a month (mid-month) doesn’t seem so disheartening!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think half of all mine are in the current statement, half in the next. I love the good bits of this caper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good bits? Oh, the mania and the teeth gnashing and the over-indulgence in coffee? or is it the nightmares about .jpeg or png or …?
Oh, the people. Right, people, and getting them to read your stories … I see.
Yes, it does have some good bits, and that just feeds the obsession.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hehehe a little walk out in the open air for you tomorrow, Cage.
Down by the sweetly flowing waters of the Torrens, perhaps … Fresh air. Yup.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a creek across the road, where we walk the dog … but yes, I’m in the middle of a first draft manic moment, but that’s life (and I have to admit, I do quite enjoy the mind-movies that come with the creation).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m imagining working with some students and working towards a publication of their work … Haven’t even got access to the school yet! Still, the idea shapes up.
A dozen ways to make a dollar out of being an author.
LikeLiked by 1 person