BE MY GUEST: How to design a Book Cover: Jess C Scott

When you go to a bookstore (even virtual like Amazon.com) to buy a book, the first thing that catches your eye is its “cover”. Sometimes, the decision to buy the book is made in those few seconds and then you read the blurb or flip the pages to see what is inside. So, let’s not underestimate the power of a “good” and “well-designed” book cover. One big positive is that it boosts the sales of the book. Also, who does not like a nice glossy looking book sitting on one’s bookshelf? Let’s be honest, we all do!

To cut the long story short, when I came to know that Jess, an extremely multi-talented artist not only writes books but also makes her own book covers, I had to ask how she does it all. I am sure her write-up will help you in understanding how can you go about designing the cover/illustration for your self-published book and how can you do it yourself using cheap tools available online.

Before you move on and read her article, have a look at the covers she designed. I think they look super-KEWL! Which one of the two covers you guys like the most? Let me know in the comments section below.






How to design a Book Cover
By Author: Jess C Scott

I’m an independent author/artist/non-conformist, and I write in a range of different genres. All of my book covers are self-designed—creative freedom and flexibility/versatility are one of the things I enjoy the most about being an indie author.

I used an old sketch for the cover of my first book, EyeLeash: A Blog Novel, because I was working with an extremely low budget and wanted to keep costs low (that was in mid-2009). Since then, I’ve continued designing my own book covers, because (1) it is enjoyable, and (2) I like the challenge of creating covers that are both visually appealing and unique.

Book cover design covers three basic elements:

1) Base Drawing / Illustration

2) Fonts

3) Color / Style / Feel

The base drawing/illustration for the cover is the important element, and it’s OK if you don’t have the time or skills to do the drawings yourself—you can look for CC-licensed and royalty-free images online instead (I usually use flickr and deviantART when I “need some help”). Many artists charge reasonable licensing fees for commercial use of images. The one drawback is that you might see the same image being used on several different book covers by different authors (especially if the book falls into a popular commercial genre).

Don’t get too crazy with fonts! You want something that looks simple, nice, and is easily readable and identifiable when the book cover is viewed as a small thumbnail. I like using Urban Fonts andFontSpace for typography (I only use those that are labeled as “free for commercial use”).

The color/style/feel of a book cover’s design are also important—the bottom line is that a book cover has to (1) have visual appeal, and (2) attract the right audience. A loud/strong graphic would be okay for a mainstream/edgy kind of book (which is what I want going for with the above two book covers), though the same graphic style probably wouldn’t work for a historical romance novel (which generally requires a cover with a more “chivalric” feel).

I use an old hand-me-down version of Photoshop to arrange and enhance certain elements of the cover design. If I need any “extras” or cheap/free tools available online, I’ll run a search for “photoshop alternative online” on Google and see what comes up.

If you do want to learn how to draw or improve your design skills, a book that might help you is John Ruskin’s The Elements of Drawing. This book isn’t a step-by-step “how to draw” kind of guidebook, but it teaches you to use your eyes and be observant and appreciative of nature (and that all drawing is “dirtying the paper delicately”). Ruskin’s book is very demanding and requires you to be very dedicated with practicing, but I think the results are worth the time and effort.

Personally, I think learning how to draw is just as important as learning how to read and write. Drawing teaches you to be observant and disciplined, and it’s a great joy to be able to express oneself with words as well as with pictures. The important thing is to keep practicing and learning new things along the way. It is never too late to start.

I’ll end this guest post by thanking Komal for graciously hosting me, and giving me this topic to write about! I hope some of my tips have been useful.


About the Author:

Jess is an independent author/artist/non-conformist who’s dedicated to writing original stories that are both meaningful and entertaining. She works in a diverse range of genres, such as contemporary fiction, YA fiction, poetry, urban fantasy, and cyberpunk. She is currently completing "The Cyberpunk Elven Trilogy".

Website: www.jessINK.com

Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Elven Trilogy Book Site: More Info / Excerpts

* Be sure to check out Jess’s newest short story, SKINS (http://www.jessINK.com/skins.htm), where Laer (the dark elf) seeks revenge on a couple of devotees of the exotic skins trade. SKINS is a freebie on Jess’s website!

About her Books:

Book #1: The Other Side of Life

Summary: A thieving duo's world turns upside down when an Elven rogue uncovers the heinous dealings of a megacorporation.

Synopsis: Anya and Leticia are partners-in-crime who steal for a living. Their world turns upside down after a chance encounter with fellow rogue, Ithilnin--the enigmatic leader of an Elven band of thieves.

A scuffle to prove who's "the better thief" transforms into more than Anya and Ithilnin ever bargained for. They retrieve the missing piece of an ancient poem, before getting caught in the secret dealings of a megacorporation. What they uncover threatens to alter the very essence of not just human life, but the other side as well.

Elven intrigue, cyberpunk action, and a deadly dose of danger come together in The Other Side of Life [Book #1 in the (Cyberpunk) Elven Trilogy].

To purchase this book, go to these links: Amazon | Smashwords |jessINK Website

Book # 2 : The Darker Side of Life

SUMMARY: A hybrid elf child combats a dark elf’s scheme to exploit and turn a virtual reality system into a weapon of mass destruction.

SYNOPSIS: Anya is distraught as she copes with being separated from Ithilnin (Nin). She realizes she could get the answers she desperately seeks from Laer—the first dark elf she’s encountered. With Laer’s help, a trip through the elves’ virtual reality system affects Anya more deeply than she anticipated. Laer enlightens Anya on her connection to the deciphered code of an ancient prophecy, information which she dutifully discusses in the dead of night with Nin. The discovery threatens to destroy Nin and Anya’s fragile but intimate ties, as Anya finds herself increasingly tempted to take a walk on the dark side. The plot thickens with jealousy, betrayal, and a noble vengeance in The Darker Side of Life [Book #2 in the (Cyberpunk) Elven Trilogy].

The Darker Side of Life (Book #2) and The Arcane Side of Life (Book #3) will be released in early 2012.

GENRE: Urban Fantasy / Cyberpunk / YA with adult crossover appeal


Watch out for the upcoming giveaway of “The Other Side of Life” on “The Review Girl”

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IDIOT BOX...

Ekta kapoors saas baho sagas...
disgusting people trying to do some jumping in some pathetic reality dance shows...
siddhu laffing on jokes which nobody can understand or at least get the stamina to laugh at, except him...
semi nude gals showing off their not-so-pretty-faces-but-big asses-n-huge jugs...
some page-3 celebs controversies which no one wants to listen n does not give a damn to...
news channels giving all the sleaze n masala they can to glue some cheap audience to tv sets....
ohhh my....
very idiotic...very very idiotic...not the box man....the audience i mean!!!!
audience is a big idiot who watches this bloody box!

India Vs Pakistan 2007

Scintillating, breathtaking, exhilerating and soooooooo very exciting....yeah, the match between Pak and India in T20 worldcup final 2007. Though, finally the cup was grabbed by the Indian team led by Dhoni (whom I like to call,"Tarzan fled from jungle"). Pakistani team bowled really well and did a tremendous job by not letting India go for more, so managed to bring down to around 160 - reachable and easy target! But India took wickets instantly so the match started at good pace but then after Imran Nazir'z wicket, it seemed that it was Indiaz win, until Misbah and Sohail came and turned the match on their side. The last ball was pretty sensational, had it not been caught by fielder, it could have been a six or a four, letting Pak take the trophy. But unfortunately, that did not happen. The good thing about the match was that it was played with great spirit by the teams. They gave an amazing contest to each other, making Indo-Pak cricket as thrilling and entertaining as it has always been. After a long time, a worthwatching match!

Chronology of Lal Masjid events

A chronology leading up to Tuesday’s bloody raid of Lal Masjid:

January, 2007: Scores of female seminary students armed with canes occupy a children’s library in Islamabad, protesting government plans to demolish mosques and Madrassas built without official permission.

March 27: In the start of a Taliban-style anti-vice campaign, female students abduct three women they accuse of running a brothel, then later seize two policemen. They are released after reportedly repenting.

April 6: The mosque sets up an Islamic Shariah court. The mosque’s senior cleric, Maulana Abdul Aziz, vows to launch thousands of suicide attacks if the government attempts to close him down.

April 9: The Shariah court hands down a Fatwa against Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar, accusing her of committing a sin, after she is shown in newspaper photographs embracing a parachuting instructor following a charity jump in France.

April 10: The government blocks the mosque’s illegal Web site and radio station.

May 19: Students associated with the mosque kidnap four policemen after the arrest of a dozen mosque supporters. The kidnap of another two policemen follows. All are eventually freed.

June 23: Dozens of students kidnap nine people, including six Chinese women and a Chinese man, from an acupuncture clinic, claiming it is a brothel. All are freed following protests from Beijing, in what proves to be the last straw in the six-month confrontation.

July 3: Escalating tensions erupt into street battles around the mosque between security forces and militants. At least nine people die and some 150 are wounded.

July 4: Security forces lay siege to the mosque, later demanding an unconditional surrender and the release of alleged hostages held inside. Aziz is arrested sneaking out of the mosque dressed in a Burqa and high-heels. His brother Abdul Rashid Ghazi takes over as mosque chief.

July 7: President Musharraf vows to kill all militants inside the mosque if they don’t lay down their arms.

July 10: After last-ditch negotiations fail, security forces storm the mosque.

Courtesy : THE NEWS

Mush speaks on operation silence

President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf's Speech after Lal Masjid "Operation Silence" on PTV Channel ,12th July 2007:

Lal Masjid operation completed.
lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa have been freed from militants.This is not a day of rejoicing. This is the day of mourning, as we had to launch operation against our own people.
Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa have been made a fortified hotbed for militancy.
Lal Masjid people have formed a female brigade; they were snatching weapons; policemen and the foreigners were being kidnapped.
This is not the war to fight against our own countrymen and the Muslims.
I salute the Pak Army , SSG Commandos and Security forces on their successful operation. I am proud of them.
Pakistan stands again at a crucial point.
Ten jawans of Pak Army were martyred and 33 wounded.
I thank Chaudhry Shuja'at Hussain, Abdul Sattar Edhi, ministers and Ulema who performed their duty with responsibility.
I understand the difficulties and hardships faced by the people of G-6 sector of Islamabad.
I pray for the shaheeds of this tragic incident.
Which Islam the extremists present in Lal Masjid were representing.
I pay tribute especially to the anti-terrorist unit of commandos.
This day compels us to think that what we want to do.
Today is not the day of rejoicing. We have not captured an enemy country, as we had to launch operation against our people.
Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa have been made a fortified hotbed for militancy.
Lal Masjid people have formed a female brigade; they were snatching weapons; policemen and the foreigners were being kidnapped.
One Rangers official has been killed in the operation. 75 militants were killed during the operation.
We could have launched the operation earlier, but it might cause the loss of many lives and this would not be any wise decision, either.
During the operation, two thousand women, children and men were taken out and later 1300 were got released.
Before the operation, Chaudhry Shujaat and other people tried for ten days to resolve the issue but the extremists always avoided it.
Dialogue failed just because of Abdul Rasheed Ghazi as he wanted safe passage for himself and his comrades.
This condition was not acceptable for the government and after this the operation was ordered.
The terrorism and extremism have not been eliminated from Pakistan. We have to eliminate this with full determination and we will inshaallah do so.
I know that the sympathizers of the people of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa are present in FATA and other areas.
When dialogue failed then the operation was started.
The best of our friends China asked us to ensure the safety of their citizens living in Pakistan.
The overall impression which the world receiving from the prevalent situation in Pakistan that the government is party to all this and we were under extreme pressure for the operation.
I was not glad in ordering to kill them; I am not grieved either.
The whole nation including me wished for the early resolution for this standoff.
In future, we will not allow any seminary or mosque to lead the extremist agenda.
I appeal all moderate people to side with us (the government) and come forward to help us in our bid to foil the extremism.I have always said about the madaris on several platforms including the United Nations that they are the best NGOs.
I will request Wafaqul Madaris to adopt effective strategy so that the people with positive bent of mind may come to the forefront.The children should be taught the higher values of Islam and their minds should be made free from hatred and violence.
I appeal you to stop the seminaries where the militancy is being taught, as it was your own suggestion.
I pray to Allah to save Pakistan from terrorism.
May Allah let our country exist forever and save us and make Pakistan prosperous.
May Allah let us go on the way of moderation and may save Pakistan.
Pakistan Zindabad

Guys! u shud all learn this by heart! for sure!

How women rate men?

In the world of romance, one single rule applies to men: Make the woman happy. Do something she likes and you get the points. Do something she dislikes and points are subtracted. You don't get any points for doing something she expects. Sorry, that's the way the game is played.

Here is a guide to the point system:

Simple Duties

You make the bed (+1)
You make the bed, but forget the decorative pillow (0)
You throw the bedspread over rumpled sheets (-1)
You go out to buy her what she wants (+5) in the rain (+8) but return with beer (-5)
You check out a suspicious noise at night (0)
You check out a suspicious noise, and it is nothing (0)
You check out a suspicious noise and it is something (+5)
You pummel it with iron rod (+10)
It's her pet (-10)

Social Engagements

You stay by her side the entire party (0)
You stay by her side for a while, then leave to chat with a college buddy (-2)
Named Rita (-4)
Rita is a dancer (-6)
Rita is single and is really beautiful (-80)

Her Birthday

You forget her birthday (-50000)
You take her out to dinner (0)
You take her out to dinner and it's not a sports bar (+1)
Okay, it's a sports bar (-2)
And it's all-you-can-eat night (-3)
It's a sports bar, it's all-you-can-eat night, and your face is painted the colours of your favourite team (-10)

A Night Out

You take her to a movie (+2)
You take her to a movie she likes (+4)
You take her to a movie you hate (+6)
You take her to a movie you like (-2)
It's called 'DeathCop' (-3)
You lied and said it was a foreign film about orphans (-15)

Enjoy The 'Big' Question

She asks, 'Do I look fat?' (-5) Yes, you lose points no matter what you say...
You hesitate in responding (-10)
You reply, 'Where?' (-35)
Any other response (-20)

Communication

When she wants to talk to you about a problem, you listen, displaying what looks:
Like a concerned expression (0)
You listen, for over 30 minutes (+50)
You listen for more than 30 minutes without looking at the TV (+500)
She realises this is because you have fallen asleep (-10000)

Now what chance do you have?

CRIMES OF SEXUALITY???

Hello Fatima,
This is in response to your article "Of love and other demons", in "The News". Regarding Shumail and Shezina's case and in general homosexuality, there may or may not be any law in Pakistan stating lesbianism a "crime", but it is definitely a "prohibition" in Islam. You termed their sexual preference as "love", saying that we should devote our time to other "important" issues, shows that there is no sense of "societal" and moreover "moral values", especially when you as a journalist are the one who must think of the fact that you (and I mean journalists here) are the people who create "opinions" and "perceptions" among masses. So, should not you be aware of what kind of values you should project and write?
I feel that being a part of "society" and that too an Islamic society, yes, we have the right to question their sexual inclinations because when such a case happens, it does not remain an individual choice but becomes a representation of what our society is and where it is going. We do not want our children to follow western values and become "valueless" in every manner. We would want our children to know what is right and what is wrong in the light of Islamic view and according to that, the act of homosexuality is extremely "unnatural" and a "sinful act". So, when society points fingers at Shumail and Shezina, it does not point’s fingers at these two girls, but on the "values" that these two represent and which are certainly not "acceptable" to us as Muslims!
Yes, we should know more about the proposed Iraq oil law but we must not ignore what is happening on our own soil (be it political or social) since that is our first priority as a citizen!

From,
Writer by Choice

NOTE: This is a feedback on the article given below.

"Of love and demons"

A hundred beats

By Fatima Bhutto

In a country where factionalism pre-originates the birth of life and divisions lay so deep-rooted that politics and society are shaped by rifts, not unions, I think there is something to say for love. And if that love happens to be between two people of the same gender, then what of it?

I understand the knee-jerk reaction, the witch-hunt mentality and the feeling that someone else's personal life somehow deeply offends our own sense of calm and civility. I understand that those feelings are the primary ones, feelings that are difficult to overshadow by reason or -- imagine this -- a sense of living and letting live. I understand that there are things we cannot, or will not, tolerate. Old traditions, force of habit, schooled morality. I don't for a moment seek to undermine those prejudices or allay those feelings of confusion and dread. In our own lives, we abide by what we determine as being correct. In our own lives, we are undoubtedly free to draw the line at certain behaviour or lifestyles. But in others? Do we have a right to value the private choices made in the lives of others? In so much as they do not cause harm, I would say no, we don't.

My favourite professor at college, Dennis Dalton, demonstrated the conundrum of John Stuart Mill's no harm principle - that society ought not to restrict any action, so long as it does not cause harm -- with a personal example. Professor Dalton was sitting on a bus from New York to New Jersey to visit his grand-daughters for the weekend. Across the aisle from him was a young man making the same journey, except that as he was crossing state lines. The young man was furiously engaged in picking his nose. It was a laborious task and the young traveller seemed intent on getting the job done. Professor Dalton, wholly unamused, considered asking the hardworking man to stop, to cease and desist, but didn't. Picking his nose on the bus, as impolite and unbecoming as it was, did not cause anyone on the bus any harm. Aside from public decorum, which the young man was seriously lacking in, there were no grounds to ask him to take his finger out of his nose.

We don't automatically have the right to point fingers (no pun intended) and mark shame. What then of the latest controversy surrounding two women who chose to spend their lives together? There must be a reason that this is making national news, I just don't see it. Iran and the United States are engaging in diplomatic talks for the first time in twenty years, the Iraqi parliament is about to sign over their oil fields, their sovereign right, and all its revenues to large multinational companies, there are militants teaching boys as young as 12 to behead 'infidels' in Bannu and this is what we're devoting time to covering?

Let me backtrack a moment, Shumail and Shahzina, female couple -- or 'she-couple' in the derisive language of the press -- are not news. They are private citizens who made a private decision. Their private choice caused no amount of harm, except perhaps to Shumail who may or may not have undergone a mastectomy. The private citizens, civilians, are of legal age and free to engage in relationships of their choosing. Except that they did not do the 'done' thing. They did not place themselves in a humiliating cattle like auction in front of eligible male suitors or try to butter up a thin lipped, disapproving mother-in-law. In short, they did not tick the right box in the bio-data section. They chose not men, but each other. "They did not mean to offend," their lawyer stated at their trial, "they only acted out of love for each other".

They were not jailed for their same-sex marriage; there are no codes to punish such a nuptial deviation under Pakistani law. It wouldn't have been quite kosher to throw them into jail, separate ones I should add, for the sin of not conforming to heterosexual norms so Shumail and Shezina will be jailed for perjury. For that may or may not mastectomy. Yes. Let this be a lesson to you: liars in Pakistan will be imprisoned. Severely imprisoned. How has there not already been a boon in perjury incarcerations? Do you think judges are simply unaware of the mass stockpile we possess of thieving black marketers, extortionist businessmen, and sinisterly corrupt politicians? The prisons would be full if we were to make a precedent of jailing people for lying!

I'm afraid the crime here was not lying, not in their case. Their crime was love. It's not any more complicated than that. Two people decide they love each other and that's what we're going to try in a court of law? What a total waste of time and legal energy. Since we're on the topic, what the members of the law should devote their time to is imposing stricter sentences on men for bartering underage brides in watta satta, or ritually murdering couples under the auspices of karo kari. Judges and lawyers and us newspaper reading public should be concerned with the prostitution rings that deal in young boys, because their bodies are sold cheaper than young girls, or the spread of HIV and AIDS among the many shadow sex workers forced into the underground trade.

God help me, if the emails I received over my writings on the Hudood Ordinance were nasty, then I'm not looking forward to the ones that will line up in my inbox come Monday. But this should be said -- it doesn't matter to me what Shumail and Shahzina do because they are individuals acting on private concerns. It concerns me even less that they are both women and that they technically shouldn't be with each other. I'm not advocating mass national conversion. I'm not pro anything; I'm simply not anti anything either. Freedom is about choice and that's what we need to support.

Let's get back to matters that need our attention and depend on our vigilance. Visit http://www.avaaz.org/en /iraq_oil_law to learn more about the proposed Iraqi oil law and while you're there please sign the petition to defend Iraq's right to economic justice. That's a far more worthy cause than nosing around in Shumail and Shezina's business; they have suffered enough at our hands.

TAKE CHARGE!

I have heard people complaining, yeah, Big time! Complaining about their life, nothing being right, meeting selfish and cruel people, always fate doing wrong to them, waiting for somebody else to fix things up in their life! They either keep grumbling or do nothing about it and wait for some Superman to come flying and setting their lives to a smooth ride OR they pray to God in every possible way but without practically trying to change their attitude towards life or solve their problems. They just do not want to TAKE CHARGE of their life!
I dun understand whether they are cursing their own way of thinking and their lifestyle or the fact that they are actually DEAD from inside! I have observed that it’s not only the case with illiterates or less privileged financially, but people who belong to elite class and are educated and fully aware of the surroundings and the world, also grumble a lot! The rich people seem frustrated and depressed and take tranquilizers to sooth their mind and heart from the restlessness of their busy life. The poor people commit suicide for not being able to earn a lot of money to fulfill their materialistic desires. The Haves and Have-Nots, both have their share of troubles of different genres. In short, everybody in this world has one issue or the other, but the point is that it should not stop people from living. Grumbling is not the solution to any conflict, not even those large pills and tablets. The solution lies within us, in our hearts and minds. Once we realize that we have to think healthy and positive and take every hassle with a big smile, no matter how small or huge the enigma is, one can make way through it! There is a beautiful verse in Urdu that I read somewhere in my school days, it goes like this:

"Khuda nay aaj tak us kaum ki halat nahi badli,
Na ho jisko khayal aap apni halat kay badalnay ka"

It means that even God cant change the miserable condition of those people who do not realize themselves that it must be changed. In short, God helps those who help themselves! In advertising terms, "Just do it". Yes, we read and learn but sometimes we do not apply it in our life. It’s high time we should start doing it for our betterment! By developing this mindset, we can not only make our lives more constructive but also of the people around us. The optimistic and cheerful attitude comes with solutions as well as with a bonus of longevity! So, keep smiling and take charge of this valuable gift of God – Life!

Shake it well!

The more u stir it, the better is the taste of soda. Same goes for the soul, shake it, stir it, experience the twists n turns and WOLA! Soul's gonna be really wild! Hmmm..talk about being spiritual!