Justin Azure's Blog
January 23, 2016
Program Eros Cover
A few days ago I was asked, "did you make a mistake on that cover?"
The person was asking about the cover for Program Eros. Rather than using the male symbol, I used the female symbol. Perhaps it's confusing, after all the two main characters are males, but the answer is, "no, I did that intentionally."
When I was coming up with the concept I wanted something different. I thought about using the male symbol because my main character is gay, but I tossed that idea aside. I'd love to say that there is a greater meaning in using the female symbol, but frankly there isn't. I just wanted people to think about it, maybe even translate the analog message on the cover.
The person was asking about the cover for Program Eros. Rather than using the male symbol, I used the female symbol. Perhaps it's confusing, after all the two main characters are males, but the answer is, "no, I did that intentionally."
When I was coming up with the concept I wanted something different. I thought about using the male symbol because my main character is gay, but I tossed that idea aside. I'd love to say that there is a greater meaning in using the female symbol, but frankly there isn't. I just wanted people to think about it, maybe even translate the analog message on the cover.
December 19, 2015
Wider Distribution Experiment
Recently I've been wondering if using a wide distributor like Smashwords will help me reach a larger audience. Until now, I've been using KDP Select, the Amazon service that an author must exclusively use when opting into it. At first it was highly beneficial, but I started noticing that although Amazon is the largest distributor of ebooks, there are people that still want to use other outlets.
So I decided to conduct an experiment and see if using Smashwords and basic KDP together would assist me in finding readership. I'm giving it two months to see if there is any benefit at all.
Do any authors out there have any advice for my experiment?
So I decided to conduct an experiment and see if using Smashwords and basic KDP together would assist me in finding readership. I'm giving it two months to see if there is any benefit at all.
Do any authors out there have any advice for my experiment?
October 20, 2015
Cover Stress
I pride myself on being self-sufficient when it comes to my book process, but this one's kicking my butt. I am nearly done; all I need to do edit one more time, decide on a title, and design a book cover. Editing and choosing a title won't be hard. The cover is something different entirely.
I don't want to pay for a cover design, but I can't manage to find the image I want. Maybe I'll cave in and look for a freelance cover artist, but that feels like a personal defeat.
I'm just venting right now. I'm sure that I'll figure something out eventually.
I don't want to pay for a cover design, but I can't manage to find the image I want. Maybe I'll cave in and look for a freelance cover artist, but that feels like a personal defeat.
I'm just venting right now. I'm sure that I'll figure something out eventually.
September 26, 2015
So... What's next?
There are so many ideas rolling around in my head right now that it's taken me a while to decide what I'm going to do next. Finally, after a month of starting a project then stopping it, I have an idea that I'm going to follow through with.
One of the main criticisms of my books is that the 'heat levels' are low. I have no problem writing graphic scenes, but I honestly prefer not to. I sometimes feel that I quickly overdo it with the explicit content. Sacred Sins was extremely explicit before I watered it down.
My newest work will have a little more spice for those that enjoy that sort of thing. The trick for me is finding the balance. I don't want those scenes overshadowing the story itself.
I look forward to releasing this book (title pending). Check Azure Books on Facebook for the latest news and previews as they become available.
One of the main criticisms of my books is that the 'heat levels' are low. I have no problem writing graphic scenes, but I honestly prefer not to. I sometimes feel that I quickly overdo it with the explicit content. Sacred Sins was extremely explicit before I watered it down.
My newest work will have a little more spice for those that enjoy that sort of thing. The trick for me is finding the balance. I don't want those scenes overshadowing the story itself.
I look forward to releasing this book (title pending). Check Azure Books on Facebook for the latest news and previews as they become available.
August 26, 2015
Program Eros
My latest book, Program Eros, will be available September 7th. Some stoke of inspiration overcame me a while back and out came this story. For preorder go to:
Program Eros
Robbie never had a normal life. His father was a software programmer that never even left his home office. His mother left him when he was only three. The part that made Robbie's life more complicated than his home life was the fact that he was gay. He struggled through every day, tortured by his classmates at the elite Fischer Creek Academy. He was a new student that met the crush of his life the moment he stepped into his first class. Robbie knew that he could never act on those feelings. He feared what would happen if he did. Then his father develops a flawed program that gives Robbie the power of the god of love, Eros. Everything will change as soon as Robbie uses that broken program.
Program Eros
Robbie never had a normal life. His father was a software programmer that never even left his home office. His mother left him when he was only three. The part that made Robbie's life more complicated than his home life was the fact that he was gay. He struggled through every day, tortured by his classmates at the elite Fischer Creek Academy. He was a new student that met the crush of his life the moment he stepped into his first class. Robbie knew that he could never act on those feelings. He feared what would happen if he did. Then his father develops a flawed program that gives Robbie the power of the god of love, Eros. Everything will change as soon as Robbie uses that broken program.
