Megg Jensen's Blog, page 19

Creating a Cover

One of my favorite aspects of going indie has been the control factor. Everyone who knows me will tell you what a control freak I am. When I was pursuing traditional (trad) publishing, I knew that I'd have little to no input on my cover.

What a bummer, right?

Don't you hate it when a cover totally misrepresents a book? The hair color is wrong, the clothes aren't even close and there have even been some books where the SKIN COLOR is wrong, like African-American main characters portrayed as Caucasians on the cover. That is so, so wrong.

I have a basic concept of where my cover is going and unless they're lying to me, my indie buddies agree with me - my cover is absolutely amazing. It's a black background (my favorite color, natch) and depicts a scene from my novel. It's fantastic and I can't wait until it's done so I can share it with you. It will be an amazing reveal (crap....sounding like reality shows again...)!

I've spent more time staring at the artwork than I should, really. I have to get back to revisions. None of this is worth it unless I have a book to share with you, right?

Using a Pen Name

I know what you're thinking - I'm e-pubbing and using a pen name. I'm obviously ashamed of my work. Right? Wrong.

For the people who know me in real life, I've been very honest about what I'm doing with books and the name I'm using. I posted about it on Facebook twice yesterday. Obviously I don't care if they know.

So why bother?

Easy. I've always wanted to be a superhero. Every good superhero has a secret identity. Oh wait a sec, I'm an author, not a hot chick with superpowers. Damn.

My real answers are simple...

First, I have a career as a freelance parenting journalist. I'd like to keep the two careers separate. My audiences could overlap, but if I'm being searched on Google for one, I don't need the other muddying up the results.

Second, I do a ton of volunteer work in real life. My real name is connected to that on the web as well. Just one more thing to pollute my search results.

Third, I like having a private life. Is that so wrong?

Wow, this reveal was a little boring, right? It's just something I felt I should get out of the way before moving on with my book-related posts.

I'm plowing ahead quickly and first on my list is cover art. I've discovered this amazing artist and I hope to employ her soon. In fact, I'm sending off an email today. This is where the book publishing gets fun! I have a great idea in my head and I hope it translates well to a cover!!!

An Introduction

Hey world! Today a new writer, Megg Jensen, was born.

Okay, I'm not new. I've been around the writing block a few times. I'm a successful freelance parenting journalist, but I'm about to embark on a new adventure - e-publishing a YA fantasy novel.

Why e-pubbing? Well, two of my books have been shopped around to agents. For those who requested to see my  book, I've had nearly the same response each time: "Your book is amazing." "Such an intriguing plot." "You're a great writer."

Ultimately many of their responses came down to the same thing: "It doesn't fit on any list."

After hearing that more times than I care to remember, I decided that maybe my book doesn't fit in to the traditional publishing box. These agents admitted I was a great writer, and let me tell you, agents are known for rejecting writers without saying a word, much less a compliment. Did the rejections hurt? Sure, but they didn't have to tell me I was a great writer or that my book was well-written. Those tidbits bolstered my confidence. But where was I supposed to go from there?

My most excellent friend, Karly Kirkpatrick, e-pubbed her first book, Into the Shadows, in 2010. It's an amazing book - a book that went through the same wringer mine did. But guess what? People are reading and buying her book, which is all she ever wanted.

It's all I ever wanted too. I write because the voices in my head won't shut up. I publish because I want to share those words with you, the reader. If I can't fit into the traditional model, fine. I'm not really a traditional girl anyway - I'm accustomed to being the oddball.

I hope you come along with me on this journey (OMG, that sounds so like The Bachelor - *vomit*). I'm guessing it will be a wild ride. What's coming up? Posts on why I'm using a pen name, a teaser for my first book and info how to start the wild e-pub ride.