Kate Bloomfield's Blog, page 9
July 18, 2012
Flamethroat (Chapter One)
Make sure you read the prologue first! See it here: Flamethroat Prologue Flamethroat (Book 2: The Fire Mage Trilogy) - Chapter One
June 29, 2012
June 27, 2012
How to Design a Best-Selling Book Cover
This is for those writers out there who have a keen eye when it comes to aesthetics. There's only one thing you need: Photoshop. If you have this program, you can do anything. Design your own sexy book cover.
Is there a recurring theme when you look at books in the top 100 lists? You will find that most book covers are not cram packed with detail. They will have one object of focus. I met one man who wanted me to design his book cover, and he wanted SO many things in it.
"Must have a girl with brown hair, shoulder length, with a red streak through the front. She must be wearing jeans, a black belt, and a pink top. In her right hand there must be a pair of handcuffs made out of smoke, and in the other, the tail of a dragon. She must have a mischeivious smile. In the background there must be a handsome latin man with a tattoo on his left arm.'
That was his brief. Nightmare. Too many things going on. Too many symbols.
When thinking of a book cover, you must focus on a single symbolic thing, whether it be an item or a person.
When I buy books, the first thing I notice is an excellent cover. I will be more inclined to pick up a book if it is good looking.
Take these books for example. (Please note: I do not like Twilight. Just the cover.)
Twilight
Fire
Frost Arch
Yes, I snuck my own book in there. (tee-hee). But you see what I'm getting at. These books have 1 main focus - and limited colour pallets.
Twilight uses stark red.
You can see 'Fire' uses soft greens with stark red.
Frost Arch uses deep blacks and blues.
So. When considering a book cover for your novel/eBook, please do not make the mistake that so many others do.
1. KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
2. Use limited colour pallet.
3. Make sure the title is ledgible as a thumbnail
4. Don't use too many elements. Busy covers are ugly!
If you can't design your own cover, there are many many artists out there who will create something amazing for you. Some will even do it between $50-$100. (ahem.me.ahem)
If you're looking for a cover designer, try these sites:
1. www.freelancer.com.au
2. www.deviantart.com
Here's my work. Just in case ... ya know ;)
www.katebloomfield.deviantart.com/gallery/
Is there a recurring theme when you look at books in the top 100 lists? You will find that most book covers are not cram packed with detail. They will have one object of focus. I met one man who wanted me to design his book cover, and he wanted SO many things in it.
"Must have a girl with brown hair, shoulder length, with a red streak through the front. She must be wearing jeans, a black belt, and a pink top. In her right hand there must be a pair of handcuffs made out of smoke, and in the other, the tail of a dragon. She must have a mischeivious smile. In the background there must be a handsome latin man with a tattoo on his left arm.'
That was his brief. Nightmare. Too many things going on. Too many symbols.
When thinking of a book cover, you must focus on a single symbolic thing, whether it be an item or a person.
When I buy books, the first thing I notice is an excellent cover. I will be more inclined to pick up a book if it is good looking.
Take these books for example. (Please note: I do not like Twilight. Just the cover.)
Twilight
Fire
Frost ArchYes, I snuck my own book in there. (tee-hee). But you see what I'm getting at. These books have 1 main focus - and limited colour pallets.
Twilight uses stark red.
You can see 'Fire' uses soft greens with stark red.
Frost Arch uses deep blacks and blues.
So. When considering a book cover for your novel/eBook, please do not make the mistake that so many others do.
1. KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
2. Use limited colour pallet.
3. Make sure the title is ledgible as a thumbnail
4. Don't use too many elements. Busy covers are ugly!
If you can't design your own cover, there are many many artists out there who will create something amazing for you. Some will even do it between $50-$100. (ahem.me.ahem)
If you're looking for a cover designer, try these sites:
1. www.freelancer.com.au
2. www.deviantart.com
Here's my work. Just in case ... ya know ;)
www.katebloomfield.deviantart.com/gallery/
Next Project: Jack's point of view.
If you have read 'Frost Arch', you might be familiar with the character 'Jack Greenwood'. (Picture on the left is my own version of him).You might also be aware that Book #2 (Flamethroat) is due for release on August 1st, 2012.
Before I start writing Book #3 (Untitled at the moment) I thought I might indulge in a small project, and write a short story (under 7,000 words) from Jack's point of view, which will be free for my readers. :) I'm not sure which point in time I will focus on just yet.
If Jack's short story is successful, I might also do one from Ræven's point of view. (Before she met Avalon).
Follow this blog for updates. Short stories will be posted here!
June 26, 2012
Flamethroat is finished!
I have finished writing Flamethroat (book 2: The Fire Mage Trilogy), now I have to re-read it a few times, and fix some things up before sending it to my editor!
It is 75,000 words (So it's shorter than Frost Arch) But I think it is much better!
Release date is August 1st!
It is 75,000 words (So it's shorter than Frost Arch) But I think it is much better!
Release date is August 1st!
June 21, 2012
Get a FREE eBOOK -only 5!-
FREE EBOOK! That's right!MORE FREEBIES!
Simply enter one of the following codes into this URL:
www.amazon.com/acceptgift
Codes: GSDEAGU2G8T4B5C GSDT8KGEW5CB53P
GSCHQ6Y5VPKNPYG GSXJWF4553ASEHV
GSX7J3HEURV5QRR
ONLY 5 AVAILABLE. EACH CODE IS GOOD FOR ONE USE ONLY.I'LL CROSS THEM OFF AS THEY ARE TAKEN.
Quick! Enter one before someone else takes it!
Simply enter one of the following codes into this URL:
www.amazon.com/acceptgift
Codes: GSDEAGU2G8T4B5C GSDT8KGEW5CB53P
GSCHQ6Y5VPKNPYG GSXJWF4553ASEHV
GSX7J3HEURV5QRR
ONLY 5 AVAILABLE. EACH CODE IS GOOD FOR ONE USE ONLY.I'LL CROSS THEM OFF AS THEY ARE TAKEN.
Quick! Enter one before someone else takes it!
June 18, 2012
It's Official! New Flamethroat Cover!
You guys told me what you liked, so here it is, the official Flamethroat book cover!
Flamethroat page-count update
332 pagesso far
New Flamethroat book cover
So, I have designed a new mock-up book cover for Flamethroat (due out in August).
I was wondering what you guys preferred. Comment with your preference.
Check out the options:
No.1
No.2
I was wondering what you guys preferred. Comment with your preference.
Check out the options:
No.1
No.2
June 12, 2012
Fan-Gasm
I have a new celebrity crush.
This is Tom Hiddleston, and I want to have his babies.
He played Loki, in Thor, and the Avengers.
I am tempted to write some Loki / Reader fan-fiction and post it on this blog/tumblr.
What do you think?
This is Tom Hiddleston, and I want to have his babies.
He played Loki, in Thor, and the Avengers.
I am tempted to write some Loki / Reader fan-fiction and post it on this blog/tumblr.
What do you think?
