Chris Baty's Blog, page 17
November 15, 2022
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 15
Day fifteen of 30 Covers, 30 Days is one full of excitement! Adventure novel In Midst of it All by Afiyah Kauthar introduces us to a journey fit for the big screen. This cover is designed by returning designer, Victoria Pickett.
Tohrun believes he is done with bounty hunting, until he is compelled to take up one last job. Sthrumein just wants to get out of the life he was born into, and Mirai is escaping from a cruel captor who calls himself her husband. Three lives, all aiming for the same destination: The Port City. With clashing ideals, dangerous enemies and frenzied feelings, the journey isn’t as easy as they hoped it would be.
My name is Afiyah Kauthar. I am a M.A graduate student pursuing Media and Communications. I’ve grown up devouring books of various genres. I’ve loved writing ever since I was in middle school. I wrote my first book ‘All The World’s A Stage’ at age fifteen and published it at age sixteen. My second book is called ‘Echo In The Wind’. My greatest inspirations as a writer are Enid Blyton and Rick Riordan.
About the DesignerVictoria Pickett is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Coastal Carolina University. Originally from Cleveland, OH she currently lives in Myrtle Beach, SC. This is her 4th year participating in NaNoWriMo and looks forward to November every year. She’s a type nerd and interested in how visual communication is informed by culture, ethnicity, language and society.
November 14, 2022
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 14
As week two of 30 Covers, 30 Days comes to a close, I’m sure some of you wish there was another you to do some work for you. That may not be the best scenario though. Horror/Supernatural novel Hush by Laura Cabral gives us some scares from a doppelganger. This cover is designed by Kim Weiner.
Alison Gilmer went to library school hoping to make an impact and do meaningful work. Three years after graduating and getting her dream job, she’s not sure that it was all worth it. Library patrons are difficult to work with after the pandemic, and her responsibilities are crushing her. Shouldering the work of two librarians, she’s burnt-out and not sure where she could go or what she wants to do.
After she idly wishes she could clone herself, strange things begin happening around the library. She finds that her book orders are already submitted and that someone has already pulled books from her weeding list. One of the volunteers, Susan, seems to be watching her closely. Patrons and coworkers refer to encounters with her that she can’t remember. At first, she chalks it up to stress, forgetfulness, and the fact that half of her coworkers are white brunettes who wear cardigans.
When something that looks just like her presents itself, she can no longer deny that something she previously thought impossible has happened. There is another her, living in the library. But Alison is sure she’s here to help, that there should be two librarians to do the work of two librarians. For a time, she coexists with her double, but the double begins to display strange appetites and predatory intent.
Alison knows she needs to do something. The double sneaks around the library, and she can’t always be there to protect her coworkers and library patrons from the ravenous thing that wears her face. As patrons begin togo missing, Alison knows she can’t deal with the double alone. She isn’t even sure she can kill it. But it turns out that Susan knows something about what’s going on…
Laura Cabral lives in southern California, where she spends most of her time avoiding sunlight and adding to the list of things that scare her. You can find her short story, “The Light from Windows,” on the NoSleep podcast. You can’t find her anywhere else though, no one can.
Kim is a motion focused animator, illustrator, and art director living in NYC. She received her BFA in Animation from the Rhode Island School of Design and Masters in Branding from the School of Visual Arts. Her work captures her range of passions across the fields of 2d animation, technology, and storytelling. You can find her work at https://kimweiner.com.
November 13, 2022
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 13
I’m sure some of you have fallen in love with a supervillain. What happens when the superhero does the same? Day thirteen of 30 Covers, 30 Days brings us Romance novel My Lovely Villain by YWP Participant Lev Silver! This cover was designed by returning designer, Kevin Perry, who also provided a mock-up.
Hero versus villain. It’s a classic showdown—thanks to the city of Newhurst, it’s now a worldwide commercialized sport; a modern gladiator fight. And for those with superpowers, playing is the only option. Supremely morally-conscious hero Theo Sparks (alias: Silver Angel, for his wings) must fight Caspian Hunt (alias: Schrödinger), a chaotic shapeshifting villain with an affinity for cats. But at night, when they’re not on camera battling in the streets of Newhurst for entertainment, something unexpected is happening: Theo and Cas are falling for each other.
Lev is an avid writer who hopes to one day actually finish a novel and publish it. They love creating stories with villain protagonists and morally grey characters. When not writing, they can be found thinking about getting a chapter done, or researching realistic injuries for one of their many fight scenes.
Kevin Perry is a designer, educator and organizational leader. He currently oversees talent and operations at Struck, an internationally acclaimed creative agency whose clients include the Utah Office of Tourism, Universal Studios, Snowbird and Nickelodeon. Kevin has long been involved in the local and national design community, serving in AIGA leadership, cofounding Salt Lake Design Week, and teaching at the University of Utah. Kevin’s calm and confidence are contagious. He finds inspiration in the far-flung wilds of the dusty American West—and in the feel of the summer night air of Salt Lake City streets as he cruises on his trusty e-bike.
November 12, 2022
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 12
If no one will change the world, you might as well do it yourself! For day twelve of 30 Covers 30 Days, we have Science Fiction novel Nobody Dies Forever by Stephen T. Brophy! This cover was designed by returning designer, Courtney Glancy.
A ragtag group of misfit Gen-Xers who’ve been in each other’s orbits since high school once vowed to change the world for the better. Now facing down the enemies of dashed dreams and diminishing time, they’re going to make a last ditch effort by pulling off the greatest heist in human history: kidnapping the ten wealthiest people on Earth. The ransom? Fix the damn planet!
The author has chosen to keep their secret identity!
Courtney is an award-winning creative director based in Charm City. She works across all facets of design and strategy, with a particular love for brand, digital spaces, and design thinking. An industry veteran of nearly two decades, there are few challenges she hasn’t tackled — but she’s always looking for the next one. She has worked with clients of all types and sizes, from small local nonprofits to large international NGOs. Courtney also served as Programming Director for AIGA Baltimore for three years, during which time she led the conception and creation of the chapter’s annual Design Week. She frequently can be found peering through the viewfinder of a vintage film camera, cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, or doting on her three darling cat-kids.
November 11, 2022
Seasoned Romance: A Great NaNoWriMo Project
Years ago, I read an article by a Romance author in her fifties advising her sister Romance writers that if they wanted to be published, they should create characters in their twenties. Shades of the Bronte sisters, forced to take male pen names! Fortunately, times have changed. With so many Romance readers past midlife, publishers have caught on and created a category called “Seasoned Romance.”
The Personal is Political
Ageism is not exactly news to anyone over fifty. And studies have shown that a positive attitude about aging helps us live longer and healthier. Telling stories about the vivid lives of people our age is essential. If we want to change the cultural narrative, we are the ones to do it.
Why Seasoned Romance?
By now, we have lived the role of romance character several times. We have known all kinds of people and witnessed their romantic fortunes. Autofiction was made for us: Mixing people, situations, and settings can lead to fascinating Romance.
Plus, you get to write about sex. And Romance novels tend to be on the short side—perfect for NaNoWriMo. Not to mention, Romance sells a lot—more than Mystery and Science Fiction combined.
Sex, money, and dishing your exes: what’s not to like?
How to Write Romance?
Not every story that includes romance is a “Romance.” The genre expectations look like this:
Three Act Structure: Here’s a typical setup for a Romance novel.
But wait—I hear you say: Isn’t that awfully formulaic? Sure, but so is a sonnet. Structure can be liberating.
Victorians were scandalized by early Romance novels because they highlighted female passion. Yet the genre became the stereotyped province of thin, young, white, able-bodied heroines. More recently, it’s broadened to include stories about LGBTQ+ characters, polyamorous characters, and characters of color (Stacey Abrams writes Romance under the pen name Selena Montgomery). And with the advent of Seasoned Romance, we Writers of a Certain Age can tell vivid stories about characters like us.
Stella Fosse writes stories of vibrant women and teaches about writing boldly after midlife. Her books include:
She has taught romance writing through Secure Senior Connections.
Stella blogs at www.stellafosse.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter , LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 11
Don’t open that box! For day eleven of 30 Covers, 30 Days, we’re here with Horror/Supernatural novel The Demon Box by YWP educator Ljm! This cover was designed by Jessie McGuire.
Two high school boys discover a mysterious box that, when they open it, unleashes an unimaginable horror on they’re small mountain town…
The boys will have to summon all their courage and cleverness to defeat the evil that threatens their homes, their families…
Their very life.
I am a high school creative writing teacher and a father for who loves stories! So much can be learned from the actions and the struggles of characters. I love to see my young students spread their creative wingsand find and give life to the stories that are within them. I love their braveness and confidence. I have participated in NaNoWriMo for several years and this is my third year in a row of running the youth writing program. This year we’re going for half a million words, with over 110 kids in my NaNo group.
Jessie McGuire is the Managing Partner at brand design studioThoughtMatter, leading a diverse team of artists, writers and strategists to create daring designs and identities for global brands, local communities, art museums and foundations, institutions and non-profits. This cover was designed as a true studio collaboration. Jessie is a mother of two dedicated to amplifying thevoices of young people and designing a world where everyone belongs. Inaddition, she has spent over a decade transforming billion-dollar brands.
November 10, 2022
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 10
For day ten of 30 Covers, 30 Days, we’re reminded that falling in love is a journey of its own. LGBTQ+ novel no heart for me like yours by nicolet is here to explore complex topics. This beautiful cover was designed by Michael Shirey.
Despite living in a world where 90% of the population finds love by the names on their wrists, there are still taboos to navigate through in a small town where Aariz and Zhenyu lives. Their love will not be accepted, not when Zhenyu doesn’t have Aariz’s name even when the latter has his. Aariz doesn’t even know if he likes Zhenyu that way. Can’t they just stay as friends? A coming-of-age novel about falling in love, the pain of racial discrimination and family values.
Nic is a Medical Doctor working in Malaysia who is struggling to redefine their sense of self. They’re trying to find a way to balance the demands of work and also write stories that’ll heal the mind and soul. NaNoWriMo 2022 is their return to writing novels again after 10 years. They write best with Lofi Girl’s playlist as background music.
About the DesignerMichael Shirey is honored to have been invited to design a cover for NaNoWriMo! He is an award-winning visual designer and strategist based in New York City. He has over 10 years of experience working across many sectors, including national and local nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and socially-driven businesses across the country. You canfind out more about Michael at michaelshirey.com.
November 9, 2022
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 9
Day nine of 30 Covers, 30 Days will require you to bring out your banjos. You’ll understand in a bit. The Satire/Humor novel Bloodsucking Webworms of Paradise by Steve Sullivanis a fun twist on sci-fi horror! This cover was designed by returning designer, Christopher Simmons, who generously designed a mock-up as well!
A small town is infested with bloodsucking caterpillars that like country music.
Steve Sullivan is a rookie novelist who spent most of the past 40 years as a multimedia journalist in newsrooms in Chicago and Baltimore. Steve is an avid fan of old sci-fi and horror movies, crime fiction and baseball. He and his wife, Marcy Baer, live in Towson, Maryland with a dog and three cats. Fun fact: Steve is incredibly grossed out by worms, caterpillars and other small, wiggly creatures.
About the DesignerChristopher Simmons is a designer, author, artist, occasional hamburger blogger, and a former curator of NaNoWriMo’s 30 Days/30 Covers project. His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries ranging from The Hiroshima Museum of Contemporary Art to the de Young Museum in San Francisco to The Smithsonian Institution. He has written four books and designed considerably more.
November 8, 2022
Four Traps that can Kill your NaNoWriMo Novel
Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. Dabble, a 2022 NaNoWriMo sponsor, is an easy-to-use writing tool that lets you organize, plot, and create amazing stories. Today, Dabbler Robert Smith shares some tips on how to avoid some common writing pitfalls:
Writing a novel is a journey that can be fraught with peril, challenges, and obstacles. Like any good adventurer, it’s best to be prepared for the traps that lay ahead.
1. DistractionsWe’ve all been there: we planned out time to write, but then macaroni explodes in the microwave and all that time is suddenly gone. Or maybe that’s just me.
Regardless of the pyrotechnic capabilities or your cheesy pasta, you’ve probably found yourself distracted from writing before.
There are tons of studies proving how distractions tear down our ability to perform. The best thing you can do is remove as many distractions from your environment as possible. Here’s how to do it:
Set up your writing space to be boring (but not uninspiring!).
You can’t write effectively with a movie on.You can’t write effectively while talking to someone.You can’t write effectively while cleaning up macaroni.Leave tech elsewhere.
You don’t need your phone while writing (unless you’re writing on it).Hide your most distracting items far away from your writing space.Turn off pop-up notifications on your laptop, especially email.Set your writing app to focus mode.
You just need to be alone with your words and notes.Dabble automatically fades to focus mode when you write.2. PerfectionismThis one can get the best of even the most experienced writers. When you’re writing a draft, let it be a draft.
Some people will have a higher tolerance for their own grammar mistakes than others. But, if you find yourself grinding to a halt each writing session just so you can rephrase each sentence to achieve beautiful prose, you’re probably letting perfectionism kill your novel. Here are some tips to get past perfectionism:
Turn off grammar and spell check.
I know that this sounds blasphemous, but it really can help with momentum.You can toggle these on and off super quickly in Dabble.Set some “no backspace” time.
This one can be even scarier than the last.This strategy also gets easier with practice.3. Imposter SyndromeSo you’re all set for those words to flow and that book to come to life. Then even more macaroni erupts in the microwave. You don’t know where all this pasta keeps coming from, and suddenly you’re convinced you’ll never be a writer.
Okay that might just be me again, but you know what I’m talking about. Especially with creative endeavors, imposter syndrome plagues our minds. Here are some tips to get past it:
Read more drafts.
You are probably comparing your work in draft form to completed novels.Find a writing group to read more drafts and gain community support.Look up what your favorite authors have said about the drafting process.Edit your work.
If you’re having trouble believing you’re a good writer, take some time to polish your writing.This might help you prove to yourself that you’re better than you think.Be careful not to let this kill your writing momentum.4. Messy ProcessWe’ve all been there: notes, pages, and ideas all spread between desks, journals, and apps. It can get messier than a (two-time) macaroni-covered microwave.
Have you ever had an amazing idea, written it down, and then never found that note again? I know I have.
It’s worth taking the time to consider the time cost of each step in your process, from generating ideas to editing your manuscript. Here are some tips:
Write down each step in your process.
Look for steps that can be condensedLook for better processesKeep everything in one place.
The best way to make sure you always have what you need is to keep it all together.Dabble is organized into projects where you can store images, links, notes, plot points, and your manuscript all together.Make sure it’s a place you can access anywhere (like Dabble). You don’t want to lose ideas.Now go forth and conquer! May your words be plenty and your stories ring true.
Robert Smith is a Dabbling Writer, and a Writing Dabbler.
All NaNoWriMo participants can use the discount code NANOWRIMO22 for 20% off 1 year of Dabble!
Top photo by Thomas Franke on Unsplash.
30 Covers, 30 Days 2022: Day 8
It’s day eight of 30 Covers, 30 Days! Time sure flies, but don’t forget to cherish the little moments, okay? Literary novel Dandelion Wishes by Taylor G. White is here to inspire hope. This beautiful cover was designed by returning designer, Alberto Rigau!
9:11pm, the rain fell and rippled in dark puddles scattered across the sides of the road, making the reflection of the street lamps dance in disarray to nature’s song. Ashley stood there and blinked, having just been stood up by an online date.
The image had permanently lodged itself in her memory as the pivotal moment that changed the course of her life. No fantastical adventures needed, navigating new adult friendships and rekindling her love for life is more than enough for any mid life crisis. From a coffee date with her mother to confessing secrets to her high school crush, the ordinary becomes extraordinary if you spend enough time cultivating it into something beautiful.
Taylor is a young adult with a deep passion for one too many things in life, most likely stemming from the ADHD. Being bigender and pansexual cost him his country of origin, family, and friends, while simultaneously teaching him how to celebrate the little things in life. Now married and responsible for three tiny humans, he spends most of his time trying to write something as beautiful as he finds the world, or connecting with chosen family.
About the DesignerAlberto Rigau is a freelance designer & co-chair for AIGA’s Design Educators Community (DEC). Alberto currently engages in practice from his home studio in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He crafts and conceptualizes brands, exhibits, way-finding systems, publications, books, photographic projects, and architectural collaborations of an interpretative nature. Alberto carried out his graduate studies at NC State University’s College of Design and undergraduate experience at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He teaches graphic design, most recently teaching for NC State University.
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