Suzanne Sweeney's Blog, page 5
July 28, 2013
July 27, 2013
Final Cover Revealed!
Hours turned into days and days turned into weeks as I worked to perfect the cover design for “Running Back to You”. I prefer to do my own artwork (yes, as my husband will tell you – I have lots of control issues), so a lot of effort went into its design.
The members of GoodReads have so much information and advice for anyone willing to do the work to find it. For example, I learned that some authors who use people on their covers have found their images duplicated on other books, too. That’s mostly because there are a limited number of online sites selling stock photography. I wanted to make sure that my cover was unique and not easily duplicated.
My next challenge was to come up with a concept that could be changed slightly for sequels. One thing that bothers me is a sequel that looks nothing like the original. I also had to find a way to let the reader know it’s a romance. There is another book with a similar title, but that book is of a religious nature, and I didn’t want there to be any confusion about the genre!
With all of those parameters in mind, I think I’ve come up with a great image. I hope it’s appealing enough to attract readers and get them to at least read the blurb.
July 4, 2013
Beta Readers
FanFiction defines Beta Readers as, “a person who reads a work of fiction with a critical eye, with the aim of improving grammar, spelling, characterization, and general style of a story prior to its release to the general public.”
As a novice to the world of publishing, I was completely naïve about the importance and value of Beta Readers. The internet is full of blogs and book sites rich with information and helpful advice. It was on the website, GoodReads, that I found a community of avid readers willing to assist me in making the changes needed to change a good book into a great novel.
Sending out beta versions of my book was a very frightening risk for me. I was sending out my unpublished book to strangers, placing my trust and faith in people I have never met, to help me polish and shine my novel without any compensation other than appreciation and, perhaps, appropriate credit. I also had to trust that my novel would not end up in the hands of someone whose intentions were less scrupulous. To the best of my knowledge, I have only met and worked with the most sincere and earnest bookies I could have ever wished for.
My first critique came from Marci F on GoodReads who had only four suggestions for change and nothing but kind words for “Running Back to You”. She said, “Omg omg I loved this book,tell me we get to see the future do get married have kids … I love all the characters they mesh well with each other. I seriously could not put this book down. It had everything drama, action, love, romance, [hell] it even gave me goose bumps, butterflies i am so excited for this book.” Of course, I wanted my book to be good and I hoped people would like it, but I didn’t expect to get such a positive response right out of the gates.
My next critique came from Dani B. (also from GoodReads) who said, “First off before I answer your questions I want to say it was an absolute joy to read this book! I couldn’t stop reading it. I hated that it ended.” Wow! More and more Beta Readers were responding with praise and flattery. Lorraine D., Laurie S., Tammy S., Mary M., Beth M., and Maria T. gave me more helpful suggestions.
All in all, I sent my book to over 60 willing recipients. About twenty have responded and nearly thirty have posted their reviews and ratings on GoodReads. As of today, the average rating (on a scale of 1-5) is a whopping 4.83! I would like to offer all the Beta Readers and ARC readers a heart-felt thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my first novel with all of you and for sharing your insights and thoughtful critiques with me.
~Suzanne
