Michael Tappenden's Blog, page 2
June 2, 2015
Podcast
To my creaking analogue and mechanical brain, 'podcast' seems quite sweet and organic, rather like a small bud opening up into the big outside world. A little uncertain but hopeful. Sounds about right. S'pose I could look it up on the Googlething but that might spoil my perception. Anyway I now do have a podcast on Itunes courtesy of Simon Denman at Readers in the Know. I must admit that when writing I always read my efforts aloud. Makes a huge difference and often results in my changing what I have written, so it seems to be a natural progression to now have an audio version. Simon does a good job but Benedict Cumberbatch would be better...I wonder?
If you want to hear it (and apparently Simon's podcasts are currently number one in the 'things new and interesting' on Itunes) you can find it at - readersintheknow.com/podcast/56.
Let me know what you think.Michael Tappenden
If you want to hear it (and apparently Simon's podcasts are currently number one in the 'things new and interesting' on Itunes) you can find it at - readersintheknow.com/podcast/56.
Let me know what you think.Michael Tappenden
June 12, 2014
Front covers
I have decided to change the front cover. I suppose in the excitement of my debut publication I lost sight of its credibilty. Strange when you consider the professionalism and minute attention to detail of the editing and proofreading process and the considered approach to design, layout and typography, that the front cover should largely be an 'off the shelf' image. Worse when you consider that the author practised as a graphic designer and worse still as a design lecturer.
OK my sales director (if I had one) would point out the need for a front cover to attract readers and sell books and my marketing director (if I had one) would point out the need to direct the cover at a specific audience and all that's true, but for me its more than that.
There is a potent history of book cover design. Look at Alvin Lustig in the 1940s, Ben Jones' design for Orwell's 1984, the iconic Female Eunuch by John Holmes in 1970, the quality of Picador covers (see American Psycho, 1991)the fearlessness of Penguin (see the 40th Anniversary edition of the Fear of Flying) and much much more. Who wouldn't want to be part of that.
The current aesthetic for royalty free, off the shelf, 'that'll do' often photographic images with over-large type shouting at you is not only not pretty, it's also not very thoughtful (it's also a bit of an insult to the reader as part of the instant, sensational, in yer face culture that we have to tolerate today).
My new book cover tells a story. Asks questions. Teases your intellect. Looks good. I like it. It feels now as if the book is complete. I can sleep at night.
OK my sales director (if I had one) would point out the need for a front cover to attract readers and sell books and my marketing director (if I had one) would point out the need to direct the cover at a specific audience and all that's true, but for me its more than that.
There is a potent history of book cover design. Look at Alvin Lustig in the 1940s, Ben Jones' design for Orwell's 1984, the iconic Female Eunuch by John Holmes in 1970, the quality of Picador covers (see American Psycho, 1991)the fearlessness of Penguin (see the 40th Anniversary edition of the Fear of Flying) and much much more. Who wouldn't want to be part of that.
The current aesthetic for royalty free, off the shelf, 'that'll do' often photographic images with over-large type shouting at you is not only not pretty, it's also not very thoughtful (it's also a bit of an insult to the reader as part of the instant, sensational, in yer face culture that we have to tolerate today).
My new book cover tells a story. Asks questions. Teases your intellect. Looks good. I like it. It feels now as if the book is complete. I can sleep at night.
September 24, 2013
Hi (formerly Hallo or was it Hello)
Hi.Now there's a word that has swept silently across the UK affecting (some would say infecting) the entire population save for some diehard elders, academics and Royalty. Good though. I suspect more people now greet each other in this easy way than did before and its very difficult to make any attempt at social distinction with a one syllable word.
Anyway, I currently find myself stumbling around places like Twitterland which seems to be one of a plethora of states in a very weird universe (and usually with a headache). The language is familiar but also at times incomprehensible or not very useful. Reminds me of my first visit to unforgiving Paris with my O level. 'Bonjour. My aunt's postillion has been struck by lightning.'
Never mind. I'll get there.
Pegasus to Paradise
Anyway, I currently find myself stumbling around places like Twitterland which seems to be one of a plethora of states in a very weird universe (and usually with a headache). The language is familiar but also at times incomprehensible or not very useful. Reminds me of my first visit to unforgiving Paris with my O level. 'Bonjour. My aunt's postillion has been struck by lightning.'
Never mind. I'll get there.
Pegasus to Paradise
