Mistakes vs. Learning Opportunities

I've mentioned in a few places that I've made a decision to change the cover of ExtraNormal. The decision did not come easily, and I still wax and wane over it. (Now that I put that it writing I'm not absolutely sure what it means - doesn't waxing involve some type of housework?)

Anyway, I try to live by the philosophy that there are no mistakes, only learning opportunities. I also happen to have tons of learning opportunities. It's too early to tell the full story behind this particular one. There are contracts to sign and what not. But suffice it to say I will--hopefully--have an exciting announcement to make soon.

I can say that what I've learned is to be a bit leery of stock photos for covers. Not that they are inherently bad. Many great covers are made from stock photos. In fact, my former publisher used stock photos for my last incredible cover. But the downside is that it doesn't belong to you. Anyone can come along and use the same photo and BAM you're no longer original. Plus you might find your product being confused with something that makes you kind of uncomfortable.

In this case I'm grateful for the opportunity to come up with something a hundred times better. And we'll leave it at that.

In the meantime, I'm a little flummoxed. (Another word that looks funny in writing--isn't a flummox related to a cow?)  Anyway, for the last several weeks I've been working toward the goal of preparing my ARC. Well, wouldn't you know I finally have it ready, (hooray!) but I'm missing the little detail of a cover. That's not a huge problem. ARCs don't have to have a cover. But I'd like to include my announcement with the invite to read the ARC. Plus, I'm won't know how or when to schedule a blog tour until I know the date for my new cover reveal.

So after weeks of rush, rush, rush, I'm now trying to figure out what to do with my time. Not that there's any shortage of projects. They're just out of sequence from my original plan.

As you can see I've changed my blog header. (Photoshop is providing TONS of learning ops, bless it.). After writing this blog...I don't know. I'll figure it out. Hopefully whatever it is won't have too big of a learning curve.

Oh, and if you're a blogger who doesn't mind a cover-less read, let me know. I've got a fantastic ARC sitting here twiddling its thumbs.