Theodore’s Comments (group member since Apr 01, 2017)

Theodore’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Angel wrote: "R.L. wrote: "I def don't think you should attack a reviewer regardless of what you get from them. I wouldn't engage with her if I were you. It only makes her look bad if it's one sided."

Oops! I t..."

Showing up at a person's home with the intent to intimidate is "assault." I'd enjoy filing charges against them with the local police.

Theodore wrote: "Erica wrote: "I have had trouble with reds too. My bright red tricyle is sometimes a dull brownish red tricyle. I feel it is more of a vibrancy issue. CMYK seems to be closer to a true representati..."

Okay...I think I have cracked the code...at least as far as my blue cover is concerned.

The problem apparently had to do with the conversion of my RGB cover to the printer's CMYK file (though why some of the files I submitted (which were developed in an identical manner) printed better than others still remains a puzzle to me). In any event, mindful that the problem was the amount of red in the cover, and further, that I needed a blue with a good separation between the C and M values in the CMYK constitute colors (a separation of at least 30 points, better 40 points), I settled on trying Pantone 286 for the cover. This "color" has values of C 100%, M 60%, Y 0%, and K 6%. It translates into RGB values of R 0, G 96, and B 240.

Redoing the cover in PSE 9 (yes...I'm a bit behind in update my software) using these RGB values, yielded a brilliant blue cover (see below) that both in proof and on the CreateSpace Website listing appears as I intended.



The lesson learned is that if you're thinking of creating a cover with significant blue elements, consider carefully the RGB values you use (minimize red to the maximum extent possible) or employ other cover/color options that may be available to you.

First, thanks for supporting Alyssa and me (one and the same, of course) on these weekly competitions. This week’s submissions are interesting.

Alyssa submitted one that honors three friends from Milwaukee with whom I grew up as a teenager: Tom M., Joe M., and Chuck G. We studied for our Amateur Radio licenses together and lived each day with electrons running through our blood. What better way to remember them than to use their names (well, their first names) in a story…and one that mentions radio, too.

My submission involves a hypothetical discussion between Louis Carroll and the Reverend Robinson Duckworth, DD, CVO, VD, (4 December 1834 – 20 September 1911). You remember the Reverend; he’s “the Duck” in Alice’s Adventures Under Ground. The fact is, this may not have been a hypothetical exchange at all!

You can read the stories here. They’re only 250 words long, a blink of an eye.

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

Then, vote here, if you would, either for Theodore Jerome Cohen or Alyssa Devine…whoever’s story strikes your fancy.

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

Voting closes on Thursday at 8 PM, EDST.

As always, thanks for your support.

Erica wrote: "I have had trouble with reds too. My bright red tricyle is sometimes a dull brownish red tricyle. I feel it is more of a vibrancy issue. CMYK seems to be closer to a true representation of the fini..."

Just to bring you up to date...it's been a month since I first alerted CS to the problem...and I'm still getting "Our technical support people are looking at the problem." Boy howdy, that must be some technical support group! Obviously, I haven't gotten to the "right" person yet. May call again this coming Friday and see if it's possible to escalate to a supervisor. As well, they owe me a redo on a 6-book order on which the covers, which were supposed to be blue, came out light purple. CS quality control is not good!!!

Judy wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Erica wrote: "Congratulations Ted! That is great news!"

Thanks, Erica. I had almost forgotten about entering...they were running late on the announcement this year. Very happy!"

..."

Thanks, Judy...much appreciated.

Erica wrote: "Congratulations Ted! That is great news!"

Thanks, Erica. I had almost forgotten about entering...they were running late on the announcement this year. Very happy!

R.L. wrote: "Congrats Theo"

Thanks, R.L. (;>)

Carole wrote: "Great and well-deserved news!!"

I know you understand well how it feels! (;>)

Thanks, Carole.

Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Just announced:

Pepe Builds a Nest
Winner: Best Children’s Illustrated
4th Annual Pacific Book Awards 2017

I could not be more pleased, given the importance of this little book f..."

Thanks, Eldon. Much appreciated.

Just announced:

Pepe Builds a Nest
Winner: Best Children’s Illustrated
4th Annual Pacific Book Awards 2017

I could not be more pleased, given the importance of this little book for K-3 (anti-bulling, illustrated storybook in verse). The book is available in English, Spanish, and French.

C.L. wrote: "Chemistry won the Humor category of the IndieReader Discovery Awards today, and Carole P Roman's Rocket-Bye won in Children's Fiction! Yaaay!
https://indiereader.com..."

Wow! Congratulations, Carole.

Just a quick note to say "thanks" for helping me win last week's Flash Fiction competition. Here's the announcement and winning short story:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

Thanks, all. Amazing what can be found by just poking around on the Internet.

Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) wrote: "Great article. I agree completely. Thank you for sharing, Theodore. Hugs"

Thanks, Sam. Have a great weekend.

I found this article on the BBC Website; very interesting.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170...

Carole wrote: "shared!!"

Thank you so much. This one was actually more fun!

Hey, Guys and Gals,

If you have a moment and want to have some fun, here are two more pieces of Flash Fiction, one from me, and, well, another from me writing as Alyssa Devine.

They are as different as they can be. Both have been entered into this week’s Flash Fiction competition. So please vote for your favorite.

The “prompt” was a picture of old missiles arrayed in the desert (probably some place in Arizona, the boneyard for things of flight). But I’m thinking out of the box…missiles, arrows, slings…going back to the true definition of “missile.” You get the picture (at least in my mind).

For some reason, the prompt evoked thoughts of Shakespeare’s Hamlet: ”slings and arrows”…“outrageous fortune”… “troubles.” (see below) Thus was born the short (250-word) story I (Ted) posted for this week’s Flash Fiction competition. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Alyssa’s story takes a completely different path. See of you can figure out who (what) the suitor is, and who (what) is the object of the suiter’s attention before you get to the tragic end. If you like this story better, then give Alyssa your vote.

Here’s where you can read the stories:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

And here’s where to vote:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...

Voting opens to the public on Wednesday, 5/31/2017, and will remain open until 8:00 PM, EDST, Thursday.

I’ll let you know what happens!!!

Thank, as always, for your support of independent writers.

Ted (and Alyssa)

PS Here’s some background for consideration:

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

The story on which Hamlet is based was an ancient one; versions of it are found in Byzantine, Greek, and Roman myth*. The Danish story probably came to Shakespeare through an earlier play, now lost.

Rorik was real enough, a viking who (among other things*) was King of Jutland. But Rorik's grandson, Amleth, was a figure of legend rather than history, a heroic avenger who outsmarted his rivals and ended up with two wives. Rorik's daughter, Gerutha, was given in marriage to his favourite, Horwendil, whose son was Amleth (Hamlet). . . and the legend begins.

Act III, Scene 1
Elsinore. A room in the Castle.
Hamlet. To be, or not to be- that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer 1750
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them. To die- to sleep-
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks 1755
That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation

By the way, regarding Alyssa’s story, can you figure out who the suitor is and who is the object of his affections?

I definitely love the mornings and the late evenings...when everything and everybody is quiet.

Eldon wrote: ""That" tends to be another useless word in most cases."

That often is true...though there are exceptions. (;>)

Excellent article, to be sure. The only copies I give away these days are to the teachers who invite me to read my books to their classes, to family, and to close friends. As for the rest: "In G_d we trust, the rest pay cash!"