S.E.’s Comments (group member since Jan 16, 2013)

S.E.’s comments from the S. E. Lund - Author group.

A new set of choices from my graphic designer:

Comments please!

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❃ Brandy ❃ wrote: "Hello, everyone!!! Sorry, I've been laying low for the past couple of months, but I think it's safe to say, I'm back.... For the most part anyway. I love the covers on this page... Too many to c..."

Welcome back! You are in!

Paris (kerbytejas) wrote: "S.E. wrote: "Hey all you beta readers -- I am holding on to the draft at least until the 23rd. Although I finished the draft, I decided I needed a couple of scenes added in so I will be writing tho..."

At this point in the process of reviewing the novel, I'm still trying to make sure there is rising action / tension that is adequately resolved at the end and all or most of the threads were tied up. I noticed that a few threads were still too open so time to go back and lace them up. ;)

Hey all you beta readers -- I am holding on to the draft at least until the 23rd. Although I finished the draft, I decided I needed a couple of scenes added in so I will be writing those, putting the draft to rest for a couple of days and then sending it out after a once-over on my Kindle to see how it reads.

Thanks for your patience and for those of you who agreed to beta read. If you want to and haven't already signed up, send me an email! selund@gmail dot com.

Charlene wrote: "S.E. wrote: "So what cover would you prefer? I'm thinking of two possible ideas: one is to revise The Agreement to have a new cover that is more sensual with actual people in an embrace or stick wi..."

Thanks Charlene -- I think I'm going to have new covers made and see if there is any response to them. I don't know how changing a cover will affect readers, but it will be an interesting experiment. :)

Katya wrote: "


Not this photo but the image:
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Woo hoo! Those are amazingly hot!

I just sent those three pics off to my cover designer. Will see what he comes up with! I really like those models and could be happy with covers using those poses. Thanks for feedback -- we'll see what he comes up with.

Paris (kerbytejas) wrote: "IMO - the one on the left is too busy with the text, and the one on the right is a better pic between the two but still to busy with the text.
also for me they don't ooze sex, they look staged

but..."

I like the one on the left better than the right.

Here's more options:

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I like the models in these and the fact they have their clothes on but in various stages of undress. The male is good looking enough to be Drake, with even a bit of scruff on his nicely square jaw...

Here's a couple of options with photos that I can actually use with the same couple because I bought them:

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S.E. wrote: "Here's a couple of options for the cover redesign -- not these exact photos, but you get the drift.

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I think the first one is too much like "Beautiful Bastard" now that I look at it.

Here's a couple of options for the cover redesign -- not these exact photos, but you get the drift.

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Katya wrote: "SE....I am ranting and raving on another thread about how much I hate copy cat covers and I have to tell you I hope you stay away from some of these photos...as they are on tons of other books too....You are such a good writer...I hope you find a unique cover who sets you apart from the others."

Aww, that's sweet of you to say! Covers are very hard. You want to place your novel in the right genre and with the right kind of vibe so that its recognizable to your potential and existing readers. I don't want cheesy or anything too copycat, but at the same time, I want something that indicates that there is heat in the books and that it is a romance in a certain genre. I've admittedly been influenced by EL James and Sylvia Day and see my novels as being about Alpha male / young inexperienced female with a bit of kink and my own twists. Don't want to stray too far so that people don't know what to expect but at the same time, want to convey something unique to the books themselves. Hence for The Agreement, it was the pen and contract, but for The Commitment, since none of you have read any of it you don't know the plot or events and so can't really comment on how appropriate any given cover is to the story... I could have a cover with a symbol of commitment on it in a simple fashion like the cover for The Agreement since that is kind of the point in Book 2. But what symbol?

Michelle (~TeamIan~) wrote: "Good point Paris. I was thinking of strappy sandals and more leg showing, like a woman taking a (little) step or turning to kiss, or escape, the man. And a man in a dark suit and dress shoes. If th..."

I think to be true to the story, I have to ensure it is understood to be erotic romance not just standard CR. There is a lot of sex in TA and TC -- although some people wanted more LOL! So I want the cover to convey that. Not all erotic romances have steamy covers but many do. We will see what my cover designer comes up with!

Paris (kerbytejas) wrote: "Michelle (~TeamIan~) wrote: "I thought the collar was a good idea for TC but it really does depend on the direction of the story. Does it fit or is it an important part of the story of TC?

Maybe ..."

That's cool -- the shoes are a significant part of the novel even being written. If I could afford doing my own photoshoot for the cover, I'd prolly have a man in a suit with a woman in heels with maybe a side-slit showing garters and fishnets, the man with a contract in his hand.

As to symbolism, for The Commitment... both characters are tested in their trust of each other and themselves and what they want and need from each other.

If The Agreement was about whether they get together, The Commitment is whether they stay together.

Drake's past comes to haunt him, testing his character. They spend time at Drake's apartment in Chelsea. Kate's past comes to haunt her a bit, testing their trust in each other. Kate has to ask herself what she wants and needs and whether Drake can provide it.

There is the possibility of a third book, but not beyond that. Will see what the reception is for The Commitment.

There is a resolution and happy end and no cliffhanger. While they are not stand-alone books, I want each book to have a satisfying end.

Paris (kerbytejas) wrote: "S.E. wrote: "Since my novel is only available through Amazon and I don't yet have a print version (my bad), the cover can be as smutty as I want. I'm thinking of asking my graphic artist to redesig..."

I want the covers to be more erotic. My book ranks higher in erotic contemporary romance than just contemporary romance so prolly a lot of readers are finding it there.

Michelle (~TeamIan~) wrote: "Oh, my! If only you could use that last picture!!! Or any picture from that photo shoot. It's lovely. Shows passion and intensity the other pics just don't. *sigh*"

I know, right? Not only is Ian gorgeous, he has this real understanding of what is sensual and what will melt women's hearts and get their libidos revving! MY GOD THE MAN HAS TO BE CG! That is all...

Of course, Kate would have to be standing on a box to be that high next to Drake...

I am gearing up to write (view spoiler)[a key balcony scene in an old hotel overlooking the ocean on the Amalfi Coast in Italy (hide spoiler)] so that pic is inspiration!

Michelle (~TeamIan~) wrote: "1, 3 or 5. 1 is sultry and artistic, IMHO. 3 is nice, more sweet. 5 is definitely more on the smutty side (and delish!).

Don't care for the ones with too much of the guy's face because he doesn't ..."

I want to emphasize the eroticism in the books so the old cover is pretty much tame. Going a little more sensual might attract readers.

LOL that the pic doesn't "look" like Drake... How about this one? ;)

Then there is also the more formal Drake in a suit option: I think one of these images has been used in something already but you get the idea -- well-dressed man with woman.