With the release of Prodigy of Rainbow Tower looming, my mind is wandering to the next stage. Aiming for a Halloween release of Allure of the Gypsies, which is doable. Yet, there are two projects that I don’t have any debut date or idea for. These are the two completed novellas.
One is Catalysts and it is a gory horror novella that used to be on this site. I took it down when I thought I was about to publish and go KDP Select. The other is The Pen Name and it is a drama. These are two genres that I don’t typically play in, so I’m nervous about them. Catalysts got good reactions, but nobody noticed The Pen Name.
I’m wondering what I should do wit them. I need beta readers to read them over and I need cover art, but I can’t afford the cover art. I have cover art in the works for Catalysts, but not The Pen Name. So, these projects are stalled until I find a way around that issue. When would I debut them anyway? With Allure of the Gypsies taking Halloween, Catalysts has no clear thing. Unless I release both around Christmas, but I can’t package a horror and drama in the same thing.
I guess what I’m saying is: Does anybody want to read two novellas or have an idea of what to do about cover art for free/cheap?
Legends of Windemere 
I can be a beta reader for one or both. Those are genres I prefer.
LikeLike
Thanks. I can send both to you now if you want.
LikeLike
They’re in Word files.
LikeLike
Perfect. Email is pamela984@yahoo.com
LikeLike
Sent them out. Thanks again.
LikeLike
Something I forgot to mention. I used the same characters for both stories. I had this idea to have a ‘cast’ that I used for novellas like an acting troupe. Please let me know if that gets confusing or if it works.
LikeLike
Should one be read before the other?
LikeLike
Nope. They aren’t really in the same universe. I guess the equivalent would be seeing Brad Pitt in Seven and then seeing him in Ocean’s Eleven. No idea why I chose Brad Pitt.
LikeLike
Create Imaginations [mailto:info@create-imaginations.com] was not an expensive cover artist, Paul is very easy to work with. He is across the pond in England and charges in GBPs, but was more affordable than anyone I could find Stateside. You could let him know what you are looking for and check his rate. Mine was under $200.00 and everyone had told me to expect $500-$1500 depending on whether they had photostock or would need to develop it. He did my good bookmarks and my facebook banner also.
LikeLike
Thanks. I’ll give him a look. Money is tight, but that sounds doable. I don’t need anything very complicated too.
LikeLike
I think he is a student and works a job, but he was always quick to respond to me even if he did it with his iPhone just to say he would take a look later that night/evening.
LikeLike
Tell him what you need and make him an offer.
LikeLike
Thanks. I’ll have to figure that out first.
LikeLike
He charged me about the equivalent of $35.00 to do art for my bookmarks and they were much more professionally prepared than the ones I got from my publisher. I will send you a sneak peek and let you decide for yourself. And my publisher charged me for 2.5 hours at $75.00 per hour. I was pissed.
LikeLike
Cool. Curious about his cover art rates then. I’m aiming for an early December release for both of these, so I have some time.
LikeLike
Drama depends on the category. Some books are very much dramas, but get noticed because they fit into some well-defined category. Trying to sell it as a drama might be tough. How would you classify it?
LikeLike
I’m not sure. It isn’t a romance. The story is about a middle-aged guy who takes in a homeless girl that he finds during a snowstorm. She finds out he tried to be an author and offers to be the face, name, and story for his books. They keep it a secret as the books gain popularity and it gets harder to retain the lies.
LikeLike
I would hold off on this one until the right category seems to click (maybe someone will suggest a good match), as that can have a significant effect on sales (that don’t come from your existing following). Of course, there might be an audience for this among authors…
LikeLike
That’s what I was thinking. These are novellas, so they’re going to be .99 centers that I put up for people to wander into. I’m more attached and proud of the horror one than the drama, so that might play a role in my final decision.
LikeLike
The longer you save it, the greater your following who might explore something somewhat different. And eventually the perfect category may come to you.
LikeLike
Maybe. These would be released after the third novel, so who knows. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that one of my beta readers can pinpoint it.
LikeLike
I will be a beta reader for both books if you take a look at a few of my short stories (no need to read all 18 ) on readwave. Then give me an honest opinion
http://www.readwave.com/melanie.jean.juneau/
LikeLike
Sure thing. I have it bookmarked now, so I can slowly make my way through them all. Do you want me to comment on the page or in an e-mail? I’ll send the novellas along.
LikeLike
on the page so they are right with the story…THANKS. This is a first for me.
This Sunday we go up to the cottage for a week with no computer so I will read the on an e-reader
LikeLike
Great. Already made it through the first story. I’ll check them out as I take breaks from my novel. Love what I read so far.
LikeLike
thank-you
LikeLike
“Catalysts”? Are there cats in it? Or could you put cats in it? I happy to know there’s this collection of horror stories featuring cats that will be opening for submissions soon.
LikeLike
*sigh* “happen to know”
LikeLike
Sadly, no cats. I might have a person in a catgirl outfit since it takes place at a sci-fi/fantasy convention.
LikeLike
No, I need real cats. I do hope you’ll consider contributing to my cats&horror anthology when I get it going.
LikeLike
I’ll see what I can come up with. More of a dog person. Cats hiss at me.
LikeLike
I’d be very interested in reading the novellas, either as a joined package (Like Stephen King sometimes does) or separately…have no idea about where to get cheap/free cover art though. I think ‘maybe’ lulu.com where I’m publishing my book might have resources to do your own cover art for free using their stock photos and so forth but I am no artist so I purchased a publishing package from them and had them do the cover art for me, so I’m not sure. 🙂
LikeLike
I just found someone for Catalysts, but still looking for The Pen Name. Their genres are too different to package together, so I have to put them out separately. The only problem with Lulu.com is that I can’t use the cover art on Amazon and I don’t like the idea of cutting myself out of that market.
Do you want me to e-mail the novellas to you for feedback?
LikeLike
Why do you ay you can’t use their over art on amazon? I’ve had my cover art done by them and they said I could.
LikeLike
I was told a while back that the cover art had to stay there if I used it. I could always be wrong. Tends to happen from time to time. I’ll take a look at their cover art.
LikeLike
It may be that way if you use their free services but not for aid I suppose. I will doublecheck but given they’ve sent me a cover without their branding on it expressly for use when publishing on other platforms I would have thought it’s ok from their end. As long as Amazon don’t mind it’s probably fine, but best to check if h free issue makes a difference. 🙂
LikeLike
You are a writing fiend! (I mean that in the nicest of ways) Do you have any highschools or colleges near you? If so you might want to see if any of the students would be interested in doing the cover art. They could do it for a school project and they would be cheaper.
LikeLike
It’s been suggested. I’m thinking of doing that for The Pen Name. Catalysts might have some sketches over the weekend from a friend who thought the project was cancelled. I got caught up with a few life messes and the novels that I lost connect.
LikeLike
That sounds great about the sketches! Life has a way of doing that 🙂
LikeLike
yeah. Wish life would stabilize for a bit though.
LikeLike
I know what you mean! Hoping that for both of us!!
LikeLike
With so many avid readers and authors following you here I presume you’re getting plenty of beta offers… May I read the drama? Where is it you would like feedback posted?
LikeLike
Just send an e-mail and let me know what you think. I’ll send the drama along. I’ve only received a few actual requests. Thanks.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on OreoAnonymous and commented:
How could anyone turn down an essentially free story? Applicable to light readers as well as the fervent ones. Please show Mr Yallowitz some love.
LikeLike
I’d be up for giving them both a read, if you’d want. I’m, admittedly, unsure as to how much of a critique I could give. But I’d be willing to give it a shot, anyway.
LikeLike
Thanks. I’ll send them along today.
LikeLike
Hey Charles, I would love to have a crack at your cover design. I would obviously have to read the book first. If you like, send it to me and I’ll see what comes to mind. All of my design tools are paid for, so no charges for you. redarrow415@gmail.com 🙂
LikeLike
Sure. I already have a guy for Catalysts as of yesterday night, but I can send you the other one. It’s the one I have the least idea about.
LikeLike
That would be great. Thanks.
LikeLike
I know I’m a bit late off the blocks but I can read your drama that might not be a drama if you like.
LikeLike
Sure. I’ll send it along. Thanks.
LikeLike
Just an idea, but maybe you should talk to Dirk over at http://shiggyenterprises.wordpress.com/
He just did some cover art for me and it is awesome. He did it for free since he hated my old cover with a passion, but he said he had a lot of fun and sort of wants to start doing more artwork. I haven’t talked rates with him yet, but maybe you could head over there and ask him.
LikeLike
Thanks. I got somebody for them, but I’ll keep him in mind.
LikeLike
Congrats! That is great to hear! 🙂
LikeLike
Amazing, Thank you for writing which is quite good, best wishes always for writing and best wishes always and greetings, kindness blossoms in your heart
LikeLike
Thanks. 🙂
LikeLike