Insecure Writer’s Support Group Monthly Blog, February 2023

Welcome to the second blog post of 2023. So far, the winter here has been an unusual one with lots of snow and freezing rain, but we’ve yet to hit those frigid winter temperatures I hate. It’s been a case of heavy snowfall, followed by mild temperatures, so the accumulation is much less than expected. Still, I’ve had my fill of it. I’m ready for spring and consistent mild weather.

This month’s question is: February 1 question – If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

Yes, I am an indie author and I purchase my covers. I have a great cover artist and we talk about branding as well as genre and what I’m looking for. She’s current and up to date and her fees are quite reasonable. She makes regular covers as well as vector ones popular for certain genres like romantic comedy.

Here are my two latest covers. These books will be released later this spring. The Regal Rose is a contemporary Romance, Atonement is a Paranormal Suspense/Psychic Romance.

A good cover is important for attracting readers since the cover is often the first thing they see.

When I was with a publisher, I had to fill out a form for the cover, giving details about the hero and heroine, but ultimately, they chose the cover.

To learn more, check out the other posts here. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

Published by Susanne Matthews

Hi! I live in Eastern Ontario. I'm married with three adult children and five wonderful grandchildren. I prefer warm weather, and sunshine but winter gives me time to write. If I’m listening to music, it will be something from the 1960s or 1970s. I enjoy action movies, romantic comedies, but I draw the line at slasher flicks and horror. I love science fiction and fantasy as well. I love to read; I immerse myself in the text and, as my husband says, the house could fall down around me, and I’d never notice. My preferences are as varied as there are genres, but nothing really beats a good romance, especially one that is filled with suspense. I love historical romance too, and have read quite a few of those. If I’m watching television, you can count on it being a suspense — I’m not a fan of reality TV, sit-coms, or game shows. Writing gives me the most pleasure. I love creating characters that become real and undergo all kinds of adventures. It never ceases to amaze me how each character can take on its own unique personality; sometimes, they grow very different from the way I pictured them! Inspiration comes from all around me; imagination has no bounds. If I can think it, imagine it, I can write it!

9 thoughts on “Insecure Writer’s Support Group Monthly Blog, February 2023

  1. I remember those days of laboriously filling out the art forms – and having the publisher totally ignore it! I love having input that’s actually taken. I’ve had great ones and ones you wanted to bury in the back yard. The joy of self-pubbing is having the control.

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    1. We’ll be looking at a high of -21 C on Friday that will feel like -32 C, -16 Con Saturday that will feel like -21C and +3 C on Sunday with more snow. Mother Nature needs to make up her mind! LOL
      I was fo9rtunate to find Melinda. I live in Canada, she’s in Romania. Thanks to the Internet, the world is a much smaller place.

      Like

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