Into the Fire

I don’t get why the author’s NAME has to be so big on the covers of books to where sometimes you can’t even find the title. I prefer the TITLE to be bigger. Interesting to some, not so much to others, is that a large number of readers only remember titles, not authors, of books. (But I suppose the reverse is true, too.)

Back cover copy again. Man, just tease me. Don’t tell me “whodunit”. I don’t want to know. What I want to know is the bare minimum. You know what I mean. When you’re required to write those 30 word blurbs about your novel? That’s hard to do, but when you’re finished, it does manage to tell what your book is about. “About” is the key word. Not why, who, what, and how. Just what it’s about.

Sequels and series—if that’s the plan in the beginning, then have them written and ready to release in the 6 or 7 month time frame after the first one. If the idea for a sequel or series comes later, make sure the first one can stand alone. Make references to the first book in the second one so readers can reconnect but allow book 2 or even the following book(s) to have some ability to stand alone even if you end up leading the reader to the next one.

When the first book in a series is just a setup for the second book, I’m disgusted. If that’s the case, combine the first two into one book.

More than one proofing error. I don’t understand how this happens with so many professionals involved in the various stages of producing/editing a novel.

Unimaginative covers or similar images/photos of the same people on completely unrelated book covers.

The “study” or “discussion” questions at the end of novels. C’mon. If you must have them available, list a website to visit to obtain them or an address to write to with a tear-out postcard. These are novels, for crying out loud, not research books.

The lack of creative marketing for Christian male readers.

Pages of endorsements. Overkill. One or two by notable names gets the point across.

Okay. I’m done for now.

Father, we are your imperfect children but made in your image, transformed by the Blood of your Son. Help us to grow in you daily and to not shrink back from what you desire us to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.