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Does anyone work with Adobe software, for either writing or illustrations?

I could not get through a day without Photoshop, InDesign, or Acrobat.

What artsy-fartsy software can't you live without?

Hi Teri,

The short and sweet answer is, Adobe InDesign is a design, layout, and publishing software. Yet it does so much more. I used InDesign to format the first novel to my Sons of Avalon series, Sons of Avalon: Merlin's Prophecy. I am also using InDesign to design and format a new magazine that I am publishing, "Dragons and Dragonflies."

You can also utilize the program to create catalogs, and promotional material. I have not tried, but I would suspect that you could be creative and use it as a scrapbooking template. As with all Adobe software, it is easy to import other Adobe applications, such as Photoshop, Acrobat, Illustrator, etc.

I agree with you that the only downside to Adobe software is the learning curve. Which version of Photoshop do you work with? I was very excited when Adobe recently announced the release of CS4.

Alas, I am a Windows' user, and have never worked with iPhoto...however, I would like to learn more about the program. Would you compare iPhoto to Adobe Photoshop Elements?

Dee Marie

Hi girls, I'm so glad teri told me about this group! I use Photoshop CS3 all the time, laying out my book cover design. I'm still fine tuning, but it's coming together. Like you say, there's a big learning curve!

It beats paying thousands of dollars to a cover artist, though!

My computer crashed a few weeks ago, which has left me on the hunt for a new one. I may go for the Mac that can switch to PC. If iPhoto is that good, it sounds like it will expand my options.

Do any of you know how to format cover/spine/back cover? So far, I've been doing them individually, then, at Kinko's they merge them. I'm just not sure if a place like Lightning Source would do that for me...Here's what I've done so far (would love suggestions): Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate Thanks.

Hi Karey,

I LOVE the book cover for Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate. Without hesitation, I would purchase your novel just by viewing the cover art.

As to creating a full jacket layout: what are the dimensions of your book? I have a few templates that I could pass along to you. Of course, the spine is where it gets tricky, as it is dependent upon the interior page count. However, there is a formula that you can follow, that might help.

I think that having the perfect cover is nearly as important as having the perfect story. I am going to put your book on my to-read list. Oh, and I actually do read the books on my list.

Dee Marie

Adobe recently sent me the Technical Communications Suite (and I am slated to receive the new CS4 Master Suite) to review. Both suites require tons of Ram and hard drive space, so I had to make a bank-account-deflating decision: Mac or PC. I absolutely hate Vista, so I was leaning toward a Mac.

I stopped by Best Buy this weekend, just to browse. It is never a good thing to browse at Best Buy, it always gets me into trouble. I ended up coming home with a loaded to the max (Intel Dual Processor, 4 GB Ram, 320 Hard Drive, etc. etc.), Dell PC. So much for restraint, but I could not pass up the price; it was reduced by $400.

When I told the clerk that I wanted it, he immediately pulled the sticker off and stated that none were in stock and the sale was over. I got the impression that it was reduced by mistake.

There was a happy ending (I think, as my bankbook is now nearly empty), I left the store with my new computer, at the ridiculously low stickered price. Take me shopping for computers and books over shoes any day!

Moral of the story, don't go looking for a Mac when you are hungry for a sale.

Dee Marie

And actually, Dee Marie, I think the moral of the story is take me with you when you go shopping!

And thanks for the input on the cover. I'll take you up on your offer for the templates. The dimensions are 9.25 x 6.25 to allow for trimming. Pretty standard.

And Teri, the website looks great. It's amazing what we Artsy Fartsies can accomplish when we put our minds to it! It sure saves the bucks.

Karey

Hey Karey,

My email address is [email protected]

Drop me a note and I will send you the jacket template.

Oh, and you can go shopping with me any day...

How can you tell a girly computer geek from a normal girly shopper? The girly geek's closet only has one pair of sneakers, and her shopping spree consists of searching for a good buy on powerful hardware.

Dee Marie

Thanks Dee Marie! Our sneakers are most likely both well worn. I'm laughing. I'll drop you an email right now. Thanks so much.

Karey

I used to own my own advertising studio so I'm well versed in all the graphic programs. I have a number of writers that I do book layout for in InDesign. If you every have any questions on graphic tools - drop me a line.

Michael
[email protected]
Medieval fantasy series: The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008), Avempartha (April 2009)
Upcoming Book Signings at:

Hey Everyone,

Let me also introduce you to Michael. Not only is he an amazing artist, but he is an award winning author. Be sure to check out Michael's The Crown Conspiracy web site, and his book trailer, both are beautiful works of art.

***

Welcome to our artsy fartsy hide-away Michael...you will have to talk your lovely business partner and wife, Robin, into joining us too.

I just received notice that CS4 is about to be shipped, and I am over-excited. I am glad that you are proficient in InDesign, as I am always coming up with new questions to ask pertaining to that specific Adobe program. Also, have you worked with Captivate 3?

Oh, and I am still eagerly awaiting the arrival of your novel. I swear that the postal service in Upstate NY is still using Pony Express.

Thanks for joining our group, and we look forward to your artistic input, as well as Robin's.

Dee Marie

Hey Dee,
Thanks for the great comments about The Crown Conspiracy Now I have two great women spreading the word about me!

I've never used Captivate 3 - so can't help out much with that. Good to see that CS4 is about to ship though that means I'll have another hit on the old pocketbook.

Michael J. Sullivan

Another program I've used alot for doing covers is Bryce - it's a 3D rendering tool. And since Dee liked my Crown Conspiracy Cover I thought I would mention this cover as well which I also did.



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Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

You should always do the cover as one big image - front back and spine all run together - and usually a "bleed" - the printer will usually tell you how much but usually 1/4" or so - the trick is knowing the width of the spine - it will depend on the type of paper and page count. You will need to provide Lightning Source with one file for the cover and one for the interior. Lighting Source has a spine calculator to determine the width. Also keep in mind that placement of the spine can have a little variance so don't have the text to close to the edge on the spine - just in case.

BTW - for anyone who needs layout I'll do interior layout for free - just give me the word file and tell me the book size and I'll return you a .pdf you can send to the printer.


Wife of author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

I agree with Dee - the cover to Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate is very very nice - Nice job!

Wife of author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

Michael

Did you create your covers in Bryce? That is one program that I have never been able to "get my mind" around. Plus, I have no patience to wait for a 48-hour render.

Please share your full jacket image of the second book in your series. Love the front cover...please post a link to the full jacket. I especially like how each book cover relates to the other through the subtle use of color and design.

I was reading The Crown Conspiracy late last night, until the batteries to my Itty Bitty Book Light ran out of juice. I was tempted to get out of bed and find new batteries, but I did not want to disturb the dog sleeping on my legs, or my husband with the covers over his head (as we had to get up at four this morning). So, I reluctantly put the book up, even though I was at an exciting part and wanted to continue the adventure.

Dee Marie

Robin

Woo! Whoo! I am so excited that you have joined our motley crew. You are such an inspiration. Thanks so much for the information concerning the cover layout. Do you have a one piece template that you can share?

Thank you also for your generous offer to help fledgling authors create a PDF of their word files. Your formatting is pure perfection, and anyone would be insane not to take you up on your more-than-kind offer to convert his or her files.

Again, it is so exciting to have you both as part of the group.

Dee Marie

Has anyone worked with Adobe FrameMaker 8? I have not worked with FrameMaker since its first released, I think that was around 1994.

The new version came with the Technical Communications Suite. It is going to be a fun learning experience, with an extensive learning-curve I fear.

Dee Marie

Michael and Robin: I'm joining the others in shouting out a hearty welcome! Your cover is absolutely beautiful, Michael. Dee has got me interested in reading The Crown Conspiracy,--after I read her Sons of Avalon, of course!

And thanks for explaining the cover layout Robin. Truly. I don't have Pagemaker yet, (and I don't even know if I can get it anymore) so I may take you up on your incredibly generous offer to do the page layout for me.

Oh Karey,

I am on page 222 of Michael's novel. I have just reached the crossroads of the book. You know that special place where you want to hurry and finish because the story is just so darn intriguing. At the same time, you want to drag the story out, because the story is so darn intriguing, that you don't want to it to end.

If you love a well-crafted story, with characters that you really care about, and a driving plot that makes you question and think...I highly recommend The Crown Conspiracy.

Dee Marie

Hey all,
A lot of posts since last I was here...I really don't have a template for the "cover" - i.e. one piece because most of the work I've done for people vary from 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" to 9" x 6" variations. I actually build each one from scratch always making the final size the size of the recommended bleed then doing guide lines to show where the trimming will be.

For interior book layout I do have a template two actually again one for the 9 x 6 one for the slightly smaller.

Michael has used Bryce for book cover design - but he usually "augments" them with work in photoshop after the render. His cover for is that way - The Crown ConspiracyAvempartha. Originally, before AMI purchased it - The crown conspiracy was self-ublished and had a much different cover. . This was done in Bryce where the crown and dagger and floor and walls are all rendered. Then other aspects added later.

Dee...Thanks for all your great comments on The Crown Conspiracywe should pay you as a publicist !! Seriously though glad that you are enjoying it and spreading the word.

I'll post the full cover jacket for Avempartha - Just have to get it on the website so I can have a link.

Never worked with Framemaker much - Quark Xpress and InDesign seem to work well for me.

And Karey, thanks for the welcome - and I think your cover is lovely!!

Whew.... I think that is all for now.


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Wife of author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

Thanks for the compliment, Robin. It's well accepted. As you know, something like that represents months of hard work. But then, I suppose, there are those moments when something just seems to come together on its own. This cover was a...metamorphosis!

I understand what you mean about composing the separate parts of the jacket then combining them. That's the way my brain had figured it out, and I hope I can figure out how to combine them when the time comes. I don't think I've allowed enough for bleed. Just 1/4" (so 1/8th inch per side...hmm.)

And Dee, The Crown Conspiracy sounds just like my kind of read. It'll give me something to look forward to reading along with your book after my eye heals, which I understand is really quickly!

Karey,
If you are unsure how to put the pieces together - I'd be more than happy to do it for you. Just make sure the graphics you give me are at least 300 dpi for the cover - and tell me the final page count and I can fix the spine etc. If you don't have a back of the book - I can whip somehting up for you if needs be.

Glad to help in any way I can.

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Wife of author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

Here is the full cover (front, back, and spine for Avempartha).



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Wife of author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

Beautiful first impression!

Dee Marie