Cover and Title Reveal of New Novel

 We're a month away from the publication of my next novel, the fifth in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. 

And today, I'm announcing the title and revealing the cover. Drum roll, please:

The cover was designed by graphic artist Trisha Fitzgerald-Jung, who has produced many covers for Wings ePress in the past few years.  She designed the last two  books in the series, "New Horizons" and "Make Room for Family."

As the title suggests, John and Sally Ross attend his 50th high school reunion, an event mentioned in the first novel, "Old Ways and New Days," in 2015. He's not keen about going but reluctantly decides to make the trip because his daughter, Chloe, has picked up the tab for everything. It turns out to be a memorable blast from the past as he encounters old friends and "familiar strangers."

This is my 11th novel and should be available on pre-order at Amazon and Barnes and Noble soon. If you're interested in a postcard announcing the book, send your address to michael.embry@gmail.com. I have a limited supply so get in touch with me soon (put "Postcard" in the subject line).

Until the next time . . .

Another Progress Report on Manuscript

I've completed making the line edits on my work-in-progress, the fifth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. 

While fixing the various and sundry marks noted in red ink on the hard copy, I also jotted down some additional work that needs to be done before submitting the manuscript to my Wings ePress editor by March 31. 

I noticed several scenes that need to be expanded. There were a few minor changes that I will address such as character names and background. I'll be doing that while giving the novel-to-be one final read over the next five days. I have a notecard listing the rewrites/edits that I will check off when completed.

I'm also working on a book title. I have a working title (something I do with every WIP). I've compiled a list of about 10 that I'll tinker with over the next five days. Much like a book cover, a title is important because an author wants it to provide a strong first impression on potential readers. As for a book title, that'll be taken care of in the next few months with the publisher's art director.

My only concern right now is that I had received my second COVID-19 vaccine this morning. The nurse told me that I could have some side effects from it, including flu-like symptoms. Friends have told me they ran low-grade fevers and felt lethargic for a few days. I hope it's no more than that for me.

As mentioned in previous posts, the novel will be published Oct. 1, eight months after the release of Make Room for Family, the fourth book in the series. For a list of my novels, visit my webpage. Other sites include Amazon and Wings ePress.

Until the next time . . .

Cover of Upcoming Novel

As those who follow this blog know, at least I hope they do, I've got a new novel that will be released May 1. 

And today I'm previewing the cover for New Horizons, the third book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series, from Wings ePress. The others in the series are Old Ways and New Days and Darkness Beyond the Light.

Trisha Fitzgerald-Jung, the graphic artist, did a fantastic job with the cover. I couldn't be more pleased with her artwork. Of my nine novels, it's my favorite.   

The photo is of a street in Budapest I took when my wife and I visited the Old World city in 2016. And much of the novel takes place in the Hungarian capital. I hope readers will gain a sense of what a wonderful place it is to visit.  



Budapest is a city that captured our hearts, and it's a place we'd love to spend time again. Maybe someday. I would encourage others to experience the sights if given the opportunity.

That's all to this post; I just wanted to share the beautiful cover.

Until the next time . . . 

Manuscript is out of my hands (for a little while)

The manuscript for my next novel is out of my hands, thank goodness, even if only for a little while.

My Wings ePress editor had a few questions about my final edit, which I addressed, and returned to her yesterday. The manuscript now goes to a copy editor who will give the 71,500 words a deep read to find any typos, grammatical errors, and storyline inconsistencies. 

And when that's completed, I'll receive the galley proof for one last read for any minor mistakes (I sure don't want any major ones at this point). The manuscript will also be formatted for publication. 

In the meantime, I'll hear from a graphic artist about the book cover. I have already provided information to her about the book. I'm anxious to see her artistic interpretation of the novel. 

The novel is set to be released on May 1. Over the next few months, I'll be working, along with the publisher, on promotion and marketing. 

Steve Flairty

As an aside, my books were mentioned in an article about Kentucky books by Steve Flairty, a reviewer for the Northern Kentucky Tribune and Kentucky Monthly magazine.  You can read it here.  (Disclosure: I have edited  Steve's "Kentucky's Everyday Heroes" books.) 

Until the next time . . .

Past, Present, Future, and Excuses

Let me start by saying that 2018 wasn't my best year in writing. 

I have excuses (don't we all?) but I should have been more productive. I didn't reach my goal of 50 blog posts; I didn't have a novel published; I didn't write any short stories.

On the positive side for 2019, I do have a tentative release date of May 1 for my next novel, the third in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. I completed editor's suggestions and corrections today and will be sending them on to her.

And I've have completed an idea form for the graphic artist to begin work on the cover of the novel. I'm excited to see what she comes up with in the next month or so, and I'll it share with you as well.

As for this blog, I hope to post something once a week. I was on target to do that last year but faltered the final two months because of my excuses.

As for short stories, we'll see. I've been planning to publish the second volume of Laments but excuses got in the way. I've already written six but they need to have the dust wiped off. 

My publisher, Wings ePress, has come up with some new marketing and promotional efforts including pre-release sales. I'll let you know more about that in a future post. 

So that's where I stand on Jan. 1, 2019, excuses and all.

I hope you have a creative and productive new year!

Until the next time . . .

New Cover

Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward. That's what the folks at Wings ePress have done with "Old Ways and New Days."

Since the novel is the first in the "John Ross Boomer Lit" series, the cover needed to redone to reflect the change. Digital artist Richard Stroud has designed the new cover, which I believe gives more of an idea of what is between the covers.

Old 

New

Besides the new artwork, Stroud has added the "John Ross Boomer Lit Novel" strip across the bottom and uses a similar font to the one used in "Darkness Beyond the Light." Those elements will continue forthcoming books in the series.

Coming up with a cover that says something about the book is as difficult as trying to say what a book is about in  30 words or less. Authors try to do that (most of us don't) since it is something that would fit nicely in a sound bite.

And if that's not the case, they want a back cover blurb (my publisher prefers 75 words or less)  that attracts potential readers. Just watch readers in a book store, library or some other place as they quickly scan blurbs to see which books they want to read—it's a quick process to capture their attention, or not.

So with the new cover, it's the hope that it will boost sales, especially from those who've read "Darkness Beyond the Light" but haven't read "Old Ways and New Days" because they will see the connection.

Until the next time. . . . 

Progress Report: Back to the Manuscript (The Cover)

Drum roll, please! My manuscript now has a cover—the last step before being published. 

Richard Stroud, who has designed more than 400 covers, came up with the artwork for "Darkness Beyond the Light." The novel will be released Nov. 1 by Wings ePress.

Richard interviewed me several times, on Skype and by telephone, to get an idea what the story was about. I had already filled out an artist information form that provides background about the manuscript—scenes, characters, plot, etc. Needless to say, it's difficult to describe the main theme from the 93k words that comprise my eighth novel—in 100 words on less. 

He was patient, asked pertinent questions, and did an excellent job in conveying the essence of the novel through several captivating images. Richard seeks to avoid clutter, as I do when I write, which I think he accomplished. I hope readers will be enticed to pick up the novel and consider reading it, simply by looking at the cover.

Richard will redo the "Old Ways and New Days" cover, the first "John Ross Boomer Lit Novel," so it will have a stronger and compelling connection to "Darkness Beyond the Light." And when I finish the third book in the series, he'll handle that as well.

Between now and the release date, I'll be promoting "Darkness Beyond the Light" through traditional means, social media, and other avenues. And I'll be working on the third installment. Busy days ahead.

Until the next time. . . . 

 

Back to the Manuscript -- Part 18 (Cover)

As promised in my last post, the cover to my new novel, "Old Ways and New Days."

Curtains, please....

Yes, there is a dog in the novel and the pooch plays a prominent part in the story. 

The path through a wooded park is also in the novel. It also symbolizes the journey of the protagonist as he embarks on a different and uncertain life.

The novel will be released on Oct. 1. 

Until the next time....

Unveiling the Cover

My latest novel will be released Oct. 1. While I can't reveal all the contents, I can show you the cover.

Drum roll please!

The cover was designed by Pat Evans, the art director at Wings ePress. She's designed all the covers to my novels. I'm very pleased because it provides a visual idea about the young-adult novel.

There's still more work to be done before the release date. I'll be receiving the galley proof for final edits, corrections, and fixes. And there is the promotional side in getting the word out to as many folks as possible.

If you can judge a book by its cover, then I feel like I have another winner.

Until the next time...

Painful Process to Publication

The editing process is under way on my upcoming young adult novel. The publisher sent the manuscript to an editor, and after a thorough read, it was returned to me to make corrections for typos, missed or misused words, punctuation, style points, and to consider story suggestions.

It can be a humbling experience, especially when you stare -- make that glare -- at your precious creation on the computer screen and wonder: "How did that slip through?" It can be very frustrating, perhaps a bit stressful, and somewhat embarrassing. 

After the initial shock wears off, and you've made numerous fixes, you're grateful the editor found the mistakes, even if they're more than you want to see. You may even discover a few mistakes the editor didn't catch. But the bottom line is getting things right before publication, no matter how hard or painful it is.

It's practically impossible for a writer to find all the mistakes in a novel-length manuscript. When proofreading, a writer will often read words that aren't there. Sometimes you'll have a same-sounding word -- a homonym -- that doesn't make sense in the story. And spell check doesn't guarantee you'll find everything.  

While some may take offense to story suggestions, these can be especially helpful when the editor also puts on a "reader" hat. You certainly don't want readers to have questions about scenes in a story. And remember: they're only suggestions. You have the creative control.

After I return the manuscript, the editor will give it one more read and then pass it on to a senior editor, who will going over it as well. If there are any more corrections, it'll be sent back to me to make the fixes.  

When everything looks right, I'll be sent a galley proof for one last read. I hope I won't find typos or anything major, but if I do, this will be the last opportunity to make things right before it becomes a...BOOK! 

I've also been working with the cover artist. I was sent a draft cover  that captured the essence of the story. I provided her with some additional input, so that process should be completed in a few weeks.

Until the next time...   

Taking Cover

Everything is moving along smoothly -- at least I think so -- on the publication for my short-story collection. I'm sure there will be a surprise or two in the coming weeks.

My manuscript is still in the hands of a trusted editor. I'm still working on the blurb. I've consulted some indie authors for advice, and they've also provided encouragement.

Yesterday, I contracted with Tugboat Design to customize a cover that I hope will reflect the stories. They requested information about the stories and my thoughts about the art. They should get back with me in a few days with several proposals.

As indie authors and traditional publishers know, the cover is one of the most important parts in producing and selling a book -- or most media, for that matter.

We know when browsing books online, bookstores, and libraries, the cover often is the first thing to catch our attention. For the consumer, after purchasing/checking out the book, they want the cover to give some hint as to what's inside. If the cover doesn't do that, they often believe they've been misled.

No doubt, the primary goal for an author is to write the best possible book, or short stories, in my case. But it's often the cover that leads the potential reader to venture inside to the pages.

Until the next time…