Can you believe it’s been a freakin’ year since I updated this page? By the way, I was a little clueless as to how this template works. This homepage is actually a POST, as in a blogpost that you create new every time you have something new to say. You don’t update the same post over and over–which is what I was doing–which is why my post is always dated May 25, 2021. Mea culpa.
Let’s get the obligatory dog photo out of the way. Piper (left) has a new playmate, Finn. He is a Cairn terrier, just like Nessa (who lived with us for a year before developing cancer of the urethra at 10 years old). Finn is currently 11 months old and is the cutest little sh*t on the planet. Piper is unimpressed and says she does not need a younger brother.
Now to the author news and question: I’m FINALLY FINISHED with edits to Murder Takes the Reins, a sequel to Murder on the Hoof. I really liked my cover to Murder on the Hoof so I wanted to recreate the same look/mood for Murder Takes the Reins. But now I’m looking at all the romantic-suspense books on the market and they all look like bodice-rippers/thirst-traps/everything I hate in a book cover. There’s no hint of the suspense part, just the romance. BUT THEY SELL. Do I:
- Put aside my own likes and dislikes in favor of a cover that fits in with the market, or
- Design a cover that hits hard on the suspense with a mere reference to the romance?
I’m torn and could use some guidance.
BTW, here’s the current cover of Murder on the Hoof.
I’m thinking of a new cover for Murder on the Hoof to freshen it up.
WHERE AM I?
October 11: If it’s October and it’s Saturday, it’s the annual Placentia Heritage Festival, held in Tri-City Park. I will have a booth there with lots of books and a strong urge to talk to people. I hope you come by if you’re in the area!
October 18-19: I’ll be teaching in Redmond, Oregon at the inaugural Central Oregon Writers Conference. I’m really looking forward to seeing new faces and hanging out with old friends. Here’s the link if you’re interested: https://writersconference.com/summit/
November 9: I’m at the Yorba Linda Town Center (18421 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA) for a holiday craft event. Yes, I’ll have books! Yes, I’ll want visitors!
IN THE MEANTIME…WHAT ELSE CAN I DO FOR YOU?
I am available for book clubs, and for writing groups, I teach workshops–check out your options at https://gaylecarline.com/s