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$75.00 for both ebook and paperback wraparound cover. Need ebook only? Contact Me for pricing. Please visit my Cover Design site for more information, or to purchase.
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After completing your purchase at Paypal, please click the Return to Merchant button, and you’ll be directed to a form where you can supply me with your book details. If something happens (you close your browser before clicking, or you’re not redirected), please complete the form here.
Click any cover to see a larger image. (If you’re reading this in an email or feed reader, please click through to see the images.)
$75.00 for both ebook and paperback wraparound cover. Need ebook only? Contact Me for pricing. Please visit my Cover Design site for more information, or to purchase.
[wpecpp id=106]
After completing your purchase at Paypal, please click the Return to Merchant button, and you’ll be directed to a form where you can supply me with your book details. If something happens (you close your browser before clicking, or you’re not redirected), please complete the form here.
Click any cover to see a larger image. (If you’re reading this in an email or feed reader, please click through to see the images.)
$75.00 for both ebook and paperback wraparound cover. Need ebook only? Contact Me for pricing. Please visit my Cover Design site for more information, or to purchase.
[wpecpp id=106]
After completing your purchase at Paypal, please click the Return to Merchant button, and you’ll be directed to a form where you can supply me with your book details. If something happens (you close your browser before clicking, or you’re not redirected), please complete the form here.
Click any cover to see a larger image. (If you’re reading this in an email or feed reader, please click through to see the images.)
$75.00 for both ebook and paperback wraparound cover. Need ebook only? Contact Me for pricing. Please visit my Cover Design site for more information, or to purchase.
[wpecpp id=106]
After completing your purchase at Paypal, please click the Return to Merchant button, and you’ll be directed to a form where you can supply me with your book details. If something happens (you close your browser before clicking, or you’re not redirected), please complete the form here.
I wanted to take a moment to thank Marie Higgins for tagging me and inviting me to be a part of this Blog promotion! If you get a chance, please visit her at her site .
1. What am I working on?
I have not been writing much lately, but I do have three WIPS at the moment. Of those, I am trying to concentrate on “When the Dead Call.” It’s a bit different for me, a challenge, so who knows. I have been focusing a lot of my energy on cover art.
This is the Blurb, though it will probably change and remains unedited for now:
Blurb and lead in:
Having a ghost as your best friend had its drawbacks, but Sutton Ballenger was getting used to it. It kept things interesting and a long way from normal. Normal. She remembered normal in a fuzzy, dreamy sort of way. She had even thought of herself as normal once. Yet now, normal seemed like another lifetime ago.
Sutton smiled. In that long ago lifetime, she’d been invisible, just your typical nobody that nobody seemed to notice. “Normal!” Her laughed, the sound loud enough to cause many so-called normal people near her to stop and stare, their expressions revealing that they sensed an oddity about her…yet had no idea what that oddity was. Sutton smirked as they shied away from her and quickly crossed the street. The normal people always managed to make quick retreats when they noticed her. She’d been one of them not so long ago. Normal, invisible, a nobody right up to the point when a scream turned her world upside down….
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I don’t know if my stories actually differ from others in the genre that I write. I haven’t yet managed to stand out or rise above, but I keep trying! I like to craft a tale by using old myth and seeing what I can do with it to make it different. Otherwise, I suspect my stuff in pretty much boring or plain vanilla compared to so many who write in my genre.
3. Why do I write what I do?
Oh, the answer to this is simple: Because I love fantasy, I love the magic, and the worlds, and well… I love it. It is my hope that my words impart a sense of the wonder and beauty and yes, the magic, that I so love about the genre.
4. How does your writing process work?
Usually I get an idea, just a germ of a notion, and then I think about it, see if it can hold water, so to speak. If I think the idea can be developed, then I start to daydream the characters, get to know them. I think the daydreaming is sort of like outlines or interviews. I think a lot of my stuff is character driven. And since I write, “Into the mist,” one never knows where the characters may take me or what might pop up in the world I’m creating. By the time I start the writing part, my characters and I are old friends. I’m comfortable with them. Once thing that never seems to change is the fact that I do know where I want to start, what I want my characters to achieve, and how I want the story to end. Everything else is an adventure. Sometimes even I am so surprised!
Thank you for stopping by my site. Appreciated! Next week, Jennette Marie Powell is up. Please visit her site if you have a moment. Here is a little bit about her.
TIME’S ENEMY and TIME’S FUGITIVE, unusual time-travel romance
Jennette Marie Powell writes time travel and science fiction romance. A lifelong resident of the Dayton, Ohio area, she likes to dig beneath the surface and find the extraordinary beneath the mundane, whether in people, places, or historical events. While she has no desire to change the past, she enjoys learning about local history, particularly the early 20th century. Her preferred places to time travel are from her computer or museums. By day, she wrangles data and websites in between excursions to search for the aliens and spacecraft that legends say are stashed away on the military base where she works.
If you think that name sounds familiar, that’s because I buy a lot of my stock from them and well…they just interviewed me 🙂
So, without further ado….
Period Images is a wonderful website. How did you come up with the idea for creating a website like Period Images with the great models wearing those wonderful period costumes?
It started with a frienship and a dilemma. I had written my first Regency novel and I could not find images that even remotely fit my idea of how my hero and heroine should look like, and most importantly, how their manner of dress should reflect the elegance of that era. This sentiment was shared by a veteran author I’ve never met in person yet has become a good friend and mentor of mine—Marie Higgins. My friendship with Marie opened my eyes to the struggles of being an author; on what it was like to be in the shoes of a writer who must make every penny count. Cost of production is a reality one must face when crafting a book. The cover, most especially, is a substantial concern. As we emailed back and forth on the seeming lack of acceptable images, I learned that other historical writers—not just the ones in my genre, have the same predicament. Of course, one can have a generic image modified and manipulated to fit a particular period, but not everyone could afford to shell out the amount of money required to make those kinds of changes. As a result, authors were forced to use whatever was within their budget, and settle with an image that most probably was not the one they had envisioned to grace their covers. For a Product Designer like me, this dilemma was something to ponder. My Creative team designs wardrobe for private clients and the entertainment industry. We have an extensive network of suppliers, fellow designers, and models in Los Angeles. I know my team and I, are well-equipped to solve this problem and do it in the way it should be done—with care, attention to detail, the right models, and proper Period costuming. Thus, with Marie’s help, I acquired more information on what her author friends were specifically looking for. As soon as the wish-list arrived in my inbox, the challenge began,––and a project was born.
Who creates these amazing costumes? Could you tell us a bit about your staff and what they do?
It takes a village of skilled staff to create Period Costumes. My chief Wardrobe Specialist, Arleen Brown, researches the attires and proposes the concept to me. Upon approval, we do Color Mastering, sourcing and fabric selection. Then, the materials go to one of my top designers, Rosa Candelario, who has extensive experience in film costuming, and Marcie Hernandez, my design consultant, to execute the attires. Once the basic ‘shells’ are submitted, Arleen goes back to me to consult with the right embellishments and trims. Upon approval, the shells go to one of Arleen’s assistants to finish the designs. (That is, if Arleen will willingly let them finish it. She tends to get “attached” to the costumes, LOL.) Then, all that is left is assembly and fitting—which for some perverted reason, I always become the Guinea pig.
Marie says: Sheri McGathy…I think I want this pic next!!!I say, How about this one?
Or this one?
As you can see, I love Period Images stock!
If authors / cover artists are looking for models in period clothing and with props? For example: A girl in period clothing, perhaps dressed in a winter coat/cape, warm bonnet, muffler, sitting on a bench or box, lacing up her skates. Is Period Images considering staged poses with no backdrops?
Yes! In fact we have just released a set of images in a garden setting and other props. As long as the requested props or wardrobe are readily available, this should not be a problem.
Sometimes cover artists find the perfect look in a model, but maybe they are wearing the wrong clothes. Have you considered creating a “clothes closet” – a series of shots of just the costumes laid out or hung up at various angles so the cover designer can change the models clothes…sort of like paper dolls?
For this one, because we have so many images of our models in costumes in different poses already, I think it would be easier to just trade the models’ heads, instead of trading the attires. But if you must absolutely have the dress on a hanger or whatever, it’s no biggie—we can take a quick shot for you. In fact, we just did that for someone who was looking to extend a dress so that it encompasses the front and back cover of a book.
Before starting Period Images, did you have friends who were models? How do you go about finding your models? What, to you and your staff, is the “perfect,” model?
Yes. Because we design very high end events, it is common to meet models. We knew quite a few and I was friends with the owner of a model staffing agency. On how we find our models––it’s weird, because most of the time, they find us! Jax Turyna, who is a well-known cover model and a part of P.I. staff, found me before I found her! I almost never have to do casting calls unless it’s crucial, or I am looking for a very specific look. Most of our models are referrals from our current models. Authors and Cover Artists also send a bunch our way to check out.
The perfect model for me is someone who is bankable. In other words, one who is psychologically matured, professional, industrious, and goes out of his way to promote his work. Someone who is reliable and will not do things that would be detrimental to his carreer or the companies he represents. I like to invest in people who I know will deliver results, and will be an asset not only to my company, but also to my clients.
Briefly describe a normal photo shoot from start to finish.
The crew normally comes in an hour before the shoot. Wardrobe crew goes into a quick meeting on which attires will be worn by which model on what shoot. MUAs (Make-up Artists) and Hair Stylist go to their designated areas to prep their stuff. Then, I do a quick briefing for everyone on the shoot schedule, models’ looks, hair, attires, and how much time is alotted for MU and Wardrobe changes.
The first batch of models come in 45 minutes before the shoot. They go into make-up, hair, and then wardrobe. I brief them with the script for the Exclusive shoots we are doing. Photographer comes in a half hour before shoot starts and begins prepping the equipment.
As the shoot progresses, more models start coming in and the same routine takes place. The photographer and I do several consults during the day to make sure we are getting the right shots and we’re happy with the results. I also check the models’ looks several times to make sure their appearance is right for the type of shoot we are doing. During the actual shoot, two assistants monitor the hair, make-up and wardrobe, and do touch-ups as needed.
At the end of the shoot, everyone usually hangs around to talk, wind down, and eat.
Do you have a memorable moment?
I have several, but I assume you’re talking about my experience with Period Images. It was the night after our last big shoot in December. After everyone had left and I was all alone, I sat in the dark, staring at my computer screen, at the page where some of the book covers with our images where showcased. As I browsed through them one by one, I felt a sense of accomplishment—not just for me, but for all the people who worked hard to make these images possible, for all the authors who had mentored and supported us along the way, and the cover artists who had taken our images and turned them into works of art. Once again, I acknowledged and re-affirmed, that there are no coincidences. Marie and I met for a reason, and our friendship had a purpose. And for all it’s worth, everything worked out for the better good.
What other plans do you have in the works?
Top secret for now—we love surprises, lol
So, would you care to tell us a little about you away from Period Images?
As a person, I am funny, a foodie, and I understand everything that has got to do with design, except for when it comes to dressing myself. When I am clueless about something, I am never embarassed to admit it and ask for directions. I don’t care about popularity; what I do care about is genuine friendships. Oh, and I love cats!
If you could have one free do over in life with no repercussions, what would that be?
I would write and tell more stories.
THANK YOU PERIOD IMAGES for letting us interview you!! I am very happy to have you visit and I’m looking forward to whatever you dream up…and LoTR and, and Once Upon a Time….and … well, you get the hint 🙂
It’s Valentine’s week!!! To celebrate, a few of my author friends and I are having a cyber party! Since Valentine’s Day is all about romance and love, we invite you to share your favorite love stories, movies, or true experiences. Please post, because we’d all love to hear!
Plus, we are having a little blog hop contest. If you play along, you’ll have a chance to win this great gift basket! (Approximate value is $50.)
Marie Higgins: Download of Crazy for You and $5 GC to Amazon
Amy Durham: Download of Dusk and $5GC (your choice Kindle and Nook)
Mary Martinez: Download of Honky Tonk and $5 GC to Starbucks
Sheri McGathy: Signed Print book of Elfen Gold (Please note the paper copy only applies to within the USA. If you live outside of the United States, you will receive a PDF copy of Elfen Gold in your e-mail.)
Judy Baker: Download of Better She Die and a $5 GC to Amazon
How can you win? You need to answer the five questions listed below. Each question has a link where the answer can be found. E-mail your answers to one of the five participating authors. Deadline is midnight 2/14/14. Winner will be announced along with all of the answers on all blogs on 2/15/14. Good luck.
1. What does Nerys do to free herself from Gerard’s grasp? Find answer here.
2. Mary’s wedding wasn’t your typical wedding, where was it? Find answer here.
3. What is Eli’s father’s name and where is he at? Find answer here.
4. Where did Amy and her husband get engaged? Find answer here.
5. In the Silver Sage Creek series, Sam Coulson, the Comanche half-breed, had an Indian name. What is it? Find answer here.
Thank you for participating. We look forward to your stories and comments. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Sheri L. McGathy, Marie Higgins, Mary Martinez, Amy Durham and Judy Baker
And now, an excerpt from Within the Shadow of Stone
~ And She Shall Be Named Shroud ~
The mist pooled at Bree’s feet, each step causing it to swirl in small eddies about her ankles. Its touch was gentle, a cool caress across her skin.
Sun Orb sat low in the sky while the silent hush of twilight hung over the land. Hazy streams of fading sunlight trickled down through the mist and cast the circle in dusky shades of gray. Soon, Moon Orb would claim the night sky to mark the passage of another day.
A warm breeze played over her skin and brushed the edges of her hair from her face. She closed her eyes and listened to its soft whisper. Within its voice, she thought she heard the teasing echo of a piper’s tune. She paused, her breath held, willing the song to life, if only within her mind. She began to hum. The notes swept through the circle to fill the silence with its haunting melody. The song called to her—invited her to join with it, to come and dance within its magic. Keeping her eyes sealed lest she awake from the dream and spoil the enchantment, she swayed to the rhythm of the pipe.
The song was an ancient one. The Legend of the Stone. She hadn’t heard it since she was a child. It had been a part of the Spirit Dance, sung on the day a Shroud gave her pledge to the stones and wed her chosen.
“A day I will never have.” Bree sighed. Her gaze sought the Spirit Stones standing like silent sentinels along the circle’s edge. Their presence a mocking reminder of what she could have been.
The music grew stronger, its voice calling her away from the past and back to the present. She straightened her shoulders. “Yet, I can still dance.”
Holding her arms before her, she stepped sideways, then back. Pointing her toe, she tapped it on the ground twice, then skipped forward while swinging her arms upward until her hands met. She clapped once, then turned back the way she’d come.
She dipped forward, the action sweeping her hair over her shoulder to form a silken curtain about her face. Stepping sideways, she skipped around the altar and reached toward one of the stones.
Bree paused with her arm stretched before her. The act—such a simple gesture—held great meaning to her. She recalled how, toward the end of the Spirit Dance, the men led the women forward, threading a path in and out amongst the towering megaliths, each woman caressing the rough sides as they swept past.
“And she shall be named Shroud.” Bree dropped her hand to her side.
She pushed her heavy locks aside and leaned her head back, letting her hair cascade downward. Lifting her arms, she clasped her hands above her head and pirouetted, her hair twirling out behind her as she spun across the circle.
When she reached the circle’s edge, she bowed low and waved one arm in front of her in a slow, graceful motion. As she rose, she balanced her arms out before her to spin one final time, coming to rest with her hands crossed over her chest.
“Joined, they shall be as one,” she whispered. “And her touch shall set them free.”
The music echoed through the circle, yet she no longer had the heart to continue the dance. Biting on her lower lip, she folded her arms beneath her breasts and stared down at the swirling mist as it wrapped itself about her legs.
If only things had been different, she found herself wishing. If only….
Bree closed her eyes. A single tear escaped through her sealed eyelids. There is only one I would have chosen, and he is beyond my choice.
The feather-light brush of fingertips caressed her cheek to wipe her tear away before tracing a path along her throat.
“‘Tis never too late to dream,” a voice whispered near her ear.
She opened her eyes.
Nathan held out his hand. “Come.”
She placed her hand in his and smiled as they skipped forward four steps. He paused. Stepping before her, he trailed his fingers across her waist while he danced around her. Then, gathering her in his arms, his long stride guided them across the circle, keeping their pace in time to the phantom piper’s tune.
Nathan led her along the circle’s edge, their steps weaving in and out amongst the silent stones. Bree reached out and caressed one, the rough surface scraping against her fingertips, as they swept past.
Moon Orb loomed overhead, its pale rays filtering through gaps in the mist to cocoon them in a shell of soft light. Fog hung low to the ground. The ethereal vapor rolled back in billowy waves as they glided through.Moisture laced the air, its dewy touch causing their skin to glisten in the moonlight.
An errant wind swept through the circle to snatch up the piper’s tune and carry it away. A mournful wail announced its departure and cast the circle in sorrow.
Nathan moved away from the stones and back within the circle. Pressing his hand against her back, he drew her close and slowed his steps. Laying his cheek against hers, he continued to twirl them in slow, lazy turns around the altar long after the music had faded and left them wrapped in silence.
They came to rest at the circle’s center. Nathan cradled her within his arms, his chin resting upon her head. Bree sighed and laid her cheek against his chest, comforted by the steady beat of his heart. The faint smell of heather tickled her nose, its scent a reminder of the springtime of her youth and of a world where dreams held promise.
“You have named me true, even if only in my mind,” she whispered against his chest. “And I have chosen you.”
He placed his finger beneath her chin and coaxed her to look up. Without taking his stare from hers, he bent down and brushed his lips across hers. “Joined, we shall be as one.”
Then, like the music, he too faded, leaving her alone.
Marie says: Sheri McGathy…I think I want this pic next!!!I say, How about this one?
As you can see, I love Period Images stock!
