This was my third book cover (but my second book, I think. I’m not going to look it up.) Streetlight Graphics again, and for always, they are so good. But this cover was not what I wanted, although it gradually became one of my favorites.

Arroyo is a weird western with three main characters. Ramona the witch, Sinjin the Indian (India) prince, and Daniel the angel. The story opens with Ramona captured by the Indian prince and forced to climb up the side of an arroyo with a wooden Indian statue strapped to her back. Perfect visual for the pulp style adventure Arroyo is. I wanted to see a buxom Mexican beauty clawing for purchase at the lip of the canyon top and falling off with her wooden Indian statue still on her back. Screaming in terror (the young woman, not the statue). Pure pulp.

The above is what I got. And it took me a long time to realize that my three heroes were indeed standing at the bottom of an arroyo. The above artwork actually fits the book, and I guess my vision was too complicated. I did not ask. And over time I came to love this cover. It attracts reader everywhere we sell it (except on line, alas).

Purpose of this little essay: the cover artist might just know better than the writer. And in this case, he did.

This was the original cover to my first book. We made it all by ourselves (with the help of a friend). Spent a lot of time driving the countryside snapping photos of fields, cattle, flowers, trees, houses, horses. You get the idea.

I still like it, but about a year later we decided to get more professional and hired Streetlight Graphics to re-format the book and create a new cover. If I remember correctly, their first try was of a giant golf ball (because some of the story concerns the golf course that was mistakenly built on a wealthy reclusive woman’s ranch. I didn’t keep that so I can’t show you. And I don’t remember how much back and forth we did before coming up with the silhouette idea you see above.

The idea didn’t come from me (other than adding the golf clubs and bag, I think.) Usually I have an idea in mind, and then my sister adds her input, then we see what Glendon can do. But on my first novel, Streetlight Graphics was on its own.

I’m proud of every one of my 18 book covers, but especially proud of the above. Wish I could feature the back cover of the paperback too (actually, I probably can but it would be awkward.)

Streetlight Graphics in London, Kentucky is my partner in the creating my books’ covers. Sometimes they are exactly what I asked for, sometimes they are head and shoulders better than my idea. There’s not a one of them I’m not happy with. Or that doesn’t match the story.

Maybe featuring them here is something I can share? I’ll think about it.

You can buy Tiger Tiger Burning Bright from Amazon (e-book or paperback), Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble Nook.

I have almost finished writing my next novel. Took longer than it should because I got lazy and took about three months off. Sometimes that turns out to be a blessing. Your imagination carries you off to places you never dreamed of. Of course, the opposite is also possible. You lose your way, or your interest. I don’t recommend it. But it happens.

What I ended up with was a new title, a different cover concept, and a completely unexpected way to end my story.

I think you’ll enjoy it. FYI At this time almost all my books are priced 99 cents. Please take advantage. I’ll likely push the price back to normal in May.

Have a great weekend. And read a book.

A cat picture to start the week. This is Yukon. A sweeter cat never lived.

Well, I’m about two week’s writing and editing work to the end of my 2023 novel. A haunted house tale. Much of it has been fun to write. Some of it difficult. Hope I like it when it’s done.

You can find my other books at Amazon, Nook, Smashwords, BookPeople in Austin, Texas, and Logo’s and Wendy R’s in Lockhart, Texas (along with great bbq).

Sunday we’re going shopping for a king cake and a muffuletta. Going to watch the Disney movie The Princess and the Frog. And maybe the James Bond movie Live and Let Die.

Happy Mardi Gras, y’all.

Here are some of my book covers. All done in collaboration with Streetlight Graphics.

I love each and every one of them. Thank you.

I love horror and have written (three?) horror books, but until now, not any that involved ghosts or haunted houses. So, now that I am scant chapters from finishing my first ghost story novel, well, I’m excited. The working title isn’t going to cut it, but I have an alternative that should work.

Normally I don’t have any trouble with titles. Mostly I have the titles all worked out before I even put the first word down on page one.

When I finish this book I’m going to write a series of short stories. Then my plan is to go back to the Boo Radley mystery series of mine and write the third of them. Books one and two are Talking to the Dead Guys and Tea with a Dead Gal. They are about two sisters with a huge dog that pulls them into mysteries taking place in Lockhart, Texas (famous for its barbeque).

Wish me luck.

Let’s make this upcoming week a better time for everyone.