
Welcome to the first Insecure Writer’s Group post of the year for me. Somehow January scarpered, and here we are in the first post for February. If you’re thinking of joining the group yourself, let me reassure you that once a month posts really aren’t as difficult as I’m making it look. Come join us!
This month the kind co-hosts keeping us all on track are Jacqui Murray, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Gwen Gardner!
Our optional question for this month is a fun one. If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them?
And oh, my beloved bookworm friends, I could spin you such a tale of mechanical woe. I could tell you stories, both funny and true, of a geriatric millennial who came of age while adding music to a PowerPoint was a big fad in yearbook class, everyone knew the same five memes because memes were in their infant larvae form, and the Oregon Trail and Burger Time were still new (not yet nostalgic). A millennial, in fact, who grew up right before the internet became this multi-tentacled, all-knowing, ever-present thing wired directly to billions of brains.
The result of growing up in a time when everyone had begun to use computers, but no one really knew how they worked means . . . neither do I. What is Wifi? How does it fly through the air to deliver gifs to my screen? Why do some computers still need a wire connected to the wall, what the fuck is an HDMI, and WHY can I never find it when I need it? Is the whole thing magic? Magic is inherently complicated, demands high payment, can be nasty, is often run by invisible, contrary, destructive beings, and usually ends with someone losing blood, and THIS SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE THE INTERNET TO ME. Oh my gods, the internet is black magic and we are already caught in its spell.

The upshot of this rather lengthy aside was to assure you that I know nothing about creating and editing media on a computer. Still less about making media that is both well done, and pleasing to the eye. To me, it was more than worth it to pay for the services of someone who has those gifts in abundance. There are many wonderful choices out there, but I went with Jaycee DeLorenzo of Sweet ‘N Spicy designs. And look at how good she is!


Isn’t she amazing? I told Jaycee ‘a cover with tentacles, they’re kinda important to the plot, and can it have purple as a theme?’ and she didn’t even bat an eyelash. Just made all of my dreams come true. Her prices are extremely reasonable, and she offers many different media services besides just book covers. I wholeheartedly recommend working with her if you’re an Indie author in the market for graphic media.
You described the internet so well. I understand it now and will take steps to protect myself. Perhaps a burning sage candles or a cross as I roam it?
Those are gorgeous covers!
Thank you!
I am myself in favor of a decorative garlic wreath hung on the wall over my computer, but I don’t think a cross would hurt at all. In every book with magic in it, the belief is the main protection factor. Blessed be, and safe travels in your internet wanderings!
Thanks for your feedback on this topic. I don’t feel so old now, lol. When Oregon Trail came out (no computers where I was) I had the kids in my 5-8 class (another story) keep a journal as if they were on the trail. 🙂 (No deaths)
What a fun way to mix history and computers and make it personal! Excellent teaching strategy, I would have loved a teacher like you. Thanks for stopping by!
I wasn’t raised with computers either. Now, even two and three year olds know how to use them. But I’m better at computers than my hubs, so there is that. LOL.
Sure, 2 and 3 year olds know how to use them. But do they know the difference between hardware and software? And if they do, can they tell me? I’m probably about at a 3 year old level of understanding when it comes to those, LOL
I loved Oregon Trail. Even though it wouldn’t run well on my school computers, the kids and I loved playing it.
I learned a lot about being prepared for long trips from that game. To this day I have to fight the urge to bring flour and bacon on road trips. I definitely take lots and lots of water with us, though. You never know, that game may save my life.
Hi, S.E. You’re so funny! As a retired elementary teacher, I absolutely remember Oregon Trail. One of my students went on to fourth grade and discovered how to hack the program and write things on the tombstones. I largely don’t understand the internet myself. I operate on a need-to-know basis. Have a great February!
Okay, your student was a wizard. I don’t make the rules, they are now a wizard whether they like it or not. Happy IWSG day!
They are awesome. And she’s the reason I don’t even try to make my own covers. Unless, unless, it is for personal use only. hehehe
Great post. I was in stitches. 🙂
<a href=”http://emaginette.wordpress.com”> Anna from elements of emaginette</a>
You have to back me up on this 90s nostalgia nonsense! At least we could limit the vintage timeline or something. It’s practically the 1920s all over again, let’s leave “vintage” there.
And she does a great job. Wise to hire someone to do the covers.
She really does! A good artist has that eye, and Jaycee is a good artist.