Quick Notes

The manuscript is now with a line editor after a long self-edit based on the constructive feedback from my beta readers. The cover art is finished, and I’ve hired Miblart in Ukraine to create the typography and spine and back cover art, drawing from the cover art. So now what?

I can’t be without a creative project, just wired that way. Doesn’t matter what the project is, music, drawing, building models, theatre, video projects, I’ve got to have a project going, so no waiting around for me. Book one is the first book of a series, so I’m researching for book 2. I’m turning a screenplay of mine, a noir Old West fantasy, into a novel. And I’ve just finished creating the front matter and back matter for book one.

If you’re new to book writing, front matter includes the title page, copyright page, table of contents (mandatory for eBooks, since the chapter titles are links, and not mandatory for physical fiction books), dedication, a preface or author’s note, if you want one, and the forward — an introductory bit by someone other than the author, and usually found in nonfiction books.

Back matter can include an index, appendices (usually only found in nonfiction), glossary (sometimes found in novels), bibliography (usually nonfiction), references (nonfiction), an afterword (sometimes in fiction), and a bit about the author.

I don’t think there are front and back matter police, so I’ve seen a lot of variation out there.

I’m also researching what I’m going to do about marketing and an author’s website. And speaking of that, here’s something you might find interesting:

The 2025 Indie Author Survey Results. This is by far the best guide I’ve found for self-publishers. It’s packed with relevant and just amazing information. Thanks to my talented writer-wife for bringing it to my attention.

I promised I’d give you a peek at the finished cover art for my first novel, so here it is in 96 DPI:

Cover art for the forthcoming “Guardian in Exile: The God Eater’s Hellion,” a novel.

It’s the work of Chris McGrath who created the cover art for all of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and many others as well. The deliverable is a 350 DPI JPG, and he also gave me the 350 DPI PDF, which the designer of the typography will want to work with.

The Title of forthcoming Book 1 is… “Guardian in Exile: The God Eater’s Hellion.”

When Miblart finishes the typography, spine, and back cover art, you, my loyal readers, will be the first to see the result.

Thanks for sticking with me.