Tag Archives: 99designs

Sep 03 2017
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Self Publishing, Uncategorized

How the West Was Zombed – Cover Contest – New Poll

Hey 3.5 readers.

BQB here.

I’m stuck.  Having a hard time picking a winner for my How the West Was Zombed book cover contest.

It’s down to two.  There’s the first with the cowboy in the trenchcoat, a shadow of the cowboy looking down over the shadow of a cowboy riding a werewolf, chasing a train and fighting zombies.  I like it because this designer actually attempted what I was looking for and it reminds me of a Louis L’Amour novel cover.  They all usually feature a solid color on the front and then a drawing of a cowboy doing some cowboy shit in the center.

The second one seems pretty standard, a bit of a tribute to Clint Eastwood.  I put two different versions, blue shirt vs. black shirt.  He wears a black shirt in the story but the blue shirt seems to pop more on the cover.

I think I like the first more but my gut tells me the thumbnail of the second would pop more in the Amazon store and sadly that’s usually what matters most.

What do all 3.5 of you think?

https://99designs.com/contests/poll/d5bp3j

 

 

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Apr 29 2017
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Self Publishing

99 Designs Expands Its Book Business

Hey 3.5 readers.

Came across this interesting PR Newswire press release.

99 Designs has been providing authors with the ability to hold book cover design contests for a long time.  Now they’re branching out into book layout, typesetting, interior book design, basically.

Could be a boon for self-publishers.  I know I tried Adobe one time, gave up on trying to figure it out, and came to the conclusion that if the inside of my book was ever going to look good I was going to have to hire someone to do it.

What say you, 3.5 readers?

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Nov 21 2016
1 Comment
Writing Prompts

Help Me Choose a Cover for Bookshelf Q. Battler’s Big Book of Badass Writing Prompts

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The results of my 99Designs book cover contest are in, 3.5 readers.

I don’t want to say anything.  I want you to feast your peepers on these designs cold and tell me what you, as a potential purchaser, would think when you see these designs.

Which one would should I choose and why?  Tell me what you’d think of the book based on the various designs and any other comments you find helpful.

I’ll share my thoughts later but I want to hear what you have to say without hearing anything from me to bias the results first.

Check out the designs here then tell me what you think in the blog comments here at Bookshelf Battle.

 

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Nov 17 2016
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Writing Prompts

BQB’s Book Cover Design Contest

By: Special Guest Blogger Video Game Rack Fighter

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Hey 3.5 readers.

BQB is passed the hell out on the floor for the moment, so I’ll fill you in.

As you are all aware, our favorite resident yeti fighter does not like to part with money.

But he finally did it. He put up some dough to get a 99Designs contest going.

That’s right. He’s going to publish a book of writing prompts.

In fact, before his face hit the floor, he told me that the title will be, “Bookshelf Q. Battler’s Big Book of Badass Writing Prompts: 101 Scintillating Scenarios to Stimulate Your Cranial Excretions.”

Sigh. Don’t tell him I said this but the only thing it will stimulate is a one-way ticket to Amazon’s virtual 99 cent bin.

Did I say that? No. I’m the ever supportive VGRF and what I meant to say was that this will probably be the boot in the ass he needs to get him going.

Once he sets up an author profile and has something to offer as an author, we can only hope that he will continue to work to get an actual novel out there so the Mighty Potentate won’t vaporize us all into the stone age.

No pressure, BQB.

At any rate, 3.5 readers, I figure the guy must love you all, because he actually opened up his wallet.

HE NEVER OPENS HIS WALLET.

No joke, whenever we go out on a date he’ll take me to Mighty Burger and offer to degrease the grease traps just to avoid paying for my choice off the dollar menu.

So in other words, he really loves you guys since he was so willing to part with money, an act which has made him pass out.

I can only hope he will wake up soon so the yeti will stop resting his hairy feet on him as if he were some kind of nerd shaped Ottoman.

I suppose I could stop that furry freak but unlike BQB, I am not a champion yeti fighter.

Results are expected in a week and if BQB doesn’t like any of the designs he can say no thanks.

But be ready to help him choose one.

Take care, 3.5

P.S. in the meantime, take a look at his writing prompts and tell him what you think.

 

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Jul 22 2015
4 Comments
Self Publishing

Banner Photos

Hi 3.5 Readers,

BQB=Cheap SOB

BQB=Cheap SOB

Hate to do it, you all know how cheap I am, but I’m thinking about opening up the ole wallet and letting the moths fly out to get some banner photos.

What I’m thinking about:

  • Banner images that could be used as the header photo on this site, plus on Twitter and Facebook.
  • Probably through 99 designs.

Possible ideas:

1)  As you know, Alien Jones and I allow the Yeti out of his cage once a week to watch Scandal.  It’s our special Scandal night.  The three of us eat chips and dip and talk about Olivia’s latest adventures.

The image would be a nerd to represent myself sitting on a couch between the Yeti and Alien Jones with a TV in front of us.

Should my main squeeze Video Game Rack Fighter also be on the couch?  Could be cool, could be crowded.  Cuz then, do I have to add Dr. Hugo Von Science, Uncle Hardass and other subsidiary characters?

2)  Not exactly Star Wars but a Star Wars – esque poster where a nerd, that would be me, is in some kind of action pose, holding a ray gun or something, Video Game Rack Fighter clutching me….Dr. Hugo and Alien Jones have my back, the Yeti looms large ready to eat me or something.

3)  Maybe just my bookshelf with battles going on it.  A bunch of books and little characters running around on the shelves attacking each other.

Which one of these ideas do you like and do you have any others, 3.5 Readers?

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Jan 19 2015
2 Comments
Self Publishing

99designs

The site where artists give you several options to chose from when it comes to your self-published ebook cover.

Anyone out there use it?  Anyone want to discuss their experience with it?  If so, comment away!

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