I have learned quite a bit since I published my first book, and even more since the second. I thank those who have helped me with information and opinions, especially when I was so defensively protecting my right to a different opinion. Now, I hope my query about the men on the cover of 'End All To Be All' isn't taken out of context. I changed the cover of my first book after too many people commented that they thought it was a horror tale. ~ lol
Recently I was asked why I chose to put split faces on the cover of 'End All To Be All'. After acknowledging that I realize some people are of the notion that cover design should be left to the 'professionals', I commented that as a child I always enjoyed book covers that seemed to tell a story and liked the suspense of reading to discover if my perception was on point. I understand this is not a quality everyone appreciates, so I'm curious. ~ What was your first reaction to seeing the cover of 'End All to Be All'? Did you think one side was the face of a Black man, and the other the face of a White man?
Anyway, after more commentary I gave this explanation. "The split face is actually facets of the same man. On the left his face is beaten by addiction and his heart is filled with darkness. On the other side he is clean, groomed and healthy. His heart is a lighter shade to depict the peace that comes with restoration."
I didn't bother to offer more, but for the sake of this conversation with you, although this story is about an African American male, ~ Spoiler alert ~ he is a product of Black parents who posed and passed as Caucasian while he was growing up. BUT the story doesn't revolve around this per se. It revolves around life circumstances - love, pain, economic struggle, and the how and why some people succumb to addiction. The focal point of the story is how despite every negative aspect of life, people can and do pick themselves up to start again.
This person's next comment raked my nerves and I realized I'm still not ready for a book signing or interview. She snootily said, "Don't you think the title is somewhat too preachy?" I countered with what she perceived as belligerence. "Perception is not always reality, and sometimes comprehension is even further from it. Although 'End All To Be All' doesn't fit the paradigm of someone thinking they are the 'end all to be all' in a given situation, in order to be all one can be, sometimes one has to end all that one is doing. When I wrote the book the name seemed to fit the billing for a residential recovery facility filled with drug addicts."
Hopefully my public etiquette will be improved by the time I release my third novel, 'Sienna'. ~ lol
In the meantime, you can help. Both novels - Born To Return The Gift and End All To Be All are available for free through Amazon's Kindle Prime Program. Check them out and voice your opinions with a review. I can stand the heat. ~ Thank You!
Recently I was asked why I chose to put split faces on the cover of 'End All To Be All'. After acknowledging that I realize some people are of the notion that cover design should be left to the 'professionals', I commented that as a child I always enjoyed book covers that seemed to tell a story and liked the suspense of reading to discover if my perception was on point. I understand this is not a quality everyone appreciates, so I'm curious. ~ What was your first reaction to seeing the cover of 'End All to Be All'? Did you think one side was the face of a Black man, and the other the face of a White man?
Anyway, after more commentary I gave this explanation. "The split face is actually facets of the same man. On the left his face is beaten by addiction and his heart is filled with darkness. On the other side he is clean, groomed and healthy. His heart is a lighter shade to depict the peace that comes with restoration."
I didn't bother to offer more, but for the sake of this conversation with you, although this story is about an African American male, ~ Spoiler alert ~ he is a product of Black parents who posed and passed as Caucasian while he was growing up. BUT the story doesn't revolve around this per se. It revolves around life circumstances - love, pain, economic struggle, and the how and why some people succumb to addiction. The focal point of the story is how despite every negative aspect of life, people can and do pick themselves up to start again.
This person's next comment raked my nerves and I realized I'm still not ready for a book signing or interview. She snootily said, "Don't you think the title is somewhat too preachy?" I countered with what she perceived as belligerence. "Perception is not always reality, and sometimes comprehension is even further from it. Although 'End All To Be All' doesn't fit the paradigm of someone thinking they are the 'end all to be all' in a given situation, in order to be all one can be, sometimes one has to end all that one is doing. When I wrote the book the name seemed to fit the billing for a residential recovery facility filled with drug addicts."
Hopefully my public etiquette will be improved by the time I release my third novel, 'Sienna'. ~ lol
In the meantime, you can help. Both novels - Born To Return The Gift and End All To Be All are available for free through Amazon's Kindle Prime Program. Check them out and voice your opinions with a review. I can stand the heat. ~ Thank You!
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