My little brother is finishing up editing my first novella, America Goes On, which is a story about a Marine travelling across the country in his truck after a stint in Iraq. I actually wrote this three years ago when I returned from Iraq as social commentary on American society, but after looking at it a few months ago, I realized the writing was total shit. After some much needed re-working, it will hopefully be released shortly and generate some interest.
Most of the books and movies I have seen or read about Iraq veterans have been horrendous, characters that are
completely absurd stereotypes and
borderline offensive. We have a long way to go if we want to have the same cultural impact that the post-Vietnam Vietnam movies and books had, like
Tim O' Brien![](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=paulsal-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0767904427)
. The only good piece of fiction I've ever found about Iraq is
Senator's Son![](http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=paulsal-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00328HHRQ)
, not surprisingly written by a someone who actually served there.
Seeing how no one's going to buy a book without a cover, I decided to whip something up in Powerpoint.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZu-q8g-O3iZP-gu4ZwgUmXnmjC_fCkdYYJX0obJGb_ihw0HHErZXVzbYjZ1L2yCHLSy6Gyd1yPppPy0txc6-Bsj0yfDBx2zKry9mp0ePzYcWpAzUL7OG6C7V8QwQwkTrBvWHcqSqSsY/s200/America+Goes+On+Cover.jpg) |
Terrible |
After sobering up and realizing that I never really advanced in my artistic ability beyond fingerpainting in kindergarten, I decided to contract out the job. Convincing a Thai colleague of mine to do the job for 1,500THB (about $US50), she tried her first ebook cover and this is what she came up with.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoIAw0ngDBbK-gFHOH-aFzXleu0_s3bk0H7sbZuWdQL8lNcSzKL8dFCph9X2VrvPrHx4Vpvg2C_rcuS8BIbUyAZ0LMQL6006fEGm_-cEOC2VVal382FIzBGFm-uFBUnTwCFUrkl36aCE/s1600/AmericaGoesOn_Small.jpg) |
Much Better | |
|
The story has a very cynical and depressing outlook on modern America, so I felt the bizarro cover does the tale justice. I'm very happy with her first attempt, and I hope to develop a long-term business relationship with her. Much cheaper than rates in the West, where ebook covers often cost $300-$500. The downside is she does not speak any English. Do you know the Thai for "
Please create an ebook cover with an American desert setting that forebodes doom and despair during a young Marine's travels"? Me neither.
For those patriots who refuse to work with artisans in developing countries in Southeast Asia, the always on-point
Lindsay Buroker has some recommendations on where to find good rates for ebook cover (about $US100). Before huffing at the prices, remember that ebook covers are an investment, not just throwing money away on booze and candy.
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First Novella Cover - America Goes On
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