Judging a Book by Its Cover

One of the worst sayings ever is 'Don't judge a book by its cover.'  Well, I've known many book cover designers in my life, and let me tell you, they take their jobs seriously.  So actually, you really should.  One of the biggest things that people were afraid of in the transition to eBooks over print, buying online instead of browsing in a real bookstore, was the power of the book cover.

Interesting that we still put so much into creating a selling image for a book, even though it's an eBook downloaded digitally directly from the Web onto a device.  We've even maintained close to the standard sizes and dimensions.  I am one of those people who doesn't believe the physical book is going to disappear anytime soon, but I love that even eBook exclusive originals have covers that are in a 6x9 perspective.  Really, what are the dimensions of an eBook?  But you know what?  We still need a visual image to market and sell the book.

So the cover remains.  And it's more important than ever.  Even if you're self-publishing, direct to eBook, I really urge you to put a cover image to your book.  It's your opportunity to create a selling tool, paint a picture of your story.

Now we're supposed to be talking about erotica on this blog, so let's talk about hot naked man torsos!  I may be extremely biased here, but it really is all about the pectorals and the abs and the inguinal ligament, isn't it?  Or big giant biceps wrapped around a woman with ecstasy face.

There are so many standards in book cover design depending on the genre.  From man with briefcase running.  Wrought-iron fence at an interesting angle.  Adirondack chairs at sunset.  In erotica, you got the hot man torso or the hot woman with man torso.  There's man in cowboy hat leaning on fence.  Why do the cowboys always lean on fences?  There's the black and purple lit torso.  There's the realistic photographed torso.  And now there's the article of clothing on black background.  Just about the only no-no is the all-text cover.

The Old Standards

One of my favorite things about erotica is that all the men have jobs or backgrounds that are icons of masculinity.  In a general overview it gives a great insight into what turns us on.  You still go home to the boyfriend, lover or husband, or out on a date with a guy who works in insurance or accounting, but when you lose yourself in a steamy novel, don't you want to read about:

Cowboys, ranchers, Navy SEALs, Marines, special ops forces, firemen, cops, CIA operatives, spies, Highlanders, vampires, vampire hunters, shapeshifters,  dukes and lords, pirates, rebels, tattooed bad boys, professional athletes, personal trainers, even immortals, gods and lesser gods, demons and angels, rock stars, CEOs, billionaires, astronauts, pilots, and senior editors.  OK, I made that last one up.

Relaunch of fagblog -- new topic!

Hello all,

This was my original blog, but you know, I still love the name of it, so when I decided to launch into a new topic, actually I think the name of this one is perfectly fine.  So without further blathering, let me announce the relaunch of the fagblog blog.  I'm Bob, and I am the senior acquisitions editor for a new line of... erotica!

Yes, yes, it's true.  And this blog is my personal journal, resource, contact point, and informational site to find out what I'm working on, what I'm publishing, what I'm looking for, and where you can find out all my deep thoughts on erotica and erotic romance.

Now, I know, most of the folks that found me here previously were more connected with fantasy and horror.  I still love those subjects.  I'll acquire books in ANY genre for publication, so feel free to contact me with your query in any area.  But for the purposes of this blog, I'm going to focus on the subject at hand.

And as always, and actually more so now, since I am now an active acquiring editor, if you're a writer, email me and talk to me.  SMHIOF@gmail.com.  I get a lot of spam and junk mail, so please put FAGBLOG in the subject line so I know you're a reader from here.

Now let's get started talking about SEX!

Moving and Renamed

Hello previous followers,

I'm going to make a new attempt to post. If you're looking for me, my new blog is at:

http://inspirecreatewrite.blogspot.com

I made this blog name on a whim originally, after that tortuous task of having to find a name not already taken. But honestly, it's not what I want to move forward with. So, my new blog is about writing, posting my own, creating writing projects, and communing with other people interested in putting thought to word.

So if you're looking for more writing exercises and inspiration, join me there!

Hot New Thriller

Hey there, all, it's been forever yet again.

And now for a gratuitous advertisement. But I think a lot of people who have found me in the past would be interested. I work for St. Martin's Press. We were the original publishers of The Silence of the Lambs years ago. People around here still remember the buzz about it before it came out. Well, we have a new discovery in the serial killer novel. If you remember Hannibal Lechter, you'll love Gretchen Lowell in HEARTSICK, the hot new debut novel from author Chelsea Cain.

And for those of you who found me here for writing exercise, if you are also on myspace, you can become friends with Gretchen Lowell. And she has a nice little writing exercise request for you on her comments section.

Gretchen's mantra is, "Love hurts. Sometimes it's torture." If you become her friend, she asks you to write a little poem using those words in it. You can find her at:

www.myspace.com/gretchenlowell

Have fun! And when it comes out this fall, find HEARTSICK in your local bookstore. It's creepy fun!

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

On Saturday I'm off with Julie and our son Parker on a cruise on the Norwegian Dawn with R Family Vacations. I'll report in after our return and hopefully get some good pix.

Cutest Picture Ever

He's very photogenic. Even if I'm in the picture with him:

ALMOST A YEAR!?!

Have I really gone a year without posting a thing to this site? I'm so remiss.

Where did I leave off! Well, I know many of you found me through the Tiny Stories project, and we had so much fun with it. Lisa and I had some hopes for it that did not pan out, but we love the format of the story and keep thinking about ways to do something fun with it.

If we ever do, we certainly will come back to any of you that submitted stories and see if you'd still be interested to be included into a project.

In any event, so much to do, so little time. I will try to be back on here more often, posting my inane thoughts and comments and coming up with other things for us all to do together. Here's a thought for you:

Shortest poem ever:

I.
Why?

Let Me Make This Clear...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fagblogger Po and his friend Jill Potts want to be clear: they are not straight.

In the August issue of AP, the Asbury Park Magazine, the local personality explains that some people misunderstand his close friendship with Potts.

"I understand why people think we're straight," she says. "There isn't a definition in our culture for this kind of bond between people. So I get why people have to label it -- how can you be this close without it being sexual?"

In a long article, Po, 39, and Potts converse about their 30 years of friendship and "four-times-a-day text messages."

The two friends say they would have no problem telling the public if they were in a sexual relationship.

"The truth is, if we were straight, we would tell you, because there's nothing wrong with being straight," says Potts.

Says Po: "Something about this relationship feels otherworldly to me, like it was designed by a power and a hand greater than my own. Whatever this friendship is, it's been a very fun ride."

An Interesting Description

I just said this about someone. Perhaps you know what I mean. Perhaps you know someone just like the guy I was describing:

"Sure, he's brilliant. But he's brilliant in his own little world."

A Little Change in My Pocket?

Am I the only one that thinks the new $10 bill looks like somebody spilled their coffee on it? Every time I pull one of my pocket, I think it might still be wet.

Watering and Scratching My Way through April

ACK! ALLERGY SEASON!

I wish I could take my eyeballs out, wash them, and put them back in.

I wonder... do animals get allergies? You never see a squirrel using a nasal spray.

Not to Be Uncaring, But...

There is something intrinsically wrong with these news stories today...

[from cnn.com...]
"The teens planned to wear black trench coats and disable the school's camera system before starting the attack between noon and 1 p.m. Thursday, Norman said. Sheriff's deputies found guns, ammunition, knives and coded messages in the bedroom of one suspect and documents about firearms and references to Armageddon in two suspects' school lockers.

Apparently, they had been plotting since the beginning of the school year. Norman said school officials began investigating Tuesday after learning a threatening message had been posted on MySpace.com."

And with this comment from a parent who lived near the kidnapper-rapist of two teenage girls...

[again, from cnn.com]...
"My kids stayed down there, camped down there with him and cooked down there with him," said Donna McGee, who knew Hinson for four years. "Nobody ever suspected anything."


Are you kidding me? It's time for a new national mantra. It's probably one of the most difficult things one can say, especially in situations like these, but I can't help thinking it. You don't want to hear it, but you know you're thinking it, too....

BLAME THE PARENTS!

THERE SHOULD BE A LAW!

This might be a bit specific, but...

If you work from home, and you live across the street from an office building, and you're a nudist, and you're not Nick Lachey, you should be required to have blinds.

Free Stuff

I think the Internet has officially overextended its usefulness. My babymomma told me about a website where you can give things away. So much for online selling, bartering, auctioning. Now you can just give away that crap that didn't sell at your last garage sale. I know you're all dying to know. It's called freecycling. The main website is freecycle.org where you can then find the freecycle group for your area. They usually take the form of a Yahoo Group. People post stuff they have that they don't need, and instead of throwing it out, you offer it to other people in your neighborhood. The more selfish option is to post the things you need. How ghetto is that. It's very popular with parents... giving away old clothes their children have outgrown, infant furniture, crib mattresses, etc. People even offer coupons that they aren't going to use.

But some people take it a little bit too far. The things people won't throw out. Broken appliances ["offer: broken radio. Maybe someone good with their hands can make this thing work."] , pieces of lumber, half-used packages of products. My friend recently reported that a woman in her town posted that she had an almost-full box of tampons, and she 'wasn't going to need them anymore.' They were snapped up quickly. Now who's scarier: the woman giving away the opened box of tampons or the woman who took them from a complete stranger? So much for accepting candy from a stranger! Join your local group. It's great entertainment, and you'll feel so much better about yourself. Because once you see the types of freaks there are out there in the world, you'll feel so much more sane and normal. In my area, someone just offered a bag of sand.

Reading

I've been reading THE DARK CHAMBER, by Leonard Cline, first published in 1927, recently reprinted by Cold Spring Press. There's something eery and ominous in the writing. I'm really enjoying it. It's one of those books where not a whole lot happens, you don't really know what's really going on, but you keep imagining so much that it hooks you. The interweaving relationships of the characters all living in this big giant house together draw you in, and I have to say, I'm half way through, and I feel like anything can happen. Nobody tell me! I can't wait to find out what Richard Price is up to with his experiments.

Sometimes She Worries Me...

My coworker just said to me:

"You know, I think the president of Iran is kinda hot."

H.R. Reminder

Remember, April 27 is Bring Your Cretin to Work Day.

So Much for Spring

Here's a pic of the Empire State Building as seen from our offices this morning.
Trust me, it's still there.

The First Sign of Spring

It's officially spring now. The first sign of spring has appeared. I don't mean the cardinal that appeared on my patio this weekend. Nor the fact that the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park has reopened. Nor do I mean that it is 60 degrees out. No, to me the first sign is... well, a sign. The street vendor who sells coffee out of a big aluminum box parked on the curb had a new little sign on his plastic window today:

"ICE COFFE 1.75"