Just In From My Publisher's Graphics Department

[SteveMetz]

[Stan]

Hey Steve !

Overall, I like the design but the sort of brown top and bottom tends to take away from the picture. The top portion has just dead room and is far too large to be empty as well as being larger than the the space for the Author's name.

I have a reputation for being picky (anal). That said, "American Strategy" leads me to believe it was 'America's Idea', and we are only too well aware of our public's opinion and huge support for those in harm's way.

I don't like the fact that the text for IRAQ AMPERSAND is larger than that of AMERICAN STRATEGY. I'd make the two equal, but never make the American text smaller than Iraq Ampersand's.

Will we be getting discount rates on the book

[SteveMetz]

Hey Steve !

Overall, I like the design but the sort of brown top and bottom tends to take away from the picture. The top portion has just dead room and is far too large to be empty as well as being larger than the the space for the Author's name.

I have a reputation for being picky (anal). That said, "American Strategy" leads me to believe it was 'America's Idea', and we are only too well aware of our public's opinion and huge support for those in harm's way.

I don't like the fact that the text for IRAQ AMPERSAND is larger than that of AMERICAN STRATEGY. I'd make the two equal, but never make the American text smaller than Iraq Ampersand's.

Will we be getting discount rates on the book

Hmm. I see your point but I was kind of assuming that the publisher's graphics department knew what sold.

My guess is that within a few weeks of release, everyone will be getting discount rates.

[Stan]

Hmm. I see your point but I was kind of assuming that the publisher's graphics department knew what sold.

My guess is that within a few weeks of release, everyone will be getting discount rates.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be an SOB and yes, publisher's tend to know what sells. I won't judge your book by its cover and will gladly read it.

[SteveMetz]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be an SOB and yes, publisher's tend to know what sells. I won't judge your book by its cover and will gladly read it.

I didn't take it that way. I take very little seriously, particularly myself.

[Rank amateur]

I'm really interested in seeing how it ends. No spoilers here until we've all had a chance to read it.

Are you going to be on The Daily Show like Mr. Nagl?

[SteveMetz]

I'm really interested in seeing how it ends. No spoilers here until we've all had a chance to read it.

Are you going to be on The Daily Show like Mr. Nagl?

On the final page we find that Bill Kristol murdered sanity with a candlestick.

But seriously, the problem is that it won't end. I'm on like page 450 of the draft and new material that I have to integrate comes out about as fast as I can stuff it in.

[selil]

Hey! Need a reviewer.. I find that is the cheapest way to get to read books. Sometimes they even call you names inside the book.

[SteveMetz]

Hey! Need a reviewer.. I find that is the cheapest way to get to read books. Sometimes they even call you names inside the book.

I may once I get the manuscript to the publisher. I'll post a call for volunteers in here.

[Rank amateur]

the problem is that it won't end.

Lots of people agree with you. If you're on The Daily Show, I'll help you write some schtick.

[goesh]

There's something about the photo used - remove the "stockphoto" from it, that begs dust and bookworms to come calling, too mundane, too blase, like some guy on his first day in country snapped a pic for mom and pop back home - use a diagonal slash/ 2 crystal clear B&W pictures: 1 showing a wrecked vehicle from an IED, the other a scene of a patrol and interaction with Iraqis on the street - tell the graphics people goesh said they don't know what the f*** they are doing

that was a bit rough but it just seems they are targeting a military audience only which is fine but it aint going to keep them big T-bone steaks on your grill for you

[Rank amateur]

I'll side with the graphics department. Some will see heroes driving out to fight for freedom. Some will see heroes driving into an IED because of idiot politicians who can't admit their mistakes. Both will - hopefully - buy the book looking for proof of their existing beliefs.

Your way, both groups of people will say, "The book is trying to be unbiased therefore it must be full of crap, because I know the truth." (The publishers know that the market of people looking for the unbiased truth is actually very small.)

[SteveMetz]

There's something about the photo used - remove the "stockphoto" from it, that begs dust and bookworms to come calling, too mundane, too blase, like some guy on his first day in country snapped a pic for mom and pop back home - use a diagonal slash/ 2 crystal clear B&W pictures: 1 showing a wrecked vehicle from an IED, the other a scene of a patrol and interaction with Iraqis on the street - tell the graphics people goesh said they don't know what the f*** they are doing

that was a bit rough but it just seems they are targeting a military audience only which is fine but it aint going to keep them big T-bone steaks on your grill for you

My boss said it was "too tactical" given the thrust of the book, which it is. Given that I'm actually writing about US strategy toward Iraq, this is probably the most apropos cover photo:



I'm assuming the "stockphoto" thing is on there because they weren't going to buy permission to use the photo until I approved and they have the manuscript.

[goesh]

nawwww, jazz it up a bit and people will think the author is creative and really put some thought and insight into the book and they'll believe the book isn't filled with military jargon , statistics and arcane, secret acronyms like BGDS and MMPASA (bad graphics dont sell most military personnel are ####ty artists), otherwise this book and 100 others that look just about like it in bookstores across the nation sit and sit and eventually get gnawed on by bookworms - even steve would admit the cover looks dusty we all know he is a sharp pencil in the bin but Mom and Pop America don't and they're going to think he is dull when they look at the cover of that book - if he wants more big T-bones on his grill, he will listen to me

OMG! Sedition!! what a picture -

[Stan]

My boss said it was "too tactical" given the thrust of the book, which it is. Given that I'm actually writing about US strategy toward Iraq, this is probably the most apropos cover photo:

If I saw that on a cover of a book titled American Strategy in Iraq....I'd buy it in a heartbeat

[marct]

If I saw that on a cover of a book titled American Strategy in Iraq....I'd buy it in a heartbeat

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[Stan]

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I hope the day comes that finally explain's Ken's secret code

[Steve Blair]

although you might want to broaden the topic to "American Political Thought" or something similar....

[Steve Blair]

I hope the day comes that finally explain's Ken's secret code

Simple.

You need 10 characters in the main body of a message to post. Ken (and some others) like to try to answer a point in the title field. This meets the requirement in the message field.

[marct]

Simple.

You need 10 characters in the main body of a message to post. Ken (and some others) like to try to answer a point in the title field. This meets the requirement in the message field.

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