Artwork

I noticed a few days ago that the Incident E-arc at Universe possessed something that looked suspiciously like artwork. It doesn't blow up well--I tried--but it's sized perfectly for use as an icon.

And once again, Jani-of-the-baggy-coveralls is poured into second skin Spandex. And the weapon's too big. But her hair is short, which is a nice change of pace**. And Annalise (the young girl/other main character) looks pretty much as she ought, from what I can tell.

Artwork, be it covers or other first page stuff, is designed to attract readers. I know this. The Jani covers, which some folks have really liked and others have labeled "Baen surplus", imply certain story elements--adventure, violence, crime, explosions, some sort of military/espionage/whatever. Not quiet. Not a cozy. I'm not sure if the Spandex-clad limbs imply sex. Female characters in space opera have worn revealing clothing for as long as I've read the books and watched the movies/programs. I tend to think it's more anatomy as scenery as this point than 'come and get your love'. As an aside, that's one reason why I enjoyed Alien and Aliens so much. Ripley and the other women dressed appropriately for messy, physical jobs. No makeup. Functional haircuts. Not that miniskirts and knee-high boots don't have their place, but I'd hate to have to shimmy up a ladder in them.

But I digress.

I'm not sure if anyone would buy a Jani book if it bore what I would consider a true representation of Jani Kilian. A Claudia Black look-a-like with short, black hair, brown-gold skin, and green-on-green eyes, wearing a functional trouser suit or baggy coverall, holding a sidearm that would actually fit into a holster, and staring out at the reader. Glaring, maybe. Or just waiting to see what their intentions were. The image might make me feel better, but whilw it would imply much on a character level, I'm not sure it would telegraph all the information to the prospective reader that they would need to see in order to determine whether it was a book they wanted to read.


**although the possibility exists that the cover for J5 may feature Jani-with-short-hair.

Artwork

I noticed a few days ago that the Incident E-arc at Universe possessed something that looked suspiciously like artwork. It doesn't blow up well--I tried--but it's sized perfectly for use as an icon.

And once again, Jani-of-the-baggy-coveralls is poured into second skin Spandex. And the weapon's too big. But her hair is short, which is a nice change of pace**. And Annalise (the young girl/other main character) looks pretty much as she ought, from what I can tell.

Artwork, be it covers or other first page stuff, is designed to attract readers. I know this. The Jani covers, which some folks have really liked and others have labeled "Baen surplus", imply certain story elements--adventure, violence, crime, explosions, some sort of military/espionage/whatever. Not quiet. Not a cozy. I'm not sure if the Spandex-clad limbs imply sex. Female characters in space opera have worn revealing clothing for as long as I've read the books and watched the movies/programs. I tend to think it's more anatomy as scenery as this point than 'come and get your love'. As an aside, that's one reason why I enjoyed Alien and Aliens so much. Ripley and the other women dressed appropriately for messy, physical jobs. No makeup. Functional haircuts. Not that miniskirts and knee-high boots don't have their place, but I'd hate to have to shimmy up a ladder in them.

But I digress.

I'm not sure if anyone would buy a Jani book if it bore what I would consider a true representation of Jani Kilian. A Claudia Black look-a-like with short, black hair, brown-gold skin, and green-on-green eyes, wearing a functional trouser suit or baggy coverall, holding a sidearm that would actually fit into a holster, and staring out at the reader. Glaring, maybe. Or just waiting to see what their intentions were. The image might make me feel better, but whilw it would imply much on a character level, I'm not sure it would telegraph all the information to the prospective reader that they would need to see in order to determine whether it was a book they wanted to read.


**although the possibility exists that the cover for J5 may feature Jani-with-short-hair.

It's the day after Thanksgiving

...and I was able to work outside without a jacket. Long-sleeved sweatshirt and heavy cotton work pants were warm enough.

The backdoor is now open, screen door in place to keep out varmints. Last year at this time, temps were in the teens.

Bought balsam wreaths for the garage and gate. This is the first time I hung a wreath from the garage, and it looks nice. I'm still considering getting 12" wreaths for the vehicle grills. I know it's yuppie as hell, but I always thought it a nice look.

The cranberry-pear relish tastes even better the second day.

It's the day after Thanksgiving

...and I was able to work outside without a jacket. Long-sleeved sweatshirt and heavy cotton work pants were warm enough.

The backdoor is now open, screen door in place to keep out varmints. Last year at this time, temps were in the teens.

Bought balsam wreaths for the garage and gate. This is the first time I hung a wreath from the garage, and it looks nice. I'm still considering getting 12" wreaths for the vehicle grills. I know it's yuppie as hell, but I always thought it a nice look.

The cranberry-pear relish tastes even better the second day.