Promotion - Author Jim Laughter's TV interview

posted by Vivian Zabel  

         Jim Laughter appeared on Channel 8 in Tulsa, Oklahoma Thursday morning, December 1. Below is the interview.

          He did a very good job, and the books discussed include Strangers in the Stable from 4RV and another of his books recently released from another source. However, Jim had a problem with Aidana WillowRaven's name, which gives me the opportunity to help everyone understand how to pronounce her name: Uh donna and WillowRaven all one word. Hope that helps.

          Now, let's watch Jim's interview (which comes after the advertisement):

4RV Publishing website
4RV Bookstore - sale still in effect. Orders made after December 5 aren't guaranteed for delivery before Christmas.

Promotion: Eastern Oklahoma Author Fest 2011

by Vivian Zabel 

         October 8, 2011 found 4RV Publishing and three members with 43 titles at the Eastern Oklahoma Author Fest in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

        Due to the massive weight and hard work involved (as well as limited display area and racks), only 43 of the 60+ released books were able to make the trip.

         As people entered the Cherokee Community Building, the sign to the left is the first thing they saw. The display tables formed an L, one table to the right of the sign, one to the left, and one running at a right angle down the left side. Photos show the display racks and display areas.

        Vivian Zabel held a workshop on "Make Your Writing Snap" to help attendees have a better idea of what manuscripts need to be appealing to editors, agents, and/or publishers.  At least some people attended, even though the workshop was early in the day, soon after the doors opened to the public.

      Jacque Graham had the workshop immediately after, "How to Write Your Family Story." Again, some attended even though early in the day.

          Jim Laughter's first children's book, and first book with 4RV, made its debut at the festival. Strangers in the Stable also sold more copies than any other book available. 

          The attendance was lighter this year than at this same festival in 2010, but 4RV did much better than most of the participants.

Table running down left side

Front tables with Jacque in background

          These photos give an idea of how the 4RV Publishing tables and displays greeted the public as they toured the festival. 

          Even though many other activities competed for people Saturday, some found their way to the Eastern Oklahoma Author Festival.

4RV Bookstore 
    Note: Christmas sale (over 10% discount on all prices, which includes shipping, handling, & taxes)
               Sale ends Dec. 5
4RV Website

When research dictates a re-vamp ...

by Aidana WillowRaven

Sometimes it just can't be avoided.

I try to create a book's cover before starting on a book's illustrations, which gives the author and publisher something to use when building hype for a book's pending release, while I work on the illustrations and layout. But once in a rare while, a cover art and design re-vamp is needed.

One such instance is my latest children's book, Strangers in the Stable by Jim Laughter. It's a sweet little early reader that was extra fun because I got to explore the whole visual interpretation in digital paint vs traditional mediums. I did the cover first, as I usually do, and both the author and publisher loved it (always a good thing ... lol). One problem I learned while doing research for the following illos, I had the architecture all wrong (not such a good thing).

As is often the case, the story itself has a little more room for 'creative license' than the visuals do. The original title said 'Barn,' so I made the setting a barn, as most westerners think of it. Upon further research, I found that not only does ancient Bethlehem not use wood buildings to house their livestock, they also don't refer to such structures as barns. They used, and still use for the most part, stone structures and tents. Not wood and lumber barns ... lol.

Now, many publishers and artists would have just let this pass. As they say, time is money. After all, how many six-year-olds would notice? But 4RV has a high standard, and so do I. My own sense of aesthetic and accuracy just wouldn't let me let it go. So I talked to Vivian, and she agreed, and in a matter of minutes a decision for accuracy over convenience and time was finalized. Re-vamp it was.

And, as with most re-vamps, as much as I grudgingly hate them, I think they always turn out for the better. I assume it's much the same way with authors (dreading edits, but happier with the final result, none the less).

Here is the re-vamped cover. You tell me which one pulls your mental awareness into ancient Bethlehem better? Which one puts you more mentally 'there,' at Jesus' birth? See the difference just the architecture makes when it come to the mood of an illo?

Next question, would you be as willing to go through a re-vamp? Or would you have thought: 'The publisher and author approved it. I don't have time or money for a unnecessary re-vamp. I won't bring it up.'

As artists, especially illustrators, we need to remember even if the illustration 'looks' right, it could still be 'wrong,' and its our responsibility, if we discover an error such as this, to bring it up with the publisher or author. You never know, it may take the book from good to better.

Besides, how often have you criticized the cover artist on their choice of visuals if you know something portrayed way inaccurately? Heck, that's why I took art in college (my pet peeve is proportion, ie: legs too small for the rest of the body, scale wrong, etc).

Try to remember, each piece should be worthy of being 'a portfolio piece.' And misrepresented images are not good portfolio pieces. So when a re-vamp is needed, don't resist. Pull up those sleeves, dig out your tools, and get to work happily, knowing you're about to create visual genius...lol.

Aidana WillowRaven

Art Director & VP of Operation

4RV Publishing