The original cover that I designed, and discoveries….

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~ Original cover design that I came up with ~

~ Back side of original cover designed by me ~

I’ve promised that I would share some of the early drafts of my cover mock-ups.  Here’s the first one I ever did.  I love the old style of the parchment with the leaf in the background, but I ultimately decided against using this one.  At least for now.  Who knows.  I’ve been known to change my mind a million times.  Since the book is still quite some time from going to press, I still have the luxury of changing my mind…perhaps a million times.  I kind of liked this image, but I felt that the resolution was not high enough.  As always, I do welcome your honest (and blunt) opinions!

You will notice that the canoe photograph is more subdued in this version.  This is how it was when I acquired it from the National Archives.  This version has not been digitally enhanced.  What do you think?  I have mixed feelings either way.  I like the overly saturated version that makes the sunset colors pop out, but I also like the subdued and muted version as well.  Ideas?  Opinions?

Life is a Journey… and it takes us many places and brings us into contact with many people.  Sometimes we meet people in the most unexpected ways and through the strangest of circumstances.  Never be afraid of reaching out to others.  I was for many years, and it really cost me in many ways.  So the next time you’re on your journey and you round that next bend in the river and see new faces, wave hello, stop on that sandbar, and get out and chat for awhile.  You won’t be sorry, and you may even make a new friend.  As I look back on the last couple of years of my life, I think of all those I’ve come in contact with who have faded in and out of my life.  Some are still here, and some have gone on to continue their own journeys.  But ultimately, my life is all the richer for having known them, and it was all because I took a chance and reached out.  Progress on the book continues.  I hope that everyone has a great weekend.  Godspeed.

~S

The Back of the Cover

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~ Current Mock-Up of Back Cover ~

I realized after my post the other evening, that I hadn’t shared the back cover of the book.  Although this cover is only a draft, I did 4 other mock-ups before I settled on this one.  I like this one the best of the four that I have done so far.  The covers have all been designed by me.  Although I do not by any means claim to be a professional, I have had some experience in graphic design in the past, and it’s really come in handy during this project.  I enjoy doing this type of work as a hobby.

Several of you have received copies of my post card and business card sized flyers that I have given out.  These were also designed by me, and printed in-house on a Ricoh printer.

Some of you have asked where I acquired the image that you see on the front of the book and on this website.  I came across this picture quite by accident, and fell in love with it.  I could just sit and stare at it for hours and daydream of where the man and his dog in the picture finally ended up on their journey.  The picture itself was obtained from the National Archives and Records Administration, and it was photographed in June of 1973 by Anne LaBastille as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s DOCUMERICA program.  The description of the photograph is as follows below:

CANOE ON THE NORTH BRANCH OF MOOSE RIVER AT SUNSET, BELOW RONDAXE LAKE IN THE ADIRONDACK FOREST PRESERVE

When I came across this picture, I knew that it was perfect for my book.  I increased the depth of the color just a tad bit, and digitally framed it, but it otherwise remains the same as the original photograph.  The photograph itself is in the public domain as part of the National Archives collection.

In the upcoming days, I will share other mock-up covers I did and get your opinions on those.  But for now, goodnight.

Website update, and “Journey to the Sea”

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When I first decided to create a website for my book, I knew that I wanted a website that would allow me to easily write posts documenting my progress.  The platform I’m using is totally new to me, and it’s infinitely customizable.  Since I’m a pretty low key person, I decided early on that I would take a minimalist approach to creating a website.  I will be tweaking my website and customizing a few features, but for the most part I am going to leave it as you currently see it.  I like this layout and color scheme.  Having said that, if you would like to make any suggestions for future improvements on this website, please feel free to comment in the box below.  It will send all feedback to me.

Some of you may know that I used to write songs / poems once upon a time.  I haven’t written anything in at least several years, but I was inspired to write a song / poem for the front of Tales of the Canoe.  This is how “Journey to the Sea” came to be written.  It’s a very sad piece, and it makes me quite sad to read it.  I’m not ready to make it public just yet, although my wife and a few people who are near and dear to me have read it and given me feedback on it.  I may post it on this blog eventually, so keep checking back.  I met with Ethan today, and he and I had a good discussion about ideas for the book.  He is writing my foreword, and will have a chapter of his own in the book.  Ethan is a very talented writer who underestimates himself.  He feels that since he’s had no formal training in writing, that his writing is not “good enough.”  But I beg to differ.  I’ve read his writing, and it has my seal of approval.

I may or may not write another verse for the conclusion of the book.  That remains to be seen.  But for now, I’m grateful for the way that “Journey to the Sea” turned out.

I will have more later, so keep on checking back.  As always, thank you for your interest in my book.

~S