Book Cover Junkie Interviews Fantasy Adventure Author Paolo Mazzucato

Paolo Mazzucato is an American fiction author and screenwriter. He began his writing career as a Chicago playwright and award-winning student filmmaker before moving to Los Angeles where he won awards for screenwriting and scripted various projects for film and television. He is also the author of several children’s books including: “No One Mocks a Panda” (an Amazon #1 Best Seller, Feb. 2019), and “The Absolutely True Story of La Befana” (an Amazon Holiday Top 100 title). He is also the author of the fantasy/adventure novel, “The Gondoliers: The Secret Journals of Fanticulous Glim,” a “recommended” read by the US Review of Books.

Mazzucato’s new book will be launched on Sunday, September 22nd at the Orange County 
Children’s Book Festival in Costa Mesa, California. 

Find out more about the author on his website:  www.writer.mazzucato.org and follow him on his social media (Facebook, X and Instagram).

 Interview:

 Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?

Inspiration for AJ and the Incredible Fish came from years of wanting to tell stories on a grand scale that encouraged readers, both young and old, to reach beyond the ordinary and search for whatever they dreamed would make their life extraordinary. Fantasy/Adventure (everything from Gulliver’s Travels and

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, to Lord of the Rings and…Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure) has always been where I turn not only for enjoyment, but also for perspective. There is wisdom within the quest to chase whatever dream of a fish you are willing to pursue, and there is meaning behind every character interaction and connection that can lead the way toward understanding, empathy and even the drive to embrace the unknown and succeed. AJ’s journey from doubt and uncertainty to wonder and belief, his new friendship with Livvy and connection with his Grandpa, is an invitation for each of us to chance the unknown and believe in incredible things again.

 How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?

I think I usually have a title when I start, because often the title helps set the tone of the story. If the story, however, takes me in a different and surprising direction, I might tweak the title in the process. On occasion, I have also completely changed the title of a piece because the completed book (or screenplay) needed something better than my original title to paint a picture in my mind. I’m pretty sure AJ and the Incredible Fish was my original title. I considered others, but nothing felt as genuine to AJ’s adventure and quest and also had that hint of subtext that readers would come to understand as they read on.

Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic     idea of what your book cover would be like?  

The collage of images from AJ’s adventure over an old world map of the seas was an image in my head even as I was still finishing the book. I had mocked up some art with character silhouettes over a compass and map early on, and when I met with an illustrator much later, I had very detailed ideas and compositions for the cover and each of the twenty-two chapter heading graphics and twenty-two chapter illustrations. I eventually forged ahead with the art, trying to recreate the cover and images from my mock-ups and from those in my head to best capture the fun and adventure of the story.

Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?

Initially, I had found an artist whose website art I liked after a chance meeting at a bank where he was employed. I made the initial investment, but after a year of back and forth, I had to start over.
Fortunately, I have some graphic design and illustration background, so I was able to create much of the art for the book myself, and that all worked for the publication.

 What has been the readers’ response to your cover?

The only response I’ve heard so far has been positive. About the art, Kirkus Reviews stated that it has “an oddness that befits a delightfully bizarre narrative.” I like that.

What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?

You can’t really skimp on cover design. It’s the one thing that will either sell your story to a reader or keep them scrolling to something more engaging. If you have some skill, you may be able to create something that tells your story (or at least a part of it) in one composition, but beware of an image that is just too generic. I like to help authors when I can through mazzmediaworks.

Anything else you'd like to say about your book?

Writers write because they want to share their stories. But we also need readers to help spread the word about the stories they like. Whether it’s by recommending books to friends or leaving a review (even just a sentence or two) on Amazon, they are the ones that lift a book to best-seller status and perhaps beyond. AJ and the Incredible Fish is both an wild adventure and also a personal story of connection for me. I hope that readers, both young and old, discover it, enjoy it and find in it something that speaks to them as well.

 

 

Q&A with James D. Bell, Author of 'Maximilian's Treasure'

James D. Bell is an award-winning author and retired Judge who received the highest bar association approval ratings ever given to a Mississippi Circuit or County Judge. He is listed in Preeminent Lawyers, Outstanding Lawyers of America and Top 100 Attorneys of North America.  He is the author of two novels, Vampire Defense and Maximilian’s Treasure.  His short story, The Adventures of Sherlock Hound, was published in Mardi Allen’s collection, Dog Stories for the Soul, alongside stories from Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Willie Morris and others.  The son of a Choctaw mother and a Mississippi businessman, Judge Bell is devoted to his wife, Joanne.  They live near Jackson, Mississippi and have four children.  Judge Bell returned to law practice but is frequently called back to the bench by the Mississippi Supreme Court for short term assignments. 

Interview:

Tell us about your book, Maximilian's Treasure! What is it about and what inspired you to write it?

A stately Choctaw elder told my friend and me that he believed Civil War gold was buried on his farm in Mississippi.  He believed that Maximilian, the Emperor of Mexico, sent gold to support the South’s war effort, and that none other than Jesse James, then a member of the Confederate Cavalry, was with the shipment.  The war ended when the gold was near his farm and was hidden there.  He asked us to help him look for the treasure.  This was too far-fetched to believe, but my friend and I said, “Why not?”  We travelled with him to his farm and had a great day listening to his stories while we searched with him.  You might think this unusual.  It’s not.  It’s just another day of law practice in Mississippi, where the unusual and outlandish is an everyday occurrence.

This was one of many stories from forty years of law practice that I am desperate to tell.  My best friend and I were young lawyers defending citizens charged with crimes in Mississippi.  We attracted a bit of attention because we kept winning cases.  Jack was a loyal friend, an intrepid investigator, and a great researcher.  Together we regularly accomplished what at first seemed impossible.  Jack died twenty years ago; too young; too soon.  I miss him.  I brought him back to life in my novels.

In Maximilian’s Treasure rumors of hidden gold inspire a battle for possession of a Choctaw family farm.  Two young lawyers, John Brooks and Jackson Bradley, agree to help the family keep their farm.  Early legal success prompts the drive-by murder of the patriarch of the family.  The grandson chases the suspects whose bodies are found on the farm, scalped.  At the same time, clues to a vast treasure are found on the farm.  Jackson, pursued by fortune seekers, adventurers, an exotic beauty and a homicidal maniac, follows the clues to a Caribbean reef and then to the Chiapas jungle.  John stays behind to defend the grandson and continue the fight for the farm.  His efforts are complicated by arson, murder, race riots, and the realization that he lost his one true love.  The adventures of John and Jackson rush toward an intertwined triple climax.

Tell us about your publishing process. What was it like? Did you go indie or the traditional way?

I went with a small publisher, which permits me to have a close working relationship with the publisher.  I took a course, How to Sell What You Write, at Millsaps College taught by a successful author and publisher, James Dickerson of Sartoris Literary Group.  I followed his formula and he offered to publish my first novel!  That novel, Vampire Defense, became Sartoris’ best-selling fiction and Sartoris was happy to publish my second novel, Maximilian’s Treasure.

How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?

I had a different working title at first, but it was soon obvious that Maximilian’s Treasure is the right title for this story.

Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like?

I started with an enlarged photograph of a gold Maximilian coin before I hired an artist who designed a beautiful, exciting cover that captures the essence of the book.

Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?

Eric Summers (eric@thatsummersguy.com) designed the cover and did a great job.  He was recommended by my publisher.

How was your experience working with the designer?

Great!  He read the book and picked a scene that captures the essence of this romantic adventure.  The characters Jackson and Natalia, an exotic beauty, are in an embrace near a waterfall.  Jackson is peering through a waterfall trying to discover what is concealed behind it.  Natalia in ceremonial garb, dagger in hand, is looking over his shoulder, confidently ready to confront an approaching threat. 

What has been the readers’ response to your cover?

Everyone says, “Wow!  I want that book!”

What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?

Readers will judge your book by the cover.  Be creative.  You want your cover to communicate relevant information about your story in a powerful way to the prospective reader.  Find a gifted artist like Eric who is willing spend the time necessary to understand the story.

Anything else you’d like to say about your book?

Maximilian’s Treasure is packed with hidden treasurers to be discovered.  So, if you love mystery, adventure, romance, justice, belly laughs and hidden treasures, it’s all waiting for you in Maximilian’s Treasure. You’ve got to read it!

Guest post: "Under the Covers" by Roxanne Bland

You know the old saying. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Well, people do it all the time—when it comes to books. How many times have you looked at a book in a bookstore or on the internet and put it down or passed it by because the cover art was terrible? Or uninspiring? It could have been a really great book, you know. How many times have you picked up a book with a fantastic cover only to discover it was a terrible read?

An experience of mine taught me this. A friend loaned me a book with a horrible cover. The book was called “Keeper of the King.” The cover featured a vampire holding a woman in a long flowing gown, blood on his lips and dripping down his chin. Quite lurid. I was dubious, but she just said “read it.” So I did. It was years and years ago, but that story has stuck with me. Why? Because it was a great story under that terrible cover. And oh—there were no kings, no women in long flowing gowns, and though there was a vampire, he definitely didn’t have blood on his lips and chin. In fact, he never bit anybody that I recall.

So how do book covers come to be?

In the larger publishing houses, the marketing department makes the decision on book design. The author has little or no say in the matter. And the rule is to be bold, be eye-catching and be different—but not too different! Which is why when you look at books, it seems you see nothing but sexy lingerie, napes of necks, the backs of women, the torsos of hot, hunky men, and so on. Except for some minor details, they all look the same.

That’s one of the beauties of being an independent author/publisher, or “indie” for short. You get to design your own book. There’s a catch, though. You should hire a professional book designer, unless you’re one yourself, to execute your vision. There are a number of programs that will generate a design for you, but then your book ends up looking like everybody else’s.

And one other thing—the cover should tell the potential reader something of the story. Obviously, for “Keeper of the King,” the marketing department never read the book.

In my case, The Moreva of Astoreth had two covers. The first was a depiction of Moreva Tehi, the heroine, in all her white-maned, purple-skinned glory, standing under a tree with vines and flowers. Doesn’t sound bad, right? That was my vision, right? Yes—except it didn’t work very well. The cover told nothing of the story. It was obviously about a woman, but so what? Lots of stories are about women, white-maned and purple-skinned or not. Needless to say, the feedback I received wasn’t too great.

I decided to change the cover. I went with a different designer this time, one who does 3-D modeling. Since Moreva Tehi is a scientist, we decided to depict her in her lab. She’s standing before her carrel, holding up a glowing disk. Laboratory equipment—beakers, flasks, etc.—crowd the surface. A skratz (think lab rat) is depicted in the bottom left hand corner. In the background are snow-capped mountains. Tells much more about her and her environment, don’t you think?

And the feedback has been much better. 

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Blurb

In the world-building tradition of Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey and Ursula K. LeGuin, The Moreva of Astoreth is a blend of science fiction, romance, and adventure in a unique, richly imagined imperialistic society in which gods and science are indelibly intertwined. It is the story of the priestess, scientist, and healer Moreva Tehi, the spoiled, headstrong granddaughter of a powerful deity who is banished for a year to a volatile far corner of the planet for neglecting to perform her sacred duty, only to venture into dangerous realms of banned experimentation, spiritual rebirth, and fervent, forbidden love.

Link to Follow Tour:  http://worldwindtours.com/index.php/2016/08/04/tour-sign-up-the-moreva-of-astoreth/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29614594-the-moreva-of-astoreth

Buy Links:      Amazon | B&N | Kobo 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Moreva-Astoreth-Roxanne-Bland-ebook/dp/B017JY331W/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-moreva-of-astoreth-roxanne-bland/1122928113?ean=9780996731607

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-moreva-of-astoreth-3

I've been a fugitive from reality since forever. As a child, I constantly made up stories--some would call them lies--about my family, friends, neighbors and even strangers on the street. I had friends that only I could see. Oh, the adventures we had! 

Learning to read was a revelation. Words fascinated me. Whole new worlds opened up, and since my parents forbade nothing, I read everything. Some of it I didn't quite understand, but I didn't mind. I read it anyway. I even read the dictionary. When I was a little older, I was big on mysteries--English cozy mysteries, that is, Agatha Christie, were my favorites. Then I graduated to horror. Whenever a new book came out by Stephen King, Peter Straub or Dean Koontz, I was first in line. I was reading a little science fiction at this time--Robert Heinlein and authors like him--but I really didn't get into it until I was in college. The same with fantasy. I really got into high fantasy--Lord of the Rings style--in college. 

During this time I was still making up stories, but not writing them down. They were private. Besides, I thought my family and friends would laugh at me. In fact, the only story I recall writing was one that won a contest when I was in elementary school.

So anyway, life goes on. I went to law school. After I graduated and entered the workforce, I finally started writing down my stories. I wrote a bit here and there, short stories that never saw the light of day (which was probably a good thing). Then I fell ill. I had the flu for a month. Bored out of my skull, I started writing a piece of fan fiction, though I didn't know that's what it was at the time. I showed it to a friend of mine who suggested I finish the story. 

Well, that piece of fan fiction fell by the wayside, but in its place came a manuscript that would eventually become my first book, The Underground. I absolutely adored writing it. I absolutely adore writing, period. Slipping into that alternate reality for hours on end, there was a time in my life when it was called daydreaming and I got into trouble for it. Now it's legitimate. And that's the best part of all.

Author Links:  Website | Twitter | Facebook 

Website:  http://blackrosepress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roxanne-Bland-Author-289392377750996/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoxanneBland2