I remember the first time I saw the VHS cover for Peter Brook's film version of The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates at the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade. It was fascinating to me how the title had to be altered in order… Continue reading The problem with long titles
As of now, the tagline is ITS ONLY MOTIVE IS BLOOD. Writing taglines is almost as hard as writing a blurb or a synopsis. I've gone through quite a few. The only suspect is already dead. Hot on the trail of a cold-blooded killer. The footprints lead to death. Rowan Manory has found himself in… Continue reading Latest Version
This is the current progress for the murder map. For the fonts, I'm thinking fairy-tale-ish but still readable. Some details will change and there'll be a border of some kind. That title might be an arc. We'll see. The front cover is still evolving as well. Matt wanted to move in closer. I agreed. The… Continue reading Back Cover Sketch (early stages still)
When you've read enough mysteries, the possible patterns of deception become increasingly obvious with each new novel. A good plotter will keep this under consideration. Sure, there will be readers who are venturing into the unknown for the first time. (the sort of newbie for whom a twin sister with a voice box, contact lenses,… Continue reading Heading the Reader off at the Pass: The Nine Wrong Answers
I know this blog has been nothing but crappy drawings lately, but it's crappy-drawing time in my process. My blog will reflect this. In the coming months, there will be gorgeous pictures, I promise. I have capable people who have agreed to make me look good. In the meantime, this is the back cover. While… Continue reading Preliminary sketch for the back cover.
James Scott Byrnside 