In Keith’s words. “Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here. Thank you for taking part.
Link to Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/01/29/kreative-kue-417/
The photo.
The Cover by John W. Howell © 2023
“Yeah, hello.”
“Is this Cover Mania?”
“Yeah, who’s calling?”
“Jason Killing, best-selling author.”
“Who?”
“You guys did a cover for my last thriller.”
“So I can find your file. What’s your phone number?”
512-555-5555.”
“Uh huh, and the last four of your socials?”
“6666.”
“Address?”
“12 Bird Dropping Lane.”
“That’s Waco, right?”
“Right.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I received your draft cover for my next book.”
“Okay.”
“It is beautiful, but I’m not sure you hit the mark.”
“What’s the problem.”
“The story is about a CIA agent who goes rogue.”
“And?”
“I don’t see how a cowboy on a horse in the desert with a lovely sunset fits the story.”
“Let’s think a moment. Where is your story located?”
“Las Vegas.”
“Okay, that’s out West in the desert.”
“But most of the action takes place in the city.”
“Doesn’t your character need to rest?”
“Um, I hadn’t thought about that.”
“How about a nice relaxing ride at sunset.”
“I suppose that could be worked in. But I think we need more action.”
“Life is so complex. Don’t you think people will look forward to a peaceful scene?
“But that’s not what the book is about.”
“Maybe a rewrite is in order.”
“I’ll have to think about that.”
“Don’t wait too long. I have a Sci-Fi author who needs a cover.”
Fiction Favorites 
Nice one, John. Thanks. I can see the problem – he doesn’t look too much like a rogue agent, does he?
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The cactus might be a problem too.
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You make a good point, John 😎
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Don’t care what anyone says. I’m still sharp.
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I have never doubted that, John. Whether I can make the same claim for myself, however, is very much up for debate.
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I can vouch for you. Of course there may be a kettle and pot situation there.
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🤫
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😊
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Well done, John! Art is always interpretation, and when it doesn’t fit fully you have to convince them it does. 😉 xx Michael
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Very true, Michael. Thank you. 😁
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Good point, Michael! It’s like the latest and greatest technology as a solution in search of a problem.
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Well said, Liz.
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Thanks, John.
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You are welcome, Liz
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Throw in a flying saucer and it’s perfect for a romance story, John 😂🤣😂
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Ha ha ha. Love that, Chris.
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😂
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😊
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Good one, Chris!
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🤗
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It was a good one for sure.
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Makes sense once you explain it.
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It does? That’s a relief. 😁
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You made us laugh, dear John.
Have a happy week
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Always a good thing. Thanks for letting me know F4oC. 😊
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Hahaha! What does the author know about how his cover should look, anyway?
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That’s right.Just approve the art and shut up. 😂
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Hahaha! 🤣
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😊
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😁
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Loved it.
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Thanks, Charles. 😁
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A few lessons from you might help the guy. Your covers are right on!
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Aw. Thank you, Gwen,
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Nice take, John. And not far from the truth. A local author got a cover with a garden on it. No garden in the story – her editor told her to write a garden into it.
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Ha ha ha. That takes the cake.
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Oh, boy, can I relate! Working with an artist can be challenging, especially if you’re the writer. Sometimes I fear we just don’t speak the same language. Well done, John!
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I agree, Debbie. Two ships passing in the night.
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That sounds familiar, John. I’ve been working with Penguin Book Writers, and went through quite a lot of back and forth discussion about their idea for a book cover for Valley Walker. It took a lot of time, but I think we’re about where we were going.
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You know the agony.
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It’s a beautiful cover. Picking one or designing one must be so hard!
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Yes it is. Thanks, Deborah.
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Great job, despite the editor. Hope your books haven’t had to deal with THAT guy.
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No, thank heavens. 😂
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Time to find a new designer…lol
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I think so too.
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haha, this one is a doozy, John! I could just picture a publisher suggesting all this.
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It would be possible I think. Thanks, GP
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Good one, John! Makes you wonder what the cover would look like if the MC was a cowboy who rode through the deserts at night! 😆 🤔
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Probably have Godzilla eating Tokyo.
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LOL! And I just caught the end of an old Godzilla movie 😆
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😁
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He’s undercover….of darkness …just being helpful hugsx
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Ha ha ha. Thanks for the help, Sally.
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Anytime John…hugsx
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😁
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False advertising, It’s a real-world problem 🙂
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Yes indeed.
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Part of the process?
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Yes indeed.
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He’s keeping a low profile as an undercover CIA agent.
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So the cover guy would like the author to believe.
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Your ability to take a simple prompt or even just a drawing and turn it into a story amazes me! That’s why you’re a published author and I’m a lowly blogger 😉
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Nothing lowly about a blogger. Heck I’m one too.
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😊
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😊
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Hmmm, so the cover decides the plot and not the other way around? I wonder if this will catch on . . .
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I think this paticular cover maker is just lazy. I hope it doesn’t catch on. Thanks, Marc.
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Truth.
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Nice one John.. Now I see why they say.. ” Never Judge a Book by its cover” 😉 xx
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Good saying for sure. Thanks, Sue
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🙂 🙂 xx
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😊
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Not the story/dialogue you would expect when seeing this image.
Fantastic!
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Glad you liked it, Rabirius.
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Oh my! I am laughing out loud at this. Yes, definitely, rewrite the story to fit the cover. 🙂 Ha! Ha!
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Can you imagine?
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Good on the prompt!
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😁
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[…] The Cover by John W. Howell © 2024 […]
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