Realization of a Dream

Have you ever felt like you needed something but weren't quite sure what it was. You go on with your day but it keeps working at you from the back of your brain. Gradually it works its way to the surface, then you go, "Aha! That's what it was I wanted".  That's how it was with me and the book cover for Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning). Dick Black (someone I know and love) and I tried to put something together on Adobe Illustrator.  The result was our first cover art.

Dick Black and Lynn

C.W. Johnson 

After a couple of months, some kind-hearted people pointed out the error of my ways. C.W. Johnson was kind enough to put something better together for us. That one remained the cover art for almost three years. 

The latter part of 2013, the niggling feeling that I'd been having final came forward. The cover art for the print book was not working for us, it was working against us.

Trade Soft cover

I started talking to David about this. I knew we didn't really have the money but the adage, 'it takes money to make money' came out of my mouth. I know David works really hard to support our business, he always has, so I didn't really push the idea full force. 

Around Christmas time, David gets a book that changed his life, I Declare... by Joel Osteen. One day, reading that book, he got a God Vision. In it, he was told that our book would get in to a prominent person's hands. About that same time, I saw a message from a moderator on Goodreads for an up and coming graphic artist.  I got some cost estimates from her and told David. He said go ahead and get the contract started. While we were waiting for our corporate lawyer to review the contracts, I see an opportunity for a book signing nearby. The catch was there were only two tables left. I inquired and sure enough there was a table left so I grabbed it. When I told David what I had done, he wasn't mad, he was actually happy, that's when he told me about his vision.

Meantime, we are still waiting on corporate lawyer, who was really busy. David's friend heard about our dilemma and offered a solution. He read the contract for us, then he asked what we envisioned for it. We told him. He knew a guy who was able to put our vision or as I call it our dream into reality. The result being our latest book cover by Grindhouse Media.

Latest by Grindhouse Media

As usual, there are technical glitches which we hope to have resolved soon but I thought I'd share our new cover art with you, today. Tomorrow, I'll share the other part of this dream.

Until then, have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks

Owner/Author

David McKoy

Owner/Author 

Breaking free

I'm coming out of my cocoon. I've been wrapped up inside my book cocoon working my way out by type -retype - think - rethink and run through it all over again.  I finally broke through late last night. Right now Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Wings Of Eagles) is being beta - tested. 

Many thanks to Jennifer Lockstedt and Justin Woods for all their hard work on our cover art.  David feels it is a great representation of what's inside the book. 

Cover Art 

Now that you've gotten a preview of the cover, I'll share the synopsis with you.

Short version

Will the warnings be heeded, so the fearless Eagles can triumph over Evil? Or will Evil win this round?

Longer version

Recognizing that evil knows no bounds, Eagle Protective Service Incorporated, an elite company, employs and trains members to protect or destroy. They do whatever is necessary to get the job done. Call Sign: Wrecking Crew is an integral part of this company. They put their unique talents to excellent use. When put to the test, will their best efforts be enough? Or will Pandemonium reign supreme?

With the first book, I lived alone and did the best with what I knew then. I've learned so much over the last couple years from fellow authors and many different blogs. 

But now that I live with a very active family, I  understand why so many authors go to a remote location when writing. When you have real life going on all around you it is hard to concrete and put forth your best effort. Even putting myself on a social media hiatus didn't stop daily living from interfering. 

I also understand why famous authors hire publicists to run their social media. If they didn't we might not ever see another book come from them. 

The next step of the book process is to take what the beta reader sends me and incorporate as much as possible. We want this book to be as high of quality as we can make it. As it is, I think I've vastly improved from the first book.  However, I'll let you be the judge of that when it comes available. 

For now I'll try to catch up on social media in between doing my daily chores. 

Have a great one,

Lynn Hallbrooks

co-author to David McKoy

co-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC