• About Daniel Ottalini
  • The Steam Empire Chronicles
    • Book 2 – Copper Centurion
    • Book 3 – Iron Tribune
    • Book 5 – Laurel Emperor
    • Book 1 – Brass Legionnaire
    • Book 4 – Steel Praetorian
    • Novellas
  • Educational Consulting
  • Poetry
  • Dungeons and Dragons
    • D&D Modules & Freebies
    • So You Want to Homebrew?
    • Tallavanor’s Tales
    • Saviors of Saltmarsh
  • Contact Me

Modern Papyrus

~ Daniel Ottalini's author blog and website

Modern Papyrus

Tag Archives: illustrations

Day 4 – Courtroom Problems

04 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

illustrations, Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo, NaNoWriMo2016, Steel Praetorian


Hi all, Day 4 is hammered down and ready to go.

So some exciting news today! I got the first glimpses of the two illustrations that will be included in Steel Praetorian, and boy do they look exciting. Very action packed and fitting in with the aesthetic of the earlier novels. I’ve included an illustration below so you can see the style of the artwork. Illustrations aren’t generally common for a novel, but I think they add some style and substance that give readers a glance into the author’s mind. Not to eliminate the imagination of the reader, but to guide their thoughts. Anywho, onto today’s numbers after the break.

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Halloween Update and NaNoWriMo 2016

31 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo2017, Self-Publishing, Steel Praetorian

≈ Comments Off on Halloween Update and NaNoWriMo 2016

Tags

halloween, illustrations, Laurel Emperor, steampunk, Steel Praetorian


Hi all,

As usual, I’ve completely disappeared for the first quarter of school here in the USA. However, here are some brief, and exciting, updates! Happy Halloween!

  • Cover art is nearly complete
  • Formatting is nearly complete
  • Both illustrations are in the works!
  • Outlining for NaNoWriMo 2016 continues!
  • Sale on Iron Tribune coming this November

Read more about what’s going on below the break!

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

First look at illustrations…

20 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Illustrations, Iron Tribune

≈ Comments Off on First look at illustrations…

Tags

artwork, illustrations, Iron Tribune, Kickstarter, news


Hi everyone,

The Kickstarter is now done and I can begin to present the first looks at the illustrations for Iron Tribune!IronTributeRoughSketches

 

As you can see, we’ve got some awesome ideas. You’ll just have to wait until you see more 🙂 As a reminder, if you haven’t already checked out my novellas – Antioch Burns and Roma Aeronautica, they’re great quick reads for less than $3 for both!

– Daniel

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Five Ways to Keep Your Self-Publishing Clients Happy & Coming Back for More

27 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Formatting, How to, Illustrations, Self-Publishing, Website

≈ Comments Off on Five Ways to Keep Your Self-Publishing Clients Happy & Coming Back for More

Tags

editing, how to, illustrations, self-publishing, writing, writing tips


By Daniel Ottalini

You want to have all your bases and operations covered!

You want to have all your bases and operations covered!

Hi all, this is a companion piece to my earlier article on how to make sure that your freelancers/self-publishing helpers do their best for you. But what about the flip side? What can you, as a freelance/small business editor, cover artist, etc., do to make sure that you give your customers what they want, keep them coming back, but also make money and keep your dignity in the process? Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Illustration Rough Drafts

14 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Illustrations, Self-Publishing, Teasers/Trailers

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

authors, Books, ebooks, illustrations, Novels, self-publishing, steampunk


Good Evening all!
Just got word from the illustrator that all the illustrations have been conceptualized and they are now hard at work putting the recommendations I asked for in place. I figured I’d share the rough drafts since you’ll have to buy the book to see the final ones 🙂

Concept Sketch of the descent from the airship - Mid-Novel

I’m really liking where these illustrations are going. My illustrators suggested a random edge effect on the final draft (which I’ve seen, and think you’ll like) that breaks up the ‘too neat’ border of the picture. Here’s the end of scene book.

Last Battle Scene View

Hope you enjoyed those! Just as a reminder, be sure to follow me here, on twitter or facebook to get the most recent updates and fun previews!

Speaking of that, here’s a sneak peek inside the world of Brass Legionnaire.

It was often said that even the fog feared to tread in the depths of Sludge Bottom. Only the brave, the foolhardy, the desperate, or the conniving dared to venture into that economically stagnant and most run-down sector of Brittenburg, where seedy gambling halls, dank, smoke-filled bars, and automaton-fighting pits in abandoned warehouses were the chief attractions. The operators of these businesses, always tight-fisted and tight-lipped, had tightened their vigilance as well, with the auxilia more active recently. Anyone who seemed a bit out of place or a tad too eager to learn more about their companions at the gambling table was “taken care of,” right along with anyone who happened to develop an exceptionally strong winning streak at the dice tables or during a rigged card game.

Here, Domino Grex ran the notorious Atrium, five stories of every kind of disreputable entertainment imaginable. The building stank of desperation and ill-gotten gains. The fact that it was neither as well-lit nor as well-ventilated as its name implied appealed to the con artists, runaway peasants, prostitutes, loan sharks, and the city’s assorted riff-raff who frequented the establishment. And no one crossed Grex. The survival rate for those who did was zero. Even the auxilia dared not raid the place. Domino Grex had so many illicit connections that his complex was untouchable; any officer who tried to impose the law soon found himself transferred to the city’s Sanitary Division.

Though the private rooms on the fifth floor could provide for any vice or perversion, they seemed to exude the evil, hatred, anger, and violence they’d witnessed over the years. No member of Grex’s staff was assigned up there for any length of time. Too many seemed to disappear, go mad, or simply see things that . . . shouldn’t . . . be there.

One of the largest of these rooms had been booked for the evening. Two muscular street toughs stood on either side of a dented copper door, the verdigris of age belying its well-oiled mechanisms. The men leaned on heavy clubs, and short swords and daggers were sheathed at their belts. The toughs stepped together in front of the door as three cloaked figures approached, blocking their passage.

The cloaked figures each withdrew necklaces from within their cowls to display small medallions with intricately geared moving components. Newly alert eyes lighting up their dull expressions, the thugs nodded to one another and moved aside to let the strangers pass. The leader inserted his medallion into an opening in the wall as if it were a key; after an audible hum, the door hissed open, sliding slowly into the wall. The figures passed between the two toughs, who ignored them—their job was to guard the door; what happened inside was not their business.

With another hiss, the door squealed shut behind the last cloaked figure to enter, and the gaslights blazed in their wall sconces, casting a yellowish haze throughout the room. Two of the figures moved to the last remaining high-backed chairs surrounding a massive brass table, designed in the shape of a gear, in the center of the room. The third figure stood between and slightly behind the two chairs, keeping his face in shadow. Anticipation weighted the air, seeming to make movement a challenge…

More to come later! Ciao!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Countdown to Publishing + Promotion Plan

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Advertising, Illustrations, Self-Publishing, Teasers/Trailers

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

blogs, Books, Brass Legionnaire, goodreads, illustrations, indie, indie books, new authors, Novels, posters, preview, promoting, promotion, promotional, self-publishing, sneak peak, steampunk, Young Adult


Just to get you in the mood:

A clattering sound drew Julius’s attention back to the tower in time to see the tribune hastening down the metal ladder. He waited for Constantine to join them before asking nonchalantly, “So, Tribune, sir, how did reason fare over violence and anger?”

The tribune grimaced. “We’ll just have to reinforce the lesson with a bit of old-fashioned corporal punishment.” A thousand-throat scream of fury and belligerence interrupted him.

He ran back to grab the discarded speaking trumpet. This time he addressed the defenders. “Ready, boys—remember your training! Keep your thrusts short and cover your brothers. Repeaters, I want as much fire as you can place on those rebels. Aim for the leaders if you can!”

The guttural screams rose in pitch. “Here they come!”

The rush to publish is on! Here’s a quick update of the comings and goings during the last few days.

1.) The edited files are being read through as we speak (3/4 of the way through now, making notes to return it to the editor!)

2.) Illustrations are in progress (Saw the first one – looks awesome!) The readers will definitely be in for a treat!

Rough Draft Idea for the Promo Poster!

3.) Super top secret awesomeness for the Kickstart Supporters (and later the newsletter sign-uppers) is completely finished! I’ll post the very first draft of it on here to give you a baby clue as to what it may look like.

4.) Finished the book series website, but holding off on publishing it until the book is almost ready.

5.) Upgraded my wordpress to change Modern Papyrus to danielottalini.com – This is now more my blog and author site, rather than the review and thoughts blog it was originally!
Wow, so much done, and yet still so much to do! It’s early April now, and my goal was to have the book published by June, so now that is a very reasonable goal (in my mind at least). Still have an array of things to do before then though. I’ve taken some time to sit down and set up a plan to promote my book.

Promotion Plan:

1. Talk to friends, family, etc. (Short and sweet – they’ll probably get sick of me)

2. Build an online presence on Goodreads (Add me as a friend!) Twitter,  Facebook (Coming soon!), and my blog. This is in progress now! For example, the folks over at Indie Book Collective had some great promotional things going down. I’d want to join in on that!

3. Set up and finalize book-website with cross-linking between it and here.

4. Set up a newsletter service through Mail Chimp or Adweber.

5. Get bookmarks, stamps, and business cards through Zazzle so that I can do low-level promoting (leaving bookmarks in books at library, business cards when paying tabs at restaurants, shamelessly self promoting myself in all areas 🙂

6. Set up giveaways on Goodreads and send books to be reviewed by several self-publishing blogs/steampunk blogs. One I’ll definitely be contacting is IndieBookSpot for their author interviews and reviews.

I’m sure I’ll think of more in the meantime, but that’s it for right now. Anything else I missed that should be included!?

Ciao!

– Daniel

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Illustration Conundrum

04 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Advertising, Alternate History, Illustrations, Questions, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Self-Publishing, Young Adult

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

arts, harry potter, illustration, illustrations, money, new authors, Novel, page illustrations, Reading, roman, Scott Westerfeld, steampunk, writing


To Illustrate or not to Illustrate, that is the (expensive) question!

To begin, I’ve always loved chapter books with illustrations. They breathe life and culture and feeling into a story. Sometimes, I wish to high heavens that Harry Potter books had come with full page illustrations every couple of pages. Not every page mind you, even just one per chapter would have been awesome. Obviously, the style of your book has to lend itself to illustrations. Personally, I think all books could use them in one form or another.

But Wait! You cry. “I have my own created image of what this world looks like, why should someone else make it for me?”

Someone else already has, if the book you are reading has cover art. From the moment you open a book, your mind is building the world that you are reading. The cover (to me) is like the section in a library – Does it have dragons on the cover? Trigger the fantasy imagination component of your mind. Man waving a french flag with a musket? Activate the Three Musketeers and Napoleon memory centers! Illustrations in a book are a way of guiding the reader’s imagination, like mileposts or markers on an old trail. The trail is laid out for you, but you are making the journey. The markers guide you, even shape some of the world for you. But illustrations are expensive, and only the most well paid authors or those with a great amount of extra money to use, those who have won the family/friend lottery (Hey, wanna illustrate my book? I’ll pay you in pizza!) can truly fill a novel book with illustrations. Even Scott Westerfeld of steampunk fame doesn’t have illustrations on every page.

 

So what is a new/upcoming author to do if they want illustrations. There are a few options.

1.) Sell your firstborn (Just kidding!)

2.) Compromise – Have only a few illustrations that are super critical.

3.) Never have any illustrations and pour that extra money into cover art or extra promotional things.

Of these, option two is the best, and really the only option, that makes the best sense if you have the money for illustrations. As a visual person myself, I love having maps in my book. If your story is going somewhere, have a map! They make great interior covers, and can break up a story neatly into chunks if that is what you need. In my book, I have plans for two maps – one of the entire continent of Europe, and the other of my semi-fictional city of Brittenburg.

My plan for Brass Legionnaire is to have two illustrations that are critical to the story and really tie into the theme and idea of my world. Not only can I have them in the book, but I can get enlarged ones as posters and other things to use as freebies and contest prizes. Theoretically I could sell them eventually too, but I like the idea of having control of a limited number of them in really nice form. Those in the book would be black and white, while the promo ones would be full color.

I suppose I could lay down a pretty penny for one illustration per chapter, but maybe I’ll save that for the omnibus (in the far, far future!) Of course, if you want to make it happen, check out my Kickstarter project and donate. I don’t have much time left on it, and I’m sort of sad that it won’t likely happen, but I’m excited to still have the chance to share the book with you guys regardless!

Ciao!

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is much faster than snail mail.

Join 968 other followers

Check me out on Facebook

Check me out on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

  • School internet is really on the struggle bus this morning 5 days ago
  • The Kohtumine Gathers: New D&D Ships & Stats Oh My! danielottalini.com/2021/04/10/the… 1 week ago
  • Yes I would like a drink today. #clearskiesmeadery #mead https://t.co/Cjkh9T4N8l 1 week ago
  • Found the perfect mini for our dwarves fighter and I can’t help but giggle at the finger. https://t.co/0NrsiFhO9Q 1 week ago
  • RT @TheAmandaGorman: EDUCATORS: check out this amazing teaching guide for The Hill We Climb, written by the awesome @DisruptTexts ! 1 week ago
Follow @dottalini

Goodreads

Awesome Places

  • Amazon Profile

Blogroll

  • Steam Empire Chronicles Series Website

See what you’ve missed…

Recent Posts

  • The Kohtumine Gathers: New D&D Ships & Stats Oh My! April 10, 2021
  • Kohtumine Focus: The Factions March 31, 2021
  • Tallavanor’s Tales: The Return March 29, 2021
  • Final Kohtumine Focus: Tradespont March 26, 2021
  • Kohtumine Focus: The Silk Cluster March 24, 2021

Blog Stats

  • 53,590 Visitors so far!

Top Posts

  • 50 Ways to Kill a Character
  • D&D Modules & Freebies
  • How To Run a D&D Adventure A Second Time in three easy steps!
  • New D&D Resource - Maps of Brokenbank in Wildemount
  • Book 2 - Copper Centurion
  • 50 Ways to Kill a Character Part II
  • About Daniel Ottalini
  • New Module: D&D 5th Edition Siege Rules & the Invasion of the Phandelver Valley!
  • Dungeons and Dragons
  • So You Want to Homebrew?

Papyrians Only

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

A Brief History of New Caesaria Accountability airships alternate history Amazon Antioch Burns Author author help authors blogging blog tour Book Review book reviews Books Brass Legionnaire characters Copper Centurion Cover Art D&D Dungeon Master Tools Dungeons and Dragons ebooks Fantasy Fiction Giveaway historical fiction history how to illustrations Iron Tribune Kickstarter Kohtumine Laurel Emperor Maps NaNoWriMo NaNoWriMo2015 NaNoWriMo2016 NaNoWriMo2017 new authors Novel Novella novellas Novels poems poetry project 27 publishing Reading reviews roman roman empire Romanpunk rome Sale self-published self-publishing Self publishing short stories Smashwords Steam Empire Chronicles SteamLit steampunk Steel Praetorian Tallavanor's Tales teaching technology The Last Gladiator The Steam Empire Chronicles thoughts writers Writers Resources writing writing tips Year of Accountability Young Adult

Blog at WordPress.com.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    <span>%d</span> bloggers like this: