Congratulations Snowflake. Keep with it and I'm sure in the end you'll be happy you did.

Sounds like your agent believes in you. And we do, too, so keep at it!

Progress update
 

Well, this week has been a roller-coaster for me. But, not all was icky, I got the final newsletter out (and that was a monkey on my back the size of king kong). And, as I have been researching and reading, the lightbulb went off over my head, I do not need to re-invent the wheel, here. I discussed this with my agent and I also have a secondary meeting with an author she published about options.

That said, after a long hard look at what is really needed here, the first thing is not getting out my chisel and re-invent the wheel. There are 2 other biographical works on Valentino currently being pitched (one has a contract and will be out in 2009, the second is and has been in pitch hell for the last several years, dammit, I want to read that one, too). Again no need for me to reinvent the wheel.

Soooooooo, I am going to self publish this behemoth with photos and essays for each chapter. Let's face it, everyone I've spoken to, and all the people writing to my website, all they want is the photos. This I can do and do easily and basically, this is what I wanted in the first place.

I had checked with Xlibris last year and thought, okat $2500 investment, I can do this and get a decent book out. Well, I just went to check and that is now a $6000 deal. Not to mention that even if I went with them, the price for the book retail would be almost $100, I'd never sell any! I have no expectations of making any money off this, but going deeper into hock than I already am is not an option, so scotch that one.

Mousepod turned me onto blurb.com as an option. (Thanks Jesse!) It's not ideal in that I can't market the book through amazon.com, but I have 100% control over what goes in it, including layout (they have very cool software to work with) and minimal upfront for me to come up with, in fact, nothing for them, just me to file my own copyright (duh, that I can do) and purchase a couple of ISBN numbers (1 HB and 1 PB). The price point for the book options is fairly reasonable and I can get this out in a nice looking edition for something that won't break anyone's bank account.

So, this is where we are on it. With some dillegent effort on my part, and no more major drama for a few months, I can get this in the can for proofing in a few months time.

Oh, and the Academy sent me a nice letter, but I don't have the creds for the grant.

Progress - yay!

Vote Early and Vote Often!
 

I'm in the process of designing the Valentino book. The cover art, that is. I'm shooting for simple and something that "pops."

I've put up a page for people to make a selection (or to tell me that they all suck). The photos shown are in no way the only choices available. I'm merely trying to narrow down what is appealing to the people with an interest in Valentino. Portrait or in a film role? Sexy, smoldering or vulnerable?

So, please pay a visit and cast your vote (my choice is obvious, it's too great of a photo not to be included, even though it is in Emily Leider's excellent book)

Some possible cover choices are Here

Thanks!

I like the one you chose for the mock-up. The pose and shading looks great, and it's not one I recall seeing before. Even though he's in costume, he looks more natural than most of the other shots.

I love the one you chose. My second choice is the smoking pic. Although, it probably wouldn't be a good choice for a variety of reasons. But, it is muy sexy.

I too agree with your choice. I also like #10 as it has an air of mystery to it.

#7 would have been more interesting if he were in more casual attire.

One thing I did notice is that in most all of these pictures that he is looking down (as in direction, not mood). This better captures him and he seems to know it.

I think #13's the best, but NA's right the smoking aspect may be a marketing distraction.

Yeah, #13 as well - but maybe the smoking has just the right amount of "naughty" appeal to get attention?