Fiverr? more like a Fourr

Fiverr.com is a marketplace where various and sundry, and believe me, I mean various and sundry items, services and ideas are sold. As a buyer, you can find just about anything you want, or somethings you could never imagine, just for the low low price of, you guessed it, five bucks.

Recently, I read a book that recommended that even self published books need professional covers. One source suggested was fiverr. I figured that all I had to lose was five bucks, so why not give it a try?

I looked through the many profiles and advertisements offering a book cover design. I selected one and placed my order.

Immediately, I received a message:

"From you I need the title, subtitle(optional) and author name, seems obvious I know but you'd be amazed how many people forget ;)

In terms of cover design it helps if you can

1. Provide examples of styles of covers you're aiming for

2. Give me a rough idea of what you'd like on the cover

3. If you'd like to provide your own image that's fine too

Obviously this is all totally dependent on the type of book you're looking to publish :) "

No big worry, I took this message as a good sign, and that I was going to get some input on the design of my cover. I responded:

"I self published this book and want to experiment. I would love to see how much difference a professional book cover will make. I expect it will be measurable, although this is a niche book as it is.

I have attached the current front cover. I am open to your expertise on this cover. I don't have anything particular in mind, but I know that someone like you can do a much better job than I did.

The audience for this book is very conservative and religious. We don't use a cross as a symbol of worship, so please refrain from that. 

The book is a commentary on The Book of Mormon, a book that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revere as scripture.

If you would like more info as far as what may or may not be appropriate on the cover, just drop me a line. I'm excited to see what you come up with and hope this is the beginning of a good business partnership as I have other books planned in the future.

Thanks! "

I felt like my response, while not entirely direction oriented, was sufficient to give someone an idea that I was looking for a religious style cover and would like them not to use the cross on the cover.

For someone who apparently designs a lot of covers at $5 a pop, the response I received was bothersome.

"Sorry I've got no idea what you want for this cover

All the best"

Huh? That's odd. I gave you direction as you requested. I guess what you really mean is that you will put elements on a page exactly where i tell you, instead of designing a cover. 

Oh well, I'm going to work on finding another "designer" just to give it another go, maybe I'll get the same message.

Dear Dad,

It's been three years since you left. A lot has happened.

Before I start telling you about it, let me say, I love you, I miss you, I think about you every single day.

Shalee and I have two little girls now. Amaya is 15 months old. She has a smile that brightens even the darkest days. She is just learning how to be silly and it's pretty cute. She is very ticklish, I know you would like that. Her middle name is Gwen, after Mom obviously. She loves to sing, and has no fear to chase with her brothers.

Gracelyn will be one in December. She is such a happy little girl. She likes to make faces and tag along after her siblings. She is also our little cleaning crew, nothing on the floor stays there for very long. When she was born, she looked a lot like me and had several of your facial expressions. More and more each day, she looks like mom.

Hadley and Blake are doing great. Hadley started kindergarten this year and Blake goes to pre-school. They both love to learn. They are constantly making up games to play with one another. They would love to spend more time outside if I could ever get the yard finished. The boys have both grown a lot, but I think you would be amazed with how far Hadley has come. He knows so much.

I became a banker. Yeah, I know, you can't figure our why I would do that. Believe ir or not, I really love it. I work for a great company and along side some exceptional people. I hope to be half as good as you someday.

I'm worried about somethings too. My boys ask about you less and less all the time. Thankfully, Shalee put up a picture wall downstairs, so at least they can see you. I don't want them to forget about you. I wish my girls could have known you. I do everything I can to tell them about you, but I worry that it won't be enough. I do think that sometimes, you and Mom come visit and play with my kids while they sleep. I hope that is true. I want so much for them to know you.

I don't think I have totally gotten to the "ok" place after you and mom passed away. Not sure I will or that I am supposed to. Some days are easier than others, but every day, I miss you. I wish I could call and tell you about my successes, or ask about my challenges. There are still days when I feel you near enough that I am certain that you will come walking through my front door. Thank you for being close to me.

Life is good for us. We are happy. We have a beautiful home and more importantly, a beautiful family to fill it with.

I know that you know these things already, but I wanted to say them to you myself.

I miss you.

14 Months! A new record!

Ok, not supposed to be proud of the fact that i have not updated this blog in over a year. I'm not proud, but i'm not worried either. Those of you who care enough to know what my family is up to, already know.

Ummm, so the book is done. The picture above is the cover. Very pleased with the experience of finishing it. I learned a lot through the process. Thanks to my wife for her patience as i took the time to write it and for her input on cover design. Thanks to Mark for help on the cover design as well.

Life is busy. If you have four kids age six and under and aren't busy, I need to know what sedative you are giving your children. We are having a lot of fun recently. We bought a pass to Rigby Lake, we go about every other day, we all love it.

I moved from the Rexburg Branch of KeyBank to Idaho Falls. Now I work in commercial banking, I love it.

Going to be spending time putting in sprinklers and making the yard less hillbilly. I am excited for the end product. You can see my official Amazon.com page for more on the book if you want.

I'll try to write here more regularly, but as always, no promises.

For what it's worth

So tomorrow marks day 70 of my book of mormon blog. I really enjoy writing it. I feel like I learn more from the scriptures when I write about what I read.

Anyway, for those of you not interested in reading about my scripture blog every time you check my blog I do have other things happening in life.

In case you haven't heard, we are adopting again. We have been matched with a rockstar birthmom! A baby girl will be joining our family sometime near the end of June.

Work is still great and I still love it. Some days are crazy, some are not, but I still love my job. We had a big deal for a couple months where we put loans into the system like a marathon, that is over now, but still busy.

I love my wife and kids so much. I love to come home to them, I love to hang out with them. I'm glad I get to be with them forever.

Life is good, I hope yours is too.