A Cooperative Press for Indie Authors discussion

I think the first is too complicated. I like the last, but I'm not convinced it's recognizable enough. I would like to ask if you might make a logo with the lyre alone and the bow/arrow alone. (I think one of those might stand up a little better.)

Iffix wrote: "I think the first is too complicated. I like the last, but I'm not convinced it's recognizable enough. I would like to ask if you might make a logo with the lyre alone and the bow/arrow alone. (I t..."

Can do.

A.

Three more offerings:

Okay, now I'm having trouble picking. I'm going to say it's between the bottom two, but I'm not going to specify. I'll let the group share their own opinions. But the last two have one vote a piece.

I like the one with the lyre - although I'm not 100% convinced by the typeface. (It'll probably grow on me.)

Is it an utterly stupid suggestion to ask what it would look like with the arrow strung on the lyre, instead of on the bow?

That's intriguing, J.
(I'm not personally settled on Typeface either, but like you said, it may grow on me.)

Are any of these better?
http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=2...

I'm sorry but how are logos even remotely important when some of us still haven't quite gotten how this all works?

A very good question, Justin. Logos aren't pressing, but they do help us to visualize what the long haul looks like. There are certainly more important places to look, though it doesn't hurt to allow A. to use his expertise for our benefit.

Justin wrote: "I'm sorry but how are logos even remotely important when some of us still haven't quite gotten how this all works?"

How I envision it will work (no guarantees, as this is a collective enterprise) is like this:

Are you an author who is or will be independently published?

Join our group for:

Help proofreading and editing - (via beta readers). This mechanism is still in the works, but I think Iffix's idea is the most practical.

Help with cover art We can share ideas and critique artwork to better accomplish effective eye-appeal.

Help increasing exposure and advertisement - The webpage and imprints are meant to create an internet and advertising footprint larger than any single author can accomplish. Of course, it is anticipated that self-published authors have or will have their own author's webpage. That webpage can be linked to the collective's imprint webpage. The imprint page will carry the names of the authors and/or bookcover images that link back to the author's page. Gathering together ought to greatly increase the number of internet impressions. Once organized, we could collectively purchase advertisement for the imprint, making possible advertising campaigns that none could afford alone.

No membership dues, fees, etc. Everything will be quid pro quo.

The more members, the greater the offerings from the parent and the genre imprints, and the more likely we are to be noticed.

We are in effect creating a "brand". The value of that brand will depend upon our dedication to produce and promote quality work.

As Iffix said, the logos, the genre names, the imprints all give us something on which to focus. Just as strangers benefit by gathering under a national flag, we can benefit by gathering under a cooperative symbol.

A.

Iffix wrote: "Are any of these better?
http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=2..."

I like the fonts, but most say 'for personal use only'. I'm sure we can find a source for the fonts. I'm only throwing out what is easily accessible to me now. I am open to all suggestions. And anyone artistically interested - help!

A.

How about a Greek-like font that is free? Do we have an artistic talent willing to draw something up?

So, let's try this site. The ones with the green dollar sign are free for commercial use.
http://www.1001fonts.com/search.html?...

Thatt was quite informative and insightful and just what I was looking for A so thank you for your thorough explanation.

Here's an attempt for the Apollo imprint with a different font and some color:

Wow, that's nice. Can Press be spread to the same length as Apollo?

Adrian wrote: "Wow, that's nice. Can Press be spread to the same length as Apollo?"

I'll see what I can do, but it will probably be hard to distort the font and make it look right. I try re-proportioning and see if that helps.

A.

Really like that version of the logo!

Also, I agree with Adrian that it would be nice to see it with the word "Press" larger - see what that looks like.

J. wrote: "Really like that version of the logo!

Also, I agree with Adrian that it would be nice to see it with the word "Press" larger - see what that looks like."

It looks strange when I try to increase the font size for Press. I think it helps to shrink the lyre though. What do you think?

It does.

Can you center Press, A.?

I like it! This will go great on websites. The amazing detail of the lyre will likely be lost on inside title pages and book spines. Would there be a way to--on black and white--keep the same look but just use the lyre shape-minus the strings, perhaps?

Adrian wrote: "Can you center Press, A.?"


The original rendering is black and white, with much better detail. I imagine using just the graphic symbol of the spines or covers of books - the lyre for Apollo Press, the sun graphic for Helios Books, the writing hands for IACP. We can use full black and white logos, words and symbols - on copyright pages. The color renditions are really just meant for the website, although any member could use them as they prefer.

Once we have established a set of logos for the various imprints, we can make sure every member has a set of images to use.

A.

Adrian wrote: "Can you center Press, A.?"

I work on centering the image better.

A.

I have to say, I'm really liking the progress. Nice job, A. And I really like the font as well.