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Sunday, July 12, 2015

Cover Story: The Making of My Book Cover as Influenced by Peggy Sue, part I.

Months ago, I set-out to create a memorable book cover for Woman on the Verge of Paradise. My strategy included these ingredients:
  • some form of chocolate, the darker the better;
  • my elegant 8-year old wedding dress, which still fit if I held my breath indefinitely and ignored the fact that the back snap kept popping open;
  • a professional photography studio in Sacramento, CA;
  • the creative genius of Bryan Pedas, one-half of the creative genius bro-duo at A Beer for the Shower. Oh, and one more thing...
  • Peggy Sue. In case you haven't met her, Peggy Sue is Brandon and Bryan's CEO: a mentally challenged goat with an orthopedic shoe. Only in hindsight did I realize Peggy Sue had influenced my book-cover photo-shoot. She and I would be like celibacy lookalikes, like DeVito and Schwarzenegger, Donald Trump and Miley Cyrus, Richard Simmons and a head of broccoli...We're talking kin-dread spirits. And I'll prove it to you in upcoming posts. For now, let's welcome Miss Peggy Sue. Peggy limps onto the stage with a lengthy, slobbery, "BAAAH!"
 
artwork by Brandon Meyers and Bryan Pedas, who first introduced
Peggy Sue here.

Thank you, B&B, for pushing her out of the helicopter. I don't even think she noticed there was no parachute. I'll kick her back your way after she assists with some demos. Actually, we could use her in CA. Drought and all. We haven't seen this much fluid in a long time. She really is special.

Stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen, for a series of cover-reject photos.

Take care of yourselves, and have a laugh-filled week.

35 comments:

  1. Oh, Peggy Sue . . . we can all identify with her a little bit, scary as that may be.

    Speaking of the California drought, I bought some almonds today. Those sonsabitches have doubled in price now.

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    1. Sorry, Deb. On a happy note, Peggy Sue is helping and the prices are sure to fall back down.

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  2. I thought Peggy Sue was more a cow but what do I know? I do understand the orthopedic shoe. Did you get a little rain? I am all for chocolate but, alas, my wedding dress can no longer even fit my upper thighs

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  3. Yay, Peggy Sue! I would say her full name but I'm trying to drop my use of retarded...damn. Wait a second, which one of you is Trump and which is Cyrus?

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  4. Somedays Peggy Sue is a very flattering self portrait. Including the sticky-out ears for which I wore headbands to bed for many useless years.

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  5. Her eye lashes tell me she's a lady...and possible the lack of a beard. I think she needs a visit to the hairdresser though. Does Peggy Sure have a mission statement?

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  6. OMG Peggy Sue is ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!

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  7. See the beauty in everything.... :)

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    1. It's the only way. Right, Jeremy? Peggy Sue is, well, a head-turner.

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  8. lol here's hoping you make as much as Devito and Arnold did together.

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    1. That's a very nice, thought, Pat, especially because Peggy Sue wouldn't likely notice if her share went missing. Hmmm...Thanks.

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  9. Peggy Sue is an interesting character. I like the red bow on her head. :)

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  10. Peggy Sue is a multi-millionaire who owns her own business, runs a fairly successful blog, and has killer break dance moves. You could have worse lookalikes. At least this one has ambition. And orthopedic support.

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  11. Trump and Cyrus...hmmm, I think whichever one you picked would be an insult to both of you!
    She would make an interesting cover. She's adorable. I wonder what the chew marks in her ear are?

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  12. "DeVito and Schwarzenegger, Donald Trump and Miley Cyrus, Richard Simmons and a head of broccoli..." Some things just need to be kept apart and out of site, except for DeVito, he's funny!

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  13. Peggy Sue is interesting and intriguing personality!

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  14. I'm ashamed to say I've been to countries that serve goat. Sorry Peggy Sue.

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    1. No worries, Stephen. She thought you said "glue". So she's eating some right now to see how she likes it.

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  15. Well, there's a face I've almost forgotten about. I suppose the bad dreams will return too...

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  16. For my books, I use pictures of me.
    Maybe that's a major reason why they're not bestsellers.
    I should go with a picture of a goat.

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  17. Interesting thoughts indeed. Best wishes!

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  18. Peggy Sue seems pretty special. Can't wait for the final cover!

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  19. She's kind of cute. And don't we all have days when we look like that? :)

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  20. Hey Robyn,

    Okay, yeah I know, where the heck is that amazing yet humble Gary? Tada n'stuff, at three in the morning, I finally get here. I should get bonus points! :)

    Cover reject photos are the best. I've done a few cover reveals in my time. Then again, my cover reveals had to do with my latest bedsheets, speaking of "Woman on the Verge of Paradise."

    Goodnight, y'all.

    Gary :)

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  21. Woot, woot! Can't wait to see the rejects... And the actual. I'm betting it's epic.

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    1. I'm biased, but I do believe it is, Crystal. Thank you.

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  22. You can't lose with Peggy Sue! Sounds like a political campaign slogan doesn't it?! Haha XX

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  23. Oh, Peggy Sue! Poor thing looks all kind of special.

    You are having a drought, we are getting drenched. Wanna swap places for a bit? I could sure use some sunshine and rain free days.

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  24. 'I absolutely did not have chocolate relations with that woman.'
    'The stains prove otherwise Mr President.'

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