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Golden Artwork

I’m so thankful I met Soleil years ago.  Well, “met” on the internet — we’ve never met in person.  After reviewing some of my early work, she also began helping me as a beta reader.  She gets my voice and she shares her reaction to my work with me, so I can tell where I need to work a bit more or if I’m getting the responses I want.

A few months ago we were brainstorming in a private chat, and she suggested I run some kind of fan art contest.  At the time, I wasn’t sure when Return to Shanhasson would be available (GREGAR), so I didn’t take action, although I thought it was a great idea.  I would absolutely LOVE to commission some artwork.  Someday.

Well, the someday came very quickly when I couldn’t find the right stock photos for Golden.  I wanted something special, and if you haven’t tried to find an attractive Asian man 1). NOT holding a cell phone and 2). NOT dressed in a suit or as a ninja, then you can’t imagine how frustrating my hunt was.

Then it dawned on me.  This was my chance to commission artwork for Golden — that I could use for Romance Trading Cards.  And naturally, the first person I thought of, was Soleil.

She worked for weeks on these images, adding the small touches to make these images so much more special than anything I would have been able to find online.  I can’t wait to have these made into character cards!

 

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Romance Trading Cards for Lady Doctor Wyre

A huge HUGE thank you to Su at Earthly Charms for designing these incredible character cards for my new release!  I highly recommend her for quick, lovely designs — and I can’t wait to hold these little beauties in my hands!

These are all in pdf format.

If you’d like a complete set, send your snail mail addy to joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com.  It might be another week or two before they’re printed and shipped, but I’ll get them out as soon as I can.  (P.S. If anyone’s going to RWA or any other con and can take some of these along for me, please let me know!)

Updated:  I will ship internationally too – as long as you don’t mind me throwing in a few extras to make the postage worthwhile!  Feel free to share them with your friends!

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Sig Finalists

Thank you to everyone who’s been helping me look for Lord Sigmund Regret.  Here are ones that seem to almost work.  They’re still not right (but I don’t think I’ll ever find the perfect picture).  Which one do you like the best?

Vintage Man in Top Hat (vintage clothing but not much in the face)

Fausto (no vintage clothes but right color hair and interesting face)

A Pleasure (vintage but more renaissance or pirate clothing, interesting face; not sure how easily I’ll be able to get permission to use)

Young Vintage Man (nice clothes, interesting face, but he’s awfully young!)

Any other recommendations?  Do any of these scream SIG to you?

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Help! Romance Trading Cards

For years, I’ve been wanting to create trading cards for the Shanhasson series, but I couldn’t find Gregar.  Now I’ve got that sneaky Death Rider nailed down, I’m having a hard time finding Sig.  What is it about these assassins that make them so hard to find?  (For Gregar, it was his hair and I finally gave up.  For Sig, it’s his period Regency clothing!)

I’m going to try again, though, because of Romance Trading Cards.  What a cool idea!  I don’t plan to go to the big RT/RWA conferences this year, but I’d still like to have them.  Maybe I could get some kind soul to take them for me.  But I have to find the stock photos first.

That’s where you guys come in.  Please help me find Lord Sigmund Regret.  He’s a renowned assassin throughout the galaxy for as much as his clothing and manners as his killing ability.  He’s not a very young man — late twenties or early thirties.  The kicker:  he has blond hair.  Try and find a romance hero with blond hair.  Sigh.  It’s hard!  Now add period clothing.  Or even steampunk clothing.  Anything with a cravat or a vintage look will be acceptable.  I don’t want a generic man titty photo.  I’d prefer vertical, with as much of his gorgeous clothing as possible, but I’m flexible.

The catch:  it has to be from a stock photo site where I can buy the picture and download it for my promo use.  I have a membership at iStockPhoto and I’ll probably join ShutterStock since I found Lady Wyre from the cover there.  I can’t do general internet shots of models, movies, etc.  It has to be royalty free or I can’t use it.  I’m willing to join any of the major stock sites to get the RIGHT picture.

If you find Sig for me, I’ll give you a $20 gift certificate to the online bookstore of your choice.