The Fourth Reich - the journey…

[Boneman]

There's something to be had in mentioning the fact that Snakes shed their skin (ie the bad guys doing the same and becoming reborn... as badder guys). Rather than Head of the Snake,(which seems a little 'bland' as it covers every genus of snake) what about Cobra's head? Nah, there's some computer game with a lot of cobras in the title.... as well as a helicopter. Are there any snakes you're particularly attracted to? (Not Blackadder...) Any decent german snakes you know of? What's the snake in the image?

[Gary Compton]

None that I could think of, not sure on the snake in the image, the CIA investigation is named S.N.A.K.E if that helps.

What do they call - shedding of a snakes skin?

[Ursa major]

In general language: moulting or, more particularly, sloughing. The discarded skin is the slough**.

The technical term is, I believe, ecdysis.







** - Is a certain town near Windsor the UK HQ? (And does David Brent get a job there?)

[Gary Compton]

That's interesting Ursa...mmmm Slough - Sloughing.

Creative juice goes into overdrive.

And no! I didn't miss the "s" of juice. I only have one.

Don't understand the UK HQ - David Brent thing though - sorry

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by Gary Compton

That's interesting Ursa...mmmm Slough - Sloughing.

Creative juice goes into overdrive.

And no! I didn't miss the "s" of juice. I only have one.

Don't understand the UK HQ - David Brent thing though - sorry

David Brent = Regional Manager based at the Slough Office of Wernham Hogg = Ricky Gervais = The Office.

[Gary Compton]

I am not a fan of RG so I have never watched any of his programs.

I did follow him for a while on Twitter, but if he moved any further up his own bottom, the Navy Seals would have to launch a mission to retrieve him - sorry.

Can't win them all Ricky?

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by Gary Compton

I am not a fan of RG so I have never watched any of his programs.

I did follow him for a while on Twitter, but if he moved any further up his own bottom, the Navy Seals would have to launch a mission to retrieve him - sorry.

Can't win them all Ricky?

Not a fan either, though I can truly say that over the years I have worked with a couple of managers like David Brent.

[Ursa major]

I'm not really a fan either, if only because I don't believe embarrassing situations are necessarily funny situations. (They can be - and be painfully so, as Frasier showed - but that's because that show had writers (and actors) who knew that you had to do extra work to get the laughs.)

[The Judge]

Gary, I saw this and thought it might be of interest as far as the cover design is concerned: http://zenoagency.com/news/bitter-seeds-cover-love/

[Gary Compton]

Thanks TJ, it's a good cover. I recognised the deaths head straight away with SS above it.

Not sure if the reader would know the significance of this but it certainly is simple and intriguing.

I have decided to change the name of book 1 to the Fourth Reich - the Head of the Snake and I have asked an artist to do a mockup of my idea. Here's what I said:

"Okay the series is called the Fourth Reich and book 1 is "the Head of the Snake."

The "Snake," being a shadowy organisation intent on taking over the world by causing the crash of economies, taking out enemies with subterfuge and infiltration of major political and business organisations.

They are behind supposed natural events and economy busting accidents. The book has lots of spy related chapters spread across the world.

Every member of the organisation has a tattoo see here so my idea is a lighting storm, at the top off the cover a United Nation like building with all the nations flags on poles outside, USA, UK, EU, Russia, Iran, Libya, Japan North Korea.

In front of the building a shadow (who is the ghost of Adolph Hitler) stands with the sword from the pic above stuck into the ground that is covered by skulls; loads of snakes slither over the skeletal remains. One bigger snake crawls up the sword and looks out toward the reader. It has to be menacing with red eyes etc."

I'd be interested in everyone's oppinion

[The Judge]

For me, that sounds much more intriguing (in both senses) than the other mock-up. I'm looking forward to seeing what the artist makes of it.

[Gary Compton]

Thanks TJ.

I will post the first draft of the book cover here as soon as I have it.

I'm enjoying the whole experience of pulling this together. I have been polishing the first 12 chapters ready for beta readers. Probably in a month I will stick my toe in the water and send them it, and maybe even submit it to the Chrons writing group.

And like I have said, I am not ruling out the traditional route to publishing but am putting my energy into things I can control, over what someone else has control over.

Onwards and upwards

[Gary Compton]

The idea for the cover was I laid out in post 40.

I have been working with the artist and suggested a first draft before she went to all the trouble of drawing the scene so you can view it below:



So this was my reaction:

"10 out of 10. I love it.

Only suggestion of the perspective looked down at bit more, so so you can see the steps in front of the Volkshall (Peoples Hall)and I presume this is in a lightening storm?

And the only colour to be flags, red eyes of snake and maybe the swastika on the sword.

Regards Gary."

Will wait and see what she does with it now. The building in the background is the Volkshalle and is in the story as are all the other elements.

I wondered what people think?

[hopewrites]

Creepy-awesome! When you discribed it above I thought the ghost would be
More translucent and the sword / snake more prominent, but that looks fine too.
I agree with your color choice and love the faces the skulls make. Adds a lot of atmosphere.

[Gary Compton]

Originally Posted by hopewrites

the sword / snake more prominent, but that looks fine too. I agree with your color choice and love the faces the skulls make. Adds a lot of atmosphere.

I want the sword more defined for sure, the artist is going to do another simple draft taking into account my suggestions so we'll wait and see. By the way she's a very talented artist and she's a member here on Chrons.

I'm going to reveal her name with pomp and ceremony when the picture gets finished