As many of you probably know, I am an independent author. That means I commission my own proofreaders, (not for the blog)(1) typesetters, editors and cover designers. I publish under my own small imprint called Mudlark’s Press. It’s hard work but I enjoy it and so far the rewards have been worthwhile, not just in terms of pleasure but I’m also making a little bit of money. Long may that last. I work very hard at making the best product that I can and so of course it slayed me the other day when I noticed a book that quite frankly looked just like mine. Worse it came from the imprint of a large publishing house. Now I know both designs could be said to be aping back to an older vintage look, but the same font, the same colour, the same square boxes at the borders!??? It felt less a coincidence and more a straight out copy. I fumed for a while, then decided to be flattered and decided not to pursue it. It could be a total coincidence after all.
front spine
9780993218040
9780993218057
61ah925A8pL. SX334 BO1204203200
Then today my designer gave me a nudge to point out that Harper Collins are launching a new imprint, called, I kid you not, Mudlarks. I despair.
All I can say is that if the big five publishers run out of ideas for a new project maybe they’d like to look over what I’m doing.
For the record, my next job is to summon Cthulhu, to dine upon my enemies. (Many thanks to Sally for the image below) Sally is my amazing designer who enjoys my regular invocations to gods of the nether realms. She is also waiting for me to write my Cornish Cycling Guide for Zombies.)
(1) I suspect it’s bloody obvious that no one proofs this.
