#CivCEO

[pipuisrpg]

Listen to CivCEO 8 by Andrew Karevik on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BX4M8QP2?source_code=ASSORAP0511160007

[random-bookquotes]

It was easy to see the flaws and failings of your subordinates, of your teammates, but pointing such things out was seen as needless criticism or nitpicking. Only when they were willing to face their own shortcomings, when they were willing to come from a place of humility to grow, would they accept the faults I saw in them. Why? Because it’s the easiest thing in the world to criticize, but it’s so damn hard to change.

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO 2 (The Accidental Champion #2)

#change #humility #criticize #criticism #subordinates #flaws #CivCEO #CivCEO 2 #Andrew Karevik

[myemilycoates]

Book Cover Research - Fantasy and Action

I looked again on Audibles website for some covers I liked related to the genre I am designing for, but also what techniques are working and aren’t in the genres. 

1. Ready Player Two -  Ernest Cline - action and adventure

An unexpected quest. Two worlds at stake. Wade Watts makes a discovery that changes everything. The book is based upon a video game, which I instantly referred to the space themed background and video game element in the type of pacman. I could experiment with combining type and image like here. Think this stood out against other action/adventure covers on the page as the cover is so simple, the background is subtle compared to the bold type

2. ElantrisBy - Brandon Sanderson - sci fi and fantasy

Elantris was built on magic, and it thrived. But then the magic began to fade, and Elantris began to rot. Can a young Princess unite the people of Elantris? This book cover stood out to me due to the closeness of the imagery, showing a close up of the main character which is quite engaging compared to other fantasy book covers which show more of a whole scene on the cover. I would like to experiment with my cover being more zoomed in to contrast to other covers, like this one, and draw listeners in.

3. CivCEO 2Accidental Champion Series, Book 2 - Andrew Karevik - fantasy

Strange medieval world where magic is real and legendary heroes coexist with mythical monsters. Again like for the book above, this cover stood out to me against other fantasy books due to the large scale imagery that is used. The green house gives a mysterious eery feel. I definately want to experiment with colour in this way within my own cover.

4. Kings of the WyldThe Band, Book 1By - Nicholas Eames - fantasy

A former bandmate turns up at Clay's door with a plea for help: his daughter Rose is trapped in a city besieged by an enemy horde 100,000 strong and hungry for blood. Rescuing Rose is the kind of impossible mission that only the very brave or stupid would sign up for. This cover stood out to me due to the type used, it is very bold and not a serif font, like most other covers in the genre. The type is positioned away from the characters, making it stand out even further.

5. The Vexed GenerationMagic 2.0, Book 6 - Scott Meyer 

Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy

it’s time for the teenagers to show the adults how wizardry really works. The twins set off on a quest to discover the truth of their parents' lives. Along the way they find secrets, lies, magic, time travel, strange new friends, stranger new enemies. This book cover isn’t my favourite as I don’t think it sums up the story very well, however I think it is successful in terms of it drawing in their target audience due to the more cartoon like imagery. Shows how the style of imagery can draw certain readers in. A more formal style will probably draw in the older audience for my story. 

6. Getting Back to San Angelo - Shane Burke - action + adventure

However, Chris has a purpose that goes far beyond his wildest imagination, follows a group of children from elementary school through to early adulthood. This audiobook describes their interpersonal and spiritual journeys as each character attempts to come to terms with the darkness that has pursued them from childhood. This is one of my favourite covers I saw, the red is so eye-catching a infers a deep routed story, suggests hints of horror in the story too. A very simple cover but very bold. Like how the text has almost been layered and cut out, I’d like to experiment with a technique like this or try sticking to one or two colours in my cover to be bolder and go against other covers.

From looking at more book covers, I also gathered that lots of the fantasy covers use realistic imagery that almost looks like photographs. Perhaps I could break this mould and still make more formal imagery, but just more unique and expressive. 

[hermanwatts]

Tomorrow’s People and CivCEO

She invited Joseph into the woods. Whether for a cult or a one night stand, he was not sure, but either way, he followed her. What Joseph encountered instead were Gray kidnappers, aliens who were using corporations to mold humanity into their own genetic image. Some people, enchanted by ancient lies, would get a choice to embrace the new path. Others, like Joseph, will resist…

J. Manfred Weichsel returns with Tomorrow’s People, full of the same body horror and political irreverence as his debut, Going Native (reviewed here and here). Here, Weichsel plays with the third wire of controversy, and, in the process, illuminates a vision of Hell not too far from today. And that vision is perhaps too on the nose, tied to the particular nightmare that is 2019, filled with the subversions, mobbing, and persecution that makes this present age such a delight to suffer through. There is a chance that this story will become too dated by how it is anchored in the present day milieu.

This one is not for fans of apolitical science fiction–or for the squeamish. Fortunately, Weichsel deals with the alien biohorrors with more grace than most grimdark stories, although he does not pull many punches at the horror.

But for all that care, and that taken in the investigation of identity, peer-pressure, and sedition, Tomorrow’s People is a bitter story dealing with the corruption of one’s society towards extinction. As such, what could be a haunting short story stretches thin in novella form.

For fans of such grim fiction such as Appalling Stories.

In Andrew Karevik’s  CivCEO, Charles Morris, a forcibly retired CEO, is spirited away by mistake to another world. Abandoned to his own devices, yet gifted with the same skills as an otherworldly champion, Charles settles into the the role of mayor for a small village. But when the villagers discover Charles lacks the blessing of their goddess, they give him an ultimatum: improve the prosperity of the village in a month or die. Now Charles must draw on fifty years of business skills to grow his village–and keep away from the gallows pole.

CivCEO is a variation of the growing dungeon builder genre of litRPG fantasy, bringing the management and building aspects above ground and into the light of day. Like many a dungeon builder and litRPG, CivCEO is exposition-heavy as it explains Charles’ various strategies for trade and development, albeit without abusing statistics sheets. Unlike said litRPGs, CivCEO does not get swept up into epic world-changing events over the horizon. Instead, it settles in among a cozier setting of Charles’ village and its nearby neighbors. And it’s this coziness, combined with Charles’ goal of making sure that both sides of a deal come out ahead, that gives CivCEO its charm.

Tomorrow’s People and CivCEO published first on https://sixchexus.weebly.com/

[pipuisrpg]

Listen to CivCEO 7 by Andrew Karevik on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/B0BSYDJJVD?source_code=ASSORAP0511160007

[random-bookquotes]

It’s easy to say that you want cancer cured and that we have to rally up as a community to stop it. It’s much harder to write a check for half of your net worth and see that it actually happens. The value of a dollar always beats the value of someone’s words.

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#Andrew Karevik #CivCEO #The Accidental Champion #community #charity #donation

[random-bookquotes]

“Happiness and business don’t mix,” I replied curtly. There was a moment of silence from Hemmings, but he cleared his throat and spoke to correct me. “This isn’t business, sir. These are the lives of actual human beings. They have wants and needs. If you wish to lead us properly, you can’t just look at us as numbers, you have to also see to our morale, to our happiness.”

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#business #CivCEO #Andrew Karevik #The Accidental Champion #Happiness #morale

[random-bookquotes]

“People like to classify any bestial creature as a monster,” Trimar said. “They use the word monster as a way to justify wanton murder. Dragons want to be left the hell alone, but they’re called monsters so treasure hunters don’t feel bad when killing them to get to their horde. They called elves monsters for two centuries, just to take their land. You aren’t a monster because of your face or your fangs, but what you do.”

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#Andrew Karevik #CivCEO #The Accidental Champion #monster #Dragons #treasure hunters

[random-bookquotes]

I’d call it lying, but truthfully, no one wants real honesty. If they did, they’d know that there’s nothing some rich guy could tell them that would turn their lives around.

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#lying #honesty #CivCEO #Andrew Karevik #The Accidental Champion

[random-bookquotes]

“The longer an army operates, the lower morale gets. Victories increase morale, sure, but nothing increases morale like not being in an army.”

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO 2 (The Accidental Champion #2)

#morale #victory #army #Andrew Karevik #CivCEO #CivCEO 2

[random-bookquotes]

There would always be thieves in this world, but if you could encourage them to steal from your enemies instead of you, well, things would be much, much easier.

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO 2 (The Accidental Champion #2)

#thieves #enemies #CivCEO #CivCEO 2 #Andrew Karevik

[random-bookquotes]

And then I said the last thing anyone committing lending fraud should say. “This is foolproof.”

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO 2 (The Accidental Champion #2)

#lending fraud #fraud #foolproof #CivCEO 2 #CivCEO #Andrew Karevik

[random-bookquotes]

From the outside, it can look very callous to state how little you are concerned with the opinions and feelings of others, but the truth is: it’s easy to criticize; it’s much harder to actually produce results.

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#opinion #criticize #CivCEO #Andrew Karevik #The Accidental Champion

[random-bookquotes]

Charm was the poor man’s currency, for if you had no credibility, you’d have to make them like you enough to give you their money.

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#Charm #CivCEO #Andrew Karevik #The Accidental Champion #credibility #money

[random-bookquotes]

“Say whatever it takes to close the deal. Turns out we can become incredible salesmen when our lives are on the line.”

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#salesmen #CivCEO #Andrew Karevik #The Accidental Champion

[random-bookquotes]

Unlike the other great entrepreneurs, I managed to keep my name intact. How? First, I ran my business with integrity and kept my hands to myself. Second, I never ran for office. It’s amazing how little controversy you can generate when you leave people alone and don’t bother politicians.

Andrew Karevik, CivCEO (The Accidental Champion #1)

#entrepreneurs #CivCEO #Andrew Karevik #politicians #politics #The Accidental Champion