Book Review: Art Chantry talks graphic design

Consumers encounter graphic design everywhere they turn. The fonts, colors and shapes of advertisements and publications utilize the designer’s skills to attract attention, intrigue the viewer and direct the buyer toward the sale. As a designer for more than forty years, Art Chantry has seen a lot of techniques and practitioners come and go. He offers his perspective of the business in Art Chantry Speaks: A Heretic’s History of 20th Century Graphic Design.

Chantry considers himself a bit of an outlaw, both working as a graphic designer and making wry observations on the state of the art. His always witty, sometimes acerbic observations share his knowledge of the art’s history and the people within it. Using blog posts collected over a few years, he has put together an intriguing overview of his world.

Describing a graphic designer as a “virtual cultural propagandist,” he chops at the notion of graphic design as high art and reveals many of the subtle influences at work in good design. Both winners and losers come under his examination. He divides the articles into three sections: The Language of Design, Designers and Artists, and Tools of the Trade, Forgotten Processes and Obsolete Objects. Each section contains a variety of articles on aspects of the subject.

The reader will have no doubt as to Chantry’s opinions on any of his subjects. When he loves a subject, he waxes rhapsodic about it. His disdain for some topics swirls like an eddy around the reader’s feet, pushing and pulling at the reader’s understanding of the topic. The volume is no dry textbook, but rather a living commentary on something we all face every day. Chantry uses humor, sarcasm and insight to explain his positions and share the history he lived.

A generous number of illustrations fill the book, as Chantry makes his points about particular styles and artists. Be warned: some upper body nudity and occasional vulgar language make this inappropriate for young readers, in spite of the pretty pictures. Mature readers will take delight in the combination of words and images used in the book.

Each article stands alone, allowing readers to jump directly to subjects of most interest or read out of order. Taken as a whole, the book shares a world few consumers think about but must travel every day. Both educational and entertaining, readers will find when Art Chantry speaks, they should listen.

Part history, part psychology, part snarky opinion, Chantry wraps readers in the stories and leaves them amazed at what goes into graphic design. Art majors will enjoy the panorama of design influence. The rest of us can enjoy the inside look at how our minds get molded by designers.

Art Chantry Speaks: A Heretic's History of 20th Century Graphic Design

by Art Chantry (Author), Monica René Rochester (Editor)

Published by Feral House (scheduled for release July 14, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1627310096

ISBN-13: 978-1627310093

Disclaimer: This review is based on a review copy provided by the author or publisher with no restrictions as to content. All opinions are my own.

Originally appeared 05/29/2015 at http://www.examiner.com/review/art-chantry-talks-graphic-design-upcoming-book-art-chantry-speaks

Book Review: "High Society Down" by C. R. Moore

When a well-to-do couple retires to a small town in Mississippi, they connect with others who have the same concerns: society is crumbling and those who are wise must prepare for the fall of everything. Using this premise as a starting point, author C.R. Moore has written ‘High Society Down,’ a debut novel filled with parties and preparations. Consider the theme as “Surviving with a Flair.”

Read the review in its entirety here.

Writers need reviewers and here are ways to find them

Every author needs reviews of her work to help future readers make the decision to read her book. The big question becomes, where can an author find reviewers to write those reviews? Here are some ideas of where to track down reviewers.

Even before the book is published, check review sites online. An internet search for “book reviews of [genre]” will provide a strong starting point. Sites already publishing those types of reviews will be likely resources to find reviewers. Some sites, such as RT Book Reviews, specialize in providing reviews in a genre. Approach the review writers listed there and ask if they are available and interested in reviewing your book. Read the fine print on the site; some sites charge to review your book.

Are you member of a writing group or book club? Ask fellow members to read and review your book for you. People you know will be more likely to follow through for you than strangers.

Donate a copy of your book to the local library and ask the staff to review the book for you. How about your local independent bookseller?

Have you met fellow writers at a writing conference? Contact them as potential reviewers.

Check your social media connections for people who will be likely candidates. A blanket post requesting reviewers may get names of interested readers, but evaluate them as to appropriateness before handing over your manuscript. Just because a reader is willing doesn’t mean he’s a good match. Is the book in his area of interest or expertise? Have you seen other reviews he has written?

Look for bloggers in your genre. The blogger may be interested in reviewing your book for the blog. Read the content for several posts to make sure the blogger’s tastes and views parallel your own. If the two of you have dramatic differences of perspective, your book may not get a fair consideration.

Don’t overlook print media. Your local newspaper may provide a venue for book reviews. Regional magazines, newsletters in related industries and organizational magazines can all provide potential reviewers. Choose outlets with an interest in your genre for best results.

Does your publisher have a place for reviews on the company website? Check there for names of potential reviewers. Ask your editor or publicist for names. They have a stake in getting reviews for your book and should be able to provide at least a few names.

Is your book on online sites? Make sure your author information there lets readers know you appreciate their reviews. Tell them how important their reviews are to you and ASK for the review.

Check with other authors in your genre. A mention from someone in the field can carry a lot of weight. Who do you respect in your genre? Who do you read? Contact those writers and ask if they would be interested in reviewing your book. If they say yes, great. If not, thank them nicely and ask if they can suggest someone.

If you sell the book in person, be sure to ask each purchaser to leave a review at his site of choice. Explain how precious his opinion is to you.

People willing to give you a review may not know where to put it. Remind them of the bookseller sites and various book-oriented sites such as GoodReads and Shelfari. If they aren’t willing to post on those sites, offer to post it on your own website or social media page, with their permission. 

Always ask for the review. In every interview you give, article you write and presentation you give, remind people how important reviews are to writers.

Above all, make sure to acknowledge the people who provide you with a review. A comment on an online review or a thank you note or email will let the reviewer know you saw the review and appreciated the time invested there.

Travel topics abound in Lowestoft Chronicle anthology Other Places

Armchair travelers, rejoice! Editor Nicholas Litchfield has released Lowestoft Chronicle's anthology for summer 2015, Other Places. Filled with fiction, nonfiction and poetry about travel and destinations, the ebook brings the far corners of the world to the reader’s armchair.

Check out the titles of a few entries: “Curious is Corsica: A Tale of Two Couples”; “Somewhere in the Heart of Rome”; “Segway with the Bulls”; “Bangkok of the Mind” and “Rescue in the Mystical Mountains.” These represent a small portion of the global destinations offered. Other articles deal with the process of travel, such as “To The Passenger in Seat C” and “Enter the Travellers.”

Click here to read more.

Jeff Goins shares what he's learned in The Art of Work

Author Jeff Goins takes the lessons he has learned along the path to publication and shares them with people in all walks of life in The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do. For Goins, work isn’t so much about a job as a calling; less about a paycheck than fulfillment.

Image courtesy Jeff Goins

Citing anecdotes of others who have made the kinds of life-changing choices he faced, Goins brings readers through the journey of moving into the realm of contented living. He identifies seven characteristics of the process: awareness, apprenticeship, practice, discovery, profession, mastery and legacy.


Read the rest of my review here.

Second chances and romance found on the bayou in Tina DeSalvo's 'Jewell'

     Dr. Jewell Duet came to the Bayou Country town of Cane, Louisiana for two reasons. Her business reason involves valuing and selling some antiques for local residents Elli and Ben Bienvenu at their home, Sugar Mill Plantation. Her expertise in the field powers her struggling business, All Things Antique. She must battle suspicion, both as an outsider and as someone under a legal cloud as she awaits trial on criminal charges back in New Orleans.

     The second reason stems from claims made by her grandmother, Mignon Duet. The elderly woman speaks of someone she calls Twinnie and identifies the Bienvenus’ home as her own. Jewell knows her grandmother suffers from Alzheimer's. Does Twinnie exist or is she a delusion of Mignon’s disease? Jewell fights to discover the truth before her beloved Mimi slips away from her forever.

Cover art courtesy Tina DeSalvo

     In Jewell, a Second Chance Novel, author Tina DeSalvo explores the ties of devotion between family members, the difficulties of dealing with a dementia patient and the power of love. 

Read the rest of my review here.