• Member Since 4th May, 2013
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Estee


On the Sliding Scale Of Cynicism Vs. Idealism, I like to think of myself as being idyllically cynical. (Patreon, Ko-Fi.)

More Blog Posts1265

Sep
9th
2022

Site premiere: cover art, Story To Be Revealed When You Look Sideways (Or Down) Slightly · 9:44pm Sep 9th, 2022

We talked about this the last time around. I'm still going through the Ko-Fi tips which were originally designated towards cover art -- or rather, I was a few months ago, when this next piece originally came under discussion. Designated purpose. Additionally, any leftovers from the recent convention budget can only be put towards things associated with Pony and may wind up channeled for this sort of thing: if so, I may be able to manage one more, and I've already arranged to talk it over with Harwick in October -- once I see where the full budget is. It's also possible that I could put my tip goal as cover art again someday. Paying someone to format a PDF is magnitudes higher.

And, as before, if we can agree not to fight about this for a few minutes...

In the original plan, the next group of stories would have been the Business & Bureaucracy collection. This included the Barnyard Bargains tales, along with quite a bit of palace-set material and government work. And when you get into the heart of the material, you may not find a lot of dynamic images looking back.

...okay, there's a few. We could have gone with the Homecoming Riot, but that is a lot of ponies in one piece & place alike -- and the price goes up by population. And perhaps there might be a Mr. Rich rendering at some point, if there's sufficient demand (and/or tips) for it. But in this case... bureaucracy. A waste of time, some might say. A rather frustrating one. Something which... irritates.

So imagine being the one who's becoming irritated, because time is being wasted. And not even for the intended purpose.

Now. Imagine having to be the one who is wasting that pony's time.

How do you make bureaucracy dynamic enough for a cover?

Just Add Princess.

And so this is now the new cover art for Jury Duty II. You have now been juried. Harder.

You may want to look closely at this one. In fact, I'm encouraging it. There's a supersize version available through this link, and it'll let you get all of the detail. And my, is there a lot of detail...


To give Harwick his honors, you can comment here or on his Deviant Art page. Those wishing to commission him for their own stories can contact him through FIMFic. He also has a Patreon. Additionally, he finally has a Ko-Fi page to work with and is still trying to get that new monitor. Help an artist out.

So. Maybe one more, as leftovers and -- future goals? I'm not sure, and we'll have to discuss it after the final convention blog -- dictate. But for now? Look upon this, and... wonder.

Or, if you're an attorney, look upon it and sweat heavily.

At least it didn't happen to you.

Yet.

Comments ( 10 )

Oh my God, even the text on the pages is legible. That's fantastic!

:raritystarry:
Luna looks beautiful! Harwick, you are just amazing :heart:

Read On The Internet

Stephen King makes $30-$40 million a year.

The average hard copy book nets the author 10% of the cover price (give or take) from the publisher. Ebooks, about 70%. Most authors make less than $10,000 for their first few books. Many do not even make back their advance. (Typically, about $5,000.)

Assuming 1 book/year that's not even minimum wage. You could make more making blue jeans in a sweat shop in China.

Pre television, most authors had to have another job. JRR Tolkien was a teacher, for instance. So was HG Wells. (According to A A Milne (Winnie the Pooh) not a good one, but still.) Frank Baum (Oz + a horde of others) died broke. So did Mark Twain.

In short, my advice to aspiring writers is "Don't quit your day job."

:trollestia:

Wait. Are this drawing canon to the 'verse? If so, exactly what 'churches' exist in Equestria?

I mean, we know 'faith' does, but Celestia & Luna are so uncomfortable with that, would they let entire religions build up? Or are these imports?

Is that a wig, or the judge's natural mane?

5685451
Is this about the fine print on the questionnaire? That was all taken from an actual jury questionnaire example I found on the Internet, so any relation to Estee’s ‘Verse could/should be considered just artistic license.

That said, I know we’ve seen a pony funeral with a pony priest on the show itself.

5685463
Estee wanted it to be her mane, so I shifted it to a more appropriate pony color. Whether it naturally takes on those curls or she styles it for the job is her Honor’s secret.


5685424
Thank you so much! I’m glad that you enjoyed it.

5685573
I think your first idea was bang on - this is THEIR ROYAL MAJESTIES’ LOYAL CIVIL COURT after all!

5685570 Am I seeing John Larroquette as a unicorn there?

"All rise. Court is now in session, the Honorable Hairy T. Stone presiding!"

Nice! As usual. :)
Thanks, Harwick!

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