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Why (when) artists choose to be status-invisible: An unrecognized phenomenon of the contemporary Europe by Marisstella Octek (SL Čižmešija)
Why (when) artists choose to be status-invisible: An unrecognized phenomenon of the contemporary Europe by Marisstella Octek (SL Čižmešija) Rare among us artists who have created over several decades have not participated in some prestigious competitions and events that publicly reward their participants. It is truly incredible to think that artists would want to be status-independent, “nobody and nothing,” invisible because of their principles.The historic speech of the Vice President of the USA, Mr. James David Vance (according to Wikipedia, born James Donald Bowman) at the Munich Security Conference (MSC 14.2.2025) pointed out the problem of the “ostensibly Western and democ...
Imagination-fantasy as a health topic: AI (artificial intelligence) versus IA (intellectus archetypus) by Marisstella Octek (SL Čižmešija)
Imagination-fantasy as a health topic: AI (artificial intelligence) versus IA (intellectus archetypus) by Marisstella Octek (SL Čižmešija) The world is rapidly changing technologically, and we describe the changes in terms of technological revolution or progress: it changes at the instigation and persistent efforts of humans who advances and achieve civilization, calling it development and expecting the human species to adapt and accept changes as necessary and fateful.One of the contemporary demands that the technological revolution/progress places on us is the rejection of imagination, also for the reason that artificial intelligence AI has been created, which will successfully cre...
Literary works in small languages and (un)known scripts: the example of the Croatian Glagolitic script as an identity problem of a part of contemporary Europe by Marisstella Octek (SL Čižmešija)
Literary works in small languages and (un)known scripts: the example of the Croatian Glagolitic script as an identity problem of a part of contemporary Europe by Marisstella Octek (SL Čižmešija) In my story “Risan is Teuta” [published in Croatian in the Montenegrin magazine ARS 2019, translated into English in KDP AMAZON 2025], the main character Queen Teuta cries over the fate of the Illyrian language: because the new fashion is for poets to write in Latin. If readers of the poet’s native language do not read his poems, he is forced to write in a language that is read (appreciated) and which will replace his native language in the future. Teuta distances herself from the...
MARISSTELLA ARTS SOCIETY : POETRY : 4 POEMS : CROATIAN - ITALIAN
MARISSTELLA OCTEK (SL ČIŽMEŠIJA) MAGNET, ZRCALO Privlačiši iskru i pepeoi suglasje i nesuglasje riječikako se rušiš,potom obnavljaš. Slašću magneta primaš u sebeneizlječive istostipa ih puštašneka se otkrijuda bi ih nadvisio. Ja, dolazimu ruhu različitosti (da me ne prepoznaješ, da me ne bi žudio) imenujem nas:magnet, zrcalo=MAGNETE, SPECCHIO Attrai e scintilla e cenere e accordo e disaccordodelle parolecome ti schianti, poi ti rinnovi Con la dolcezza ...
Self‑Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: How a New Author Can Choose the Right Path
Self‑Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: How a New Author Can Choose the Right PathChuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorFor a brand‑new author, few decisions feel as overwhelming, or as defining, as choosing between self‑publishing and traditional publishing. Both paths can lead to a successful writing career, but they work differently, and each comes with its own set of expectations, responsibilities, and rewards. The good news is that there’s no “wrong” choice. The better news is that once you understand how each option works, the right path for you usually becomes clear.This article breaks down the differences in plain English, focusing on what new authors actually need ...
Can a minimalist book cover still convey lyrical narratives and Emotion?
Can a minimalist book cover still convey lyrical narratives and Emotion?Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorMinimalist book covers often look deceptively simple—one object, one color field, a quiet title. But simplicity isn’t the same as emptiness. When done well, minimalism can feel poetic, atmospheric, and emotionally charged. It can hint at a novel’s inner music without spelling out every detail. For new authors, this approach can be a powerful way to communicate tone, theme, and narrative promise with clarity and confidence.This guide breaks down how minimalist covers work, why they resonate with readers, and how you can use them to express the emotional qualities of your story...
How the Lettering on a Book Cover Shows the Story’s Mood and Pace
How the Lettering on a Book Cover Shows the Story’s Mood and PaceChuck Morgan, Crime Fiction Author When new authors think about book covers, they usually picture the artwork first, the image, the colors, and the overall vibe. But the lettering on your cover does just as much work as the picture behind it. In fact, the typography often communicates the story’s mood and pace before a reader even notices the art. The font, size, spacing, and style of your title and author name all send signals about what kind of experience your book delivers.Typography isn’t decoration. It’s storytelling.This article breaks down how lettering shapes mood and tempo in a way that’s easy to underst...
The Genisis of My Story
I was caring for my father who was fading away into dementia land when I began my book. It actually started as a short story about being a caretaker. The short story was set aside when I realized that the subject was larger than a short story and would be better served by making it a novel. Whle considering the novel aspect, I picked up a copy of, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. This proved to be incredibly fortuitous. It lit a fuse, so to speak and resulted in the adoption of Steinbeck's model for his book to structure my own story.Once in the novel writing frame of mind, I sought to create an interesting story, not just an account of how difficult it is to deal with a conditio...
How a Simple Image Becomes a Strong Book Cover
How a Simple Image Becomes a Strong Book CoverChuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorA good cover works because every part, composition, color, typography, and detail, pulls in the same direction. The goal is not to explain your plot but to suggest the experience the reader will have. A thriller should feel tense. A romance should feel warm. A fantasy should feel epic. Readers make these judgments in seconds, so clarity matters more than complexity.Think of a cover as a billboard. It must be readable from afar, recognizable at thumbnail size, and emotionally accurate at full size. When you choose one powerful image, a simple color palette, and clear type, you give readers an immediate sense...
How can synesthetic design improve your fiction book cover?
How can synesthetic design improve your fiction book cover?Chuck Morgan, Crime Fiction AuthorMost readers react quickly to hints that remind them of different senses. By mixing color, texture, type, and imagery in smart ways, you can make a cover feel like it has a sound, a smell, or a touch. This creates a stronger emotional reaction, sets clear genre expectations, and helps your book stand out in a crowded market.What synesthetic design means for book coversSynesthetic design is when you purposely combine visual elements, color, type, texture, and implied movement to make readers sense something beyond sight. Only a small percentage of people have true synesthesia, but everyone understands...