How To Choose An Amazon Author Central Profile Picture (Maybe)

I usually don't write these types of blog posts since I'm not the most experienced in the field, but I figured it would be good for both my readers and my fellow writers. I think discussion is great for growth and perception. So, my fellow authors, how do you choose a great Author Central profile picture? Where's the checklist? Where are the guidelines?

Well, in most cases, I'd say it's best to play it safe. After all, safe works, right? So, you take a glance at what the established authors are doing. With a simple glimpse at the Amazon Author Rank (Beta), you'll see a large set of examples ranging from simple to professional, and even professionally simple. You can take a photo of yourself with an insouciant glance at the camera while you sit in a elegant environment; take a nonchalant photo with a library background, a backdrop brimming with hundreds of books; or, stick to the classics with the black-and-white filter.

Now, I don't mean to sound smug or pretentious. I'm not trying to mock those using black-and-white photos or anything like that. To be frank, I'm rather jealous. You see, I'm a hideous person and I've come to terms with that. At the same time, I fear my atrocious (I might be exaggerating) mug might scare away potential readers in its raw form. In turn, showing my face is out of the question. So, what does an ugly fella like myself do to add some pizzazz to his profile? Well, I've opted for a highly-modified image of myself. Take a gander below:

Hey! That's me!

That's my profile picture. A good example of an effective image? Probably not. It's far from a traditional profile picture. Some would argue it's better to have a simple image of one of my books or nothing at all. However, since many authors opt for the more traditional routes, I think this gives me an opportunity to experiment, which is extremely important for independent authors. We need to constantly test our methods, including our writing, our marketing, and, yes, even our selfies.

I'm not saying I'm the first to break ground, but this is my first time trying something more unconventional. For so long, I've felt like I've been following a set of rules. I felt like I was forced to stick to the guidelines and stay away from the taboo. It's even restricted some of my writing, making me change certain scenes so I don't 'offend' people. I don't want to do that anymore. With this image, I feel liberated.

Besides, I honestly don't think it's that bad. I am a horror writer, I've dabbled in surreal themes, and I'm delving into some very dark thrillers during 2016 — I think this image accurately portrays that madness. It also represents the frustration of failure — I've experienced plenty of that over the past few years. I think it represents me. Isn't that what's most important? I suppose that's what I'm trying to say: choose a profile picture that represents you. If it's a traditional portrait, then so be it. If it's something more unconventional, go for it! Forget about the guidelines and trust your heart.

Anyway, thank you for reading! I hope I didn't ramble too much. I don't write these types of blog posts often... Wait, I already wrote that. Oh, and once again, I just want to make it clear: I love your profile pictures! If I were more handsome, I'd probably have a picture of myself in front of my collection of movies.

Until next time,
Jon Athan
@Jonny_Athan

Shattering Skies: The 10-Day Invasion is now available for pre-order!

Hello! Shattering Skies: The 10-Day Invasion is now available for pre-order on Amazon and set to release on December 14th, 2015! I've been teasing this book for the past few months in my writing updates and I'm very excited to finally reveal it. Like all of my writing, Shattering Skies is a product of my genuine passion for horror and storytelling.

So, what is Shattering Skies? Shattering Skies is an interconnected horror/sci-fi anthology. The book tells ten stories that connect to tell the tale of one large invasion. You can expect horrifying abductions, sly body snatchings, vicious battles, and much more. As usual, you can also expect dark and unexpected endings - no one is safe!

With this new book, I aimed to make aliens frightening again. While searching for alien horror books to read a few months back, I was flabbergasted when I found more erotic-romance than horror. There were a few alien books, many based on Ridley Scott's Alien, but most featured men with rippling muscles on the cover. There's none of that in Shattering Skies - that's a completely different genre. This is a thrilling horror adventure.

Anyway, I hope you support and enjoy the book. If you don't want to pre-order, you can also read the book through the Kindle Unlimited program when it officially releases. Thanks for reading!

Until our next venture into horror,
Jon Athan
@Jonny_Athan

Pre-order now for $2.99

Holiday Season Price Drops!

Hello! To celebrate the holiday season and over one year of publishing books, I've decided to drop the price of my original series, Tales From Under The Bed. Starting today, you can purchase each installment, Volumes 1 through 4, for $0.99 each. The price has been lowered across all Amazon marketplaces, dropping to the lowest possible price in each respective shop.

Thank you for your support over the past 12 or so months. It has been a long and strenuous trek, but I've enjoyed every second of it thanks to you. If you haven't read these books yet, I hope you enjoy them. Although I believe I have improved as a writer over the past year, these stories still hold a special place in my heart — and many are inspired by classic urban legends! Anyway, thanks again! Enjoy the holiday season and read plenty of books!

Until our next venture into horror,
Jon Athan
@Jonny_Athan

Black Friday 2015 Deal - 10 Days: Undead Uprising only $0.99!

It's time to celebrate Black Friday 2015 on Amazon.com! From November 23rd through November 29th, you'll be able to purchase 10 Days: Undead Uprising for $0.99 — that's a whopping 75% off! This huge discount is only available through Black Friday week, so keep an eye on the clock and don't miss out!

10 Days: Undead Uprising is an interconnected horror anthology. Undead Uprising connects 10 short stories to tell one massive tale about a zombie apocalypse. Zombies become stronger through mutation, humans become deviant through tragedy, and the world crumbles through catastrophe. If you love zombie horror, this is the book for you.

$0.99 — Black Friday Week Only!

Writing Updates for November 2015: An Alien Invasion, Sorrow, and Blurred Lines

Hello, again! Thank you for supporting the release of Enter The Vortex Vol. 4: Surreal Tales of Horror and Fantasy last week. As I previously mentioned, Volume 4 will be the last installment in the series. If there is notable interest, I may return to it in the future, but it will be dormant for now. Don't fret, though, I have plenty of new and creative ideas to push.

First and foremost, as I teased last month, December's release will be an interconnected-anthology about aliens. Sort of a spiritual successor to 10 Days: Undead Uprising, Project: Invasion (a tentative title) tells ten interconnected short stories to tell the tale of one large invasion. The main focus, like most of my books, is horror. I've also taken some influence from some of my favorite alien films, like Alien and The Thing. The book is nearing completion and should be available for pre-order in early December and set to release on December 14, 2015.

I've already scheduled my release for January 2016. The first book of the new year will be a mixture of horror and drama. As I've said a million times, I've always felt drama amplified horror when the genres were combined. Tragedy can conjure true terror. With this book, tentatively titled Project: Melancholy, I aim to create something very effective on several levels. The book is currently being proofread. Keep your eyes peeled for more details during my monthly updates.

Blurred lines? What is that supposed to mean? Well, recently, I've started to delve into longer prose. So, starting February 2016 and moving through the rest of the year, you can expect a barrage of novellas and novels. While writing and conceptualizing these new stories, however, I have found myself at odds with, well, myself. I'm seeing blurred lines. I want to deliver unforgettable experiences, but I can't seem to find the line between acceptable and taboo. I have disturbing scenes planned, but I'm afraid of alienating my audience. I don't plan on removing or changing anything, but it's something I had to get off my chest. What do you think? As a reader or writer, do you believe there are lines we shouldn't cross?

Anyway, thanks for reading. Your readership keeps me going during my most pessimistic times. I hope you are enjoying the books. Please don't forget to leave reviews if you enjoy something - reviews are incredibly valuable to independent authors.

Until our next venture into horror,
Jon Athan
@Jonny_Athan

Enter The Vortex Vol. 4 is available now!

Let's get straight to the point. Enter The Vortex Vol. 4: Surreal Tales of Horror and Fantasy is now available on Amazon.com! You can purchase this new installment for $2.99 or read it for free as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription. Regardless of your method, thank you for your readership! I can't thank you enough for your support. I've loved writing this series and I can't wait until you experience these shocking twists.

On that point, please leave honest review after reading. Your review will help me improve and it will help other readers find the book. For the time being, this will be the final installment in the Enter The Vortex series. If you'd like to see more installments in the future, tell me in a review. Reviews are also an excellent way to gauge interest in series and genre.

Anyway, thanks again for the support. I hope you have a wonderful time reading this new batch of surreal horror stories. I'm already preparing December's release — if you love aliens and horror, keep your eyes peeled!

Until our next venture into horror,
Jon Athan
@Jonny_Athan

Buy it now for $2.99!

Writing Updates for October 2015: The Vortex, Aliens, and Melancholy

Hello! First and foremost, thanks to everyone for supporting the launch of 10 Days: Undead Uprising last week. Undead Uprising was my first attempt at an interconnected horror anthology. It was a product of passion, love, and, of course, zombies. I'm very thankful for your readership — I'll never be able to thank you enough.

So, what's next? Well, this November, we'll be returning to the Vortex. That's right, Enter The Vortex Vol. 4 is coming in November with 10 new surreal tales of horror and fantasy. As usual, you can expect some unconventional plots, shocking twists, and the unexpected. The book is in the proofreading process now and should be available for pre-order within the next two weeks. Look out for more details soon.

Did you enjoy 10 Days: Undead Uprising? Do you like aliens? If so, you're in luck. This December, I'll be releasing a new interconnected anthology about an alien invasion. Like Undead Uprising, this alien anthology will tell 10 stories connecting to tell one large tale — each story is unique but significant to the larger plot. As usual, the stories have a strong focus on horror and suspense. This book is also completed and awaiting a thorough proofread.

I'm currently working on a new anthology code-named Project: Melancholy. This is a set of stories blending drama and horror to paint pictures of terrifying sorrow. I feel drama and horror work well in amplifying each other when blended properly. I am aiming to create something melancholic and horrifying, it's that simple. You may feel uncomfortable reading these stories, but I hope they leave an impression. This book is nearing completion and should be available January 2016.

As you can see (or read), I've been working very hard. In fact, I'm already outlining my next book — my first novella/novel in nearly a year! With my longer prose, I hope to deliver a more effective narrative. I can tell you this now: you'll be shocked with what I have planned for the rest of 2015 and 2016. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying the books. You, the reader, keep me going every day. Thank you.

Until our next venture into horror,
Jon Athan
@Jonny_Athan