#Custom Book Embosser

[custombookembosser]

Customizing the books and the invitation cards is easier now as now you can avail custom book embosser service in cheap. Custom book embosser is the kind of tool that is going to form that embossed surface on your preferred book so that it can look more unique.

[engineersealstamps]

Professional Blue Soft Seal Embosser

No matter what your profession may be, our Professional Blue Soft Seal Embosser will help you to add an impression with your information quickly and easily. Featuring a calming blue color and convenient size, this embosser is easy to take with you wherever you go. Plus, it comes equipped with a sliding lock mechanism that can be activated when you need to move or store it away.

Highlights:

State Board Guaranteed

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Includes complimentary e-seals

Shipped to buyers in under 48 hours

Easy to grip handle

[kumikocchi]

currently in the odd hyperfixation phase of my cycle

[gia-d]

Back in October last year, I started reading This is an Adjuration by @not-freyja.

By the time I had made it to chapter 5, I had already started typesetting this story as I read because I knew this would be one of those stories that I needed to have on my shelf.

When I finally caught up to the story at chapter 31, I begged the author to let me bind this when it was finished.

Nearly a year later, and what is probably the most important bind of my life is finally finished. Check out these glamour shots, and if you want to hear more about the actual binding process and about how this fic actually changed my life, see below.

So funny story, before I get into the technical side of this bind, but this fic actually changed my life. Not as in I was greatly emotionally moved by the story, though don't get me wrong I absolutely was, but genuinely this fic introduced me to some of the best people I have ever had to privilege of knowing (Hello Class, you know who you are 🩷), and also, it introduced me to Freyja, the incredibly talented author, who, as I type this, is curled up in bed next to me fast asleep after flying half way around the world to go on a two week long date with me.

Moral of the story folks is comment on the fics you like. You might accidentally meet the love of your life on, and I can't believe I'm saying this, AO3.

Anyways, about the bind!

This bind was a challenge from day 1. I had to do the typeset for this 300k word fic 4 times, and had to split it across 2 volumes. This was the longest fic I have ever attempted to bind, and it was so thick I couldn't get it in the paper trimmer.

To make this book as durable as possible, I attempted a few techniques. I secured it with 3 tapes, I made an Oxford hollow, I rounded the spine, I made a slipcase and I used 2.3mm boards where normally I use 1.8mm.

The slipcase is covered with embossed faux leather, buckram and plain ribbon, and lined with gold satin fabric. I've never made a slipcase before so this was an experience.

The books are covered with an emerald green silk finish bookcloth which really gave the books the luxury they deserved. I foiled custom end papers as well as every chapter title page using heat reactive transfer foil on toner ink (never again I am never doing that again omg it took days). Huge thank you to @la-sera for letting me use her artwork which helped inspire this fic!

The grey flashback chapters I had to use HTV for the border decoration and I'm very happy with how that turned out because it was so easy and straight forward, unfortunately it just wasn't viable for the whole book.

It feels weird to finally have these books done. They have my blood, sweat, tears and my heart poured into them, and I've been working on them for so long that it's odd to actually have them finished. I'm so proud of this bind, and feel like I've grown so much as a fanbinder by making these.

Anyways, if anyone has any questions about the process, please don't hesitate to ask!

(and if you are an Linked Universe fan and haven't read Adjuration yet, this is your sign!)

[bookwormjust]

Gifts for a new family (established relationship with Azriel)

As you walk through the lively streets of Velaris, the city sparkles with the magic of the approaching Solstice. Snow gently falls, dusting your dark curls as you move from stall to stall, gathering thoughtful gifts for each person you hold dear. The vibrant energy of the city surrounds you—laughter, chatter, and music drifting through the air—but you’re focused, determined to find the perfect gift for each individual.

The Archeron sisters, your dearest friends, are at the top of your list. For Nesta, something elegant but practical—a sword charm, small yet intricately carved, reminding her of strength and grace. For Elain, a collection of rare seeds wrapped in delicate ribbon, the kind that will bloom into the most beautiful flowers in the gardens she adores.

Then, there’s Lucien. The idea of him being alone during Solstice tugs at your heart, especially with Elain’s rejection lingering in the air. No one seems to have thought of buying him anything, but you do. After a few moments of wandering, your eyes fall on a beautifully bound book on rare herbs and healing remedies—a subtle but kind offering, something that speaks to his knowledge and appreciation of the natural world. You smile softly, hoping it will be a small comfort to him.

And for Azriel—your shadowsinger. Your heart flutters as you think of him, the way his shadows dance around him like they know you. You’ve spent hours pondering the perfect gift, wanting to show him how much you care, how much he means to you. You finally settle on something simple yet deeply personal—a custom-made leather sheath for Truth-Teller, engraved with symbols of protection and strength, paired with a small silver pendant representing hope, something light for him to carry, always close to his heart.

Azriel’s mother, though you’ve never met her, is also on your mind. After all, she’s an important part of him, and you want to honor that. In a small shop tucked away in a quieter corner of the city, you find a delicate silver bracelet adorned with small, shimmering crystals that catch the light just right. It’s a token of kindness and respect, a gesture to show you’re thinking of her even before your paths have crossed.

With your arms full of gifts, you make your way through the bustling streets, feeling the warmth of the season and the love you have for everyone in your heart.

As you continue through the vibrant streets of Velaris, you think about the gifts for Feyre, Rhysand, and Cassian, wanting each of them to feel the thought and care you’ve put into their Solstice presents.

For **Feyre**, you know how much she values art and expression, how it centers her and allows her to find peace in times of chaos. You eventually come across a beautiful set of high-quality paints from an artisan's stall. The pigments are vibrant, and there’s an array of colors Feyre could use to bring life to her next masterpiece. Alongside the paints, you pick up a small, hand-crafted sketchbook with a leather cover embossed with Velaris' iconic skyline, a symbol of home and her new beginnings.

For **Rhysand**, the High Lord of the Night Court and someone whose burdens are heavy, you want to offer him something that will remind him to find moments of rest and joy, despite his responsibilities. After wandering a bit longer, you find an elegant silver cuff with an intricate, celestial design that mirrors the night sky—the stars and moons delicately engraved into the metal. It's imbued with a subtle magic that encourages calm and relaxation when worn. A small but meaningful reminder that he, too, deserves peace.

And then, there’s **Cassian**. His boundless energy, laughter, and warrior spirit make you smile as you think of him. You search for something that speaks to his strength but also shows that you understand the heart beneath his brash exterior. After much deliberation, you find the perfect gift—a beautifully crafted pair of leather vambraces, sturdy but detailed with intricate patterns of wings and flame, symbolic of both his Illyrian heritage and the inner fire he carries. There’s also a bottle of rare Illyrian whiskey from one of his favorite distilleries, a little something extra to bring him joy on Solstice night.

With every gift now carefully chosen, you feel a warm sense of satisfaction. Each present carries a piece of you, a reflection of how much these people mean to you, and you can already imagine their reactions as they unwrap their gifts. The Solstice, after all, is about connection, love, and light—something you’re more than happy to share with those you call family.

As you stand on the bustling street, snowflakes dusting your shoulders and your arms full of carefully chosen gifts, the weight of the bags starts to pull at you. You smile softly, thinking how wonderful it would be to have Azriel here to help carry them—and to see him, of course. Through the bond, you can feel his steady, quiet presence, a warm pulse of calm beneath your skin.

You reach out gently, letting your thoughts drift toward him. *Azriel?* you send, a soft, playful nudge through the bond. *I may have gotten a bit carried away with the Solstice shopping...* You glance down at the many bags you're struggling to hold. *If you're not too busy, do you think you could come rescue me?*

For a moment, there's silence, then you feel a ripple of amusement from him, his presence wrapping around your mind like a comforting shadow.

*Rescue, hmm?* he responds, his voice a deep, smooth caress in your mind. *I’ll be there in a moment, love.*

A warmth floods your chest at his words. Within minutes, you catch sight of his familiar form gliding effortlessly through the crowd, his wings tucked close to avoid the bustling shoppers. As he approaches, his shadows swirling gently at his sides, his hazel eyes lock onto yours, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Azriel takes in the sight of you, arms full of bags, and chuckles quietly. “Looks like you’ve been busy,” he says, his tone warm as he reaches for the bags, easily lifting them from your hands as if they weigh nothing. His fingers brush yours as he does, sending a shiver of warmth through you.

“Just a bit,” you reply, smiling up at him. “I didn’t realize how much I was carrying until I tried to walk back.”

Azriel shakes his head, his shadows whispering around you both as if they’re pleased to see you together. “Good thing I’m here, then,” he murmurs, his eyes softening as they linger on you. “Shall we?”

With his strong arm around you, you feel a sense of lightness, knowing that together you can face the chaotic streets and the busy holiday, each gift chosen with care and love for your new family. You walk side by side through Velaris, the snow falling softly around you, as Azriel quietly and effortlessly carries the weight that had become too much for you—just as he always does.

[novaursa]

The Games We Play

- Summary: The dragon catches Otto’s attention, and he decides to charm you.

- Pairing: targ!reader/Otto Hightower

- Note: The reader is the younger sister of Viserys and Daemon.

- Rating: Mild 13+

- Next part: ambition of the heart

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @alyssa-dayne @oxymakestheworldgoround

The corridors of the Red Keep stretch before you, gilded by the warm glow of the morning sun, filtering through the windows. The tapestries sway with the faint breeze, but your attention is on a page of a history book about Old Valyria, which you clutch with both hands as you walk.

Your brother, King Viserys, had gifted you this particular tome, knowing how fascinated you were by dragon lore. But as you turn the page, you nearly stumble over the hem of your gown, the sudden sound of footsteps catching you off guard. You look up to find Lord Otto Hightower approaching, his expression warm yet carefully measured, as if he is calculating every word he’s about to say.

“Ah, Lady Y/N,” Otto begins, his tone gentle, though you catch the way his eyes sweep over you with a touch more interest than is typical. “You appear most immersed in your studies. May I ask what has captured your attention today?”

You give him a polite smile, lifting the book to show the embossed cover. “A history of Valyrian customs, my lord. It speaks of the rites and traditions our ancestors held dear.” Your voice holds genuine excitement, your mind already drifting back to the text. Otto, however, is more interested in your smile than in the book.

He clears his throat, trying to lean just slightly closer without appearing improper. “A most fascinating subject, indeed. Perhaps you might enlighten me with some of that knowledge over a walk in the gardens later?”

Before you can even formulate a reply, Viserys appears around the corner, oblivious to the undercurrent in the conversation. “Ah, Otto, Y/N! What a happy coincidence. I was just about to ask Y/N to join me in the Small Council chambers. I thought she might offer some insight.”

Otto’s lips twitch, the friendly mask slipping just a little, though he recovers quickly. “Of course, Your Grace. Her wisdom is always a boon.” He steps back with a courtly bow, but you don’t miss the way his eyes linger on you as Viserys leads you away, completely unaware of the exchange.

The next encounter is by the training yard. Daemon’s laughter rings out as he spars with Ser Harwin Strong, the clash of blades echoing in the brisk morning air. You watch from the sidelines, amusement curving your lips as Daemon lands a particularly cheeky blow against Harwin’s side, earning him a grunt of irritation.

A voice speaks up beside you, smooth and almost conspiratorial. “Your brother always had a flair for the dramatic, didn’t he?”

You glance to your side, finding Otto there, hands clasped behind his back as he observes Daemon with a raised brow. He offers you a small, knowing smile, and you nod, the corner of your mouth quirking up.

“He’s always believed that swordplay is as much about showmanship as it is about skill,” you reply, amusement tinging your words.

Otto seizes the moment, leaning in slightly as if to share a secret. “Perhaps you would prefer a quieter setting, my lady—something more suited to your interests? A stroll through the library, perhaps? I would be most honored to accompany you.”

You blink, caught off guard by the offer, and are about to respond when Daemon’s voice cuts through the air like one of his blades. “Careful, Hightower. My sister’s too good for the likes of you.” He grins wickedly, tossing his practice sword to a waiting squire. “And she doesn’t need a shadow breathing down her neck.”

You glance at Daemon, trying to suppress a sigh. Otto stiffens beside you, his expression momentarily tight, but he forces a gracious chuckle. “A jest as sharp as your sword, Prince Daemon.”

Daemon claps you on the shoulder, ignoring Otto altogether. “Come, Y/N. You’ve seen enough of Hightower’s dour face for one day.”

You glance back at Otto, who offers a strained smile as Daemon drags you away, muttering under his breath about meddling advisors and their hidden motives.

During supper, Otto’s attempts are more subtle, but no less apparent to those who know where to look. As you sit next to Alicent, your brother’s new wife, Otto keeps finding reasons to address you directly, his voice warm and tinged with admiration.

“I trust the evening finds you well, Lady Y/N? The cook prepared your favorite roast, I believe,” Otto remarks, a meaningful gleam in his eye as he gestures to the dish before you.

You murmur your thanks, a little puzzled by his attentiveness but assuming it’s mere politeness. Alicent, however, stiffens beside you, her fork pausing mid-air as she glances sharply between you and her father.

“Father, I did not realize you were so concerned with Y/N’s tastes,” she remarks lightly, though her tone holds a note of warning. Her eyes meet yours, a question in their depths.

Otto only smiles, lifting his goblet. “One must pay attention to the finer details in life, Alicent. It’s what makes one a capable advisor, after all.” He casts a quick, almost shy glance in your direction, and you catch a hint of something earnest behind his carefully constructed facade.

Before you can respond, Viserys claps his hands together, drawing attention back to him. “Ah, yes, the finer details. That reminds me—Y/N, have you considered taking a seat at the council yourself? Your insights are always so valuable.”

Otto’s expression falters, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face as the king unknowingly redirects the conversation away from his attempts at wooing. He sips from his goblet, though his gaze keeps drifting to you throughout the meal, undeterred by the setbacks.

It’s in the gardens, a week later, that he makes another attempt, catching you after your walk with Alicent. As she steps away, leaving you alone among the rosebushes, Otto approaches, brushing a stray leaf from your shoulder with a practiced air.

“Lady Y/N,” he says, his voice lowering as if to make this moment more intimate. “I do hope you’ve been enjoying your time in the Red Keep. It must be lonely without the presence of a companion to share your thoughts with.”

You tilt your head, studying him with a curious smile. “I have my family, Lord Otto, and the company of friends. Though I appreciate your concern.”

For a moment, you see the faintest hint of uncertainty in his eyes, as if he’s weighing whether to speak plainly or continue his subtle dance around the subject. But before he can decide, Daemon strides into the garden, his expression darkening as he spots the two of you together.

“Isn’t there a council meeting you should be attending, Hightower?” Daemon’s tone is pointed, his arm slipping around your shoulders in a gesture that is both protective and possessive. “Or perhaps you’re looking to add ‘gardener’ to your list of titles?”

Otto’s jaw tightens, but he bows with forced politeness. “Prince Daemon, always a pleasure. I shall leave you both to your... conversation.”

As he walks away, his shoulders a little more rigid than before, you can’t help but stifle a laugh, leaning into Daemon’s side. He rolls his eyes but smirks, shaking his head as if the whole ordeal is a great joke.

“What exactly did he think he’d accomplish? Flirting with a dragon in front of me, no less.” He squeezes your shoulder. “You’d best keep an eye on that one, Y/N. The only thing more dangerous than a snake is a lovesick one.”

You chuckle, glancing back to where Otto’s figure disappears around a corner, already plotting his next approach. Though you don’t quite understand what he’s after, you can’t deny that his efforts—though misplaced—are amusing.

And as you return to the keep with Daemon at your side, you can’t help but wonder if Otto Hightower might just be as persistent as he is ambitious.

[bunnyhoney111]

cult-leader!eddie munson x preachers daughter!reader brainrot.

this contains semi-dark content but nothing especially intense, it is filthy though, and way too long for an intro to my new faves but whatevs

*she is so pure, so sheltered, and so so curious when her father finally agrees to let her go to public school her senior year and she sees eddie munson and, in her fathers words, his cult of heathens. they, particularly eddie- the 'leader', weren't unfamiliar to her due to her father's disdain for the ruffians and his frequent sermons about how they were devil worshippers corrupting their town.

*most of her peers make jokes about her being an alien trying to learn to be human, copying the actions of those around her- the way they laugh, smiling to herself in class mimicking chrissy cunninghams toothy grin.

*she is just a girl learning to live amongst people outside of the walls of her fathers small catholic chapel in the outskirts of hawkins.

*she is frequently referred to as "creepy" or a right out sociopath by her peers for her sheltered, quiet, but observant body language- her eyes burning holes in the back of eddie munsons head every lunch period. she is aloof in every way one can be, growing up with no media influence and with no friends outside of her family and a small group of young children she taught in bible study.

*she follows eddie, barefoot and silent, to his dealing spot to watch him interact with his 'clients' from the tree-line. she copies the movements and facials of his female customers, who so clearly entice him.

*she begins to become enamoured with eddie, obsessed even. following behind him just far enough for him not to notice. any chance she could, 10 steps behind. peeking through his trailer windows at night after sneaking out, seeing him touch himself and feeling an unfamiliar pooling of wetness in her white untouched panties, squeezing her hand between her thighs to make it stop. she is so ashamed she confesses her sins.

when they finally came into contact with eachother, he was intrigued by the odd mannerisms and doe-eyes of the girl he'd heard of for years, only seen in passing at school.

he had bumped into her on his way to hellfire after school ended as she was heading toward the bathroom.

"oh shit," he leans down to pick up what he'd caused her to drop, a brown bible embossed with her name and a fountain pen, along with a history textbook, "i'm so sorry, i-"

when his eyes meet her face, it is paler than the rest if her body, her lips parted and eyes wide and unblinking in shock. she'd never heard his voice before then, coming face to face with her last confession. she began to sweat as she hurriedly grabbed the book and pen from him, murmuring out, "i'm sorry, eddie."

she makes a b-line for the door, turning to lean against the brick of the school holding her chest.

he is still stood in the middle of the hallway, feeling delirious after the experience with the preachers daughter.

that night he thinks back to her big eyes and parted lips and her innocence and the stark white dress she had worn and he wanted so badly to corrupt her, so badly to be the first to taint her innocence, to take her in front of his devotees watching the blood of her virtue mixing into the milky white of his climax, reassuring her it will be different next time.

he unbuckles his jeans and pulls the ripped denim and red and black tartan boxers down to his thighs, gripping his windowsill as he fists his cock to the thought of her, he opens his eyes and smirks to himself as he catches the awestruck face of the girl, standing outside his trailer, hand in her underwear, grinding onto her own fingers. he licks his lips as he watches her for a split second before meeting her eyes and shaking his head no- mouthing "stop." she does, removing her hand and tucking her arms firmly at her sides.

he closes his blinds and falls back onto his heels, head tilting towards the ceiling. a string of curses leave his mouth, his seed spilling into his hand as he pictures himself filling her unsullied womb.

send in requests for THEM.

[moniquill]

Question for Readers!

I'm an author and I hate signing my books, because I cannot reliably reproduce a pretty, legible signature.

Would you be happy if you asked an author to sign your copy of a book and they broke out one of these things?

And instead of signing with ink embossed a signature into the page of your choice?

Please reblog for spread

[snek-panini]

As promised, I've got more books to share and they are all fic binds. Have a look at this new one:

This is Among the Stacks by MeinirRhos, and it's one of the few post-s2 Good Omens fics that I've liked enough to bind. It's canon-compliant and full of pining, fluff, angst, and a memory loss plot and I knew before even finishing it that I wanted it on my physical shelves.

I kept it pretty simple on the outside, with Library Summit book cloth and white HTV for the title. Large parts of the fic have to do with libraries and library books, so I thought it would be fun to make it look like a library rebind, something that looks innocuous and blends in to the shelves but it's actually going to be your new fave once you open it up and start reading. I wanted very badly to have the titles hand-written in embossing inks but I couldn't get a clean enough line with the textured cloth, so this handwriting font saved the day.

More photos under the cut; I'm really proud of the typeset for this one!

Top view, with pre-made end bands and a ribbon bookmark. Going with the library rebind aesthetic, I didn't think it ought to have handmade end bands, so these were perfect. Honestly I'm not sure the ribbon bookmark fits the theme, but you can pry that from my cold dead hands. All my books have them and I love them too much to leave it out. The endpapers are cream-colored cardstock, and while they look plain they feel nice. I tried out a new-to-me corner style, the library corner, where you don't trim off the excess material at the turn-in. It's supposed to be more durable than other styles and is common in rebinds. Library Summit is stiffer than most of the other book cloth I've worked with, so it was a little challenging to get it to lay flat while drying, and it's a bit bulkier than I'm used to, but it's perfect for the theming. Unrelatedly, it also holds a hinge crease really well.

Title page. I could not be more pleased with this title page design. I showed it to my husband after I finished the text block but before I had the cover on it, and he didn't realize at first that it was one of mine. I have cracked the code of professional title pages. The graphics were, at the time I put this together, available for free on rawpixel. I'm in love with it. It is sexy as hell and it will never be equaled.

Couple more interiors. The chapter header font is called Book Ends and I found it on DaFont. You add in the little plants and stuff with symbols. I haven't done much with custom fonts until this batch of fics, and in some of the others I've got in the pipeline I went a little nuts with them, but I think this one's my favorite for how well it fits the story. I also started experimenting with formatting text messages in this fic, and I'm very pleased with how those came out as well. The Renegade Bindery discord has resources on this kind of formatting, so check them out if you haven't already. I'd never have gotten them so professional-looking otherwise.

And that's it for this bind! I started working on it back in April and I'm thrilled to finally be able to show off the finished product. Thanks @rhosmeinir (Hi! It's Amberfly from Ao3!) for giving me permission to bind it nearly six months ago.

[melis-writes]

(2024) My current collection of Al Pacino Merch! ❤️

You can check out my Godfather merch collection here!

I adore the Taschen "Movie Icons" books and was so lucky to be able to get my hands on not only Al's, but Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro as well. 🥺❤️ I bought these from an online used bookstore in Turkey from their previous owners in 2021.

I've bought all of my movie posters in this post from local online retailers in Turkey.

My prized Michael Corleone 1:6 figurine! 🥺🖤 I got him from Aliexpress, but he certainly did not look like this because his face/head was different and he was wearing a blue suit (that he never wore in any movie ever). If I didn't modify Michael, he would have been about $350 CAD or so. He looked like this before:

I put together about $100 CAD of modifications on him to get a new had, new hands and a new suit and he looks like this now!

My Scarface Collectors Edition! I absolutely love the crocodile skin embossing on the box.

Everything is just as visual and luxurious inside!

I have Al on some of my Godfather phone cases as well!

The Films of Al Pacino is probably one of the rarest books I have on Al with such incredibly, full glossy photos inside. I got a remaining copy off of Amazon (Canada).

A Tony Montana funko because why not?! 🥺 I bought this off of a private seller on Ebay.

I also have the Scarface "the world is yours" statue figurine as well! This was off Temu actually lmfao.

Some amazing and gorgeous stickers of Al himself ❤️

Al as Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II as a phone case. 🤭

Hands down my favourite movie poster of The Godfather Part II.

A custom made Al Pacino mug amidst so much more Al Pacino... This was created and gifted to me in 2021 by my best friend.

From left to right, top to bottom I got these amazing shirts in/at: Aliexpress in 2022, La Maison Simons (Canada) in 2023, and the last two Tony Montana shirts from Spencer's in 2024!

And last but not least, the most recent and relevant is Al's autobiography, Sonny Boy, that I got on the date of release!

Will reblog with any new additions coming forward! 🤭❤️

[custombookembosser]

Custom Book Embosser Designer Uses the Latest Technology to Prepare Your Preferred Embossed Design!

Books are special items that hold stories, knowledge they hold memories too. They come in many forms such as novels, textbooks and picture books. People love to read books because they can take us on adventures and teach us new things also. But books can be even more special when they have a personal touch and that is where embossing comes in. Embossing is a process that creates a raised design or text on the surface of paper. This means that when you touch the embossed area you can feel the design. It makes the book look unique and adds a nice and also a professional touch.

The time has come to go for embossing

Many people use embossing to personalize their books or even to mark them as their own. For example you might want to emboss your name on the cover of your favorite book to show that it belongs to you. You can get your first custom book embosser designer with the help of the online store. You can also use embossing for gifts. If you are giving a book to someone special by embossing their name or a meaningful quote on it can make the gift even more thoughtful. This shows that you put extra effort into the gift and also care about the person receiving it. Embossing can turn a simple book into a respected reminder.

They use proper dies to ensure crisp and clear impressions

This is the best custom embosser manufacturer you can find now! They specialize in creating high quality embossers that allow you to add a unique touch to your books. Their goal is to provide you with a great product that meets your needs and also exceeds your expectations. Their custom embossers are designed with care and attention to detail. They use only the best materials to ensure that each embosser is durable and reliable. The dies which create the raised designs are perfectly crafted from high quality materials to ensure crisp and clear impressions.

[vawifey]

Happy birthday to my favorite bookworm

Birthday headcannons

- Ellis Loves making jewelry aside from running the bookstore so for Ellis‘s birthday gem took them to an antique store because they knew that Ellis loved making rings out of really cool old spoons

- Gem made them a custom chess board

- Ellis’s grandma crocheted them, the coziest blanket

- Cyril got Ellis a personalized book embosser and And a set of bookish coffee mugs

- I feel like Ellis and gem like to communicate by writing in the books that they’re currently reading like they would have full conversations in the book margins. (I don’t know if this makes sense, but I feel like this is literally them.)

- Gem made ellis a scrapbook of their relationship

- Gem planned a Halloween movie night in the backyard with matching pj’s as a birthday date

- Gem made ellis a playlist

[physalian]

IngramSpark: Good or Nah?

I decided to work with them last minute to set my book up for success, and, in case they screwed me over, I could hate them in a properly informed manner.

So!

IngramSpark (IGS) vs. Amazon (KDP) so far: A detailed comparison.

Spoiler Alert: FUCK INGRAMSPARK

Alrighty these are two proof copies (author copies) of the exact same book made with the exact same PDFs. IGS is on the left in all pics.

Stuff to note:

The IGS copy is slightly greener, the purple is less vibrant. KDP made the exact colors I painted this with in photoshop.

The KDP book is slightly thicker and while the spine print is slightly off center, the front cover is perfectly centered. Compare both of the lower moons on the right side and it's very obvious that IGS cut theirs incorrectly. It's cut incorrectly because their paper is thinner, thus needing a slightly narrower print PDF (which isn't something they would tell you).

KDP is slightly thicker because they used thicker paper. Theirs is less polished creme, you can feel more of a grain of the pages, but because they're thicker, they're less transparent. I can read straight through to not only the back of the title page, but straight onto the next piece of paper for the IGS copy, and theirs cost more to print.

KDP shipped in lighter packaging, which meant my copy got a little banged up as opposed to the cardboard coffin the IGS book was in. Pick your poison.

KDP

PROS

A breeze to work with in most areas. I did not need to use customer service, so I can’t comment on that, but I’ve heard it’s superior to IGS in every way. They do have a community chat that I have used when confused (more below) and pages upon pages of how-to resources.

Simple user interface, very easy to click through all the set-up menus and not once did it freeze or crash on me (more below).

Did not use their formatter or cover generator, I used Adobe and did my own so I can’t comment on their quality.

Their “print previewer” was fantastic. I could click through the whole book and they explained very thoroughly where some issues were and what I should look out for and they let me use my own files without issue instead of having to build them in the platform.

Their royalty rate is the best you can get in this industry, because they’re not selling to anyone but themselves so there’s no middle man taking a cut of the profit.

Print quality of the book itself is fantastic. Only thing I miss is the ability to emboss, but no print-on-demand company does that as far as I’m aware. The colors were an exact match to my design in Adobe, I have no complaints.

Instant reports and near-live report refreshes for ebooks. Print copies don’t register on reports until the book ships, but Amazon prints and ships within ~2 days.

Because it’s Amazon, even though proof copies aren’t applicable with Prime, my copy still got here in 5 days including print time. My print copy totaled the print cost plus $3 in standard shipping that I could have rushed.

It did get a little banged up on the bottom but I think that was during shipping not at the printing press.

If you’re really strapped for cash, they do offer free ISBNs *but these are KDP only ISBNs, you don’t own them, and they are non transferable between vendors and POD companies. Bite the bullet and just save up for your own ISBNs and buy them in bulk if you can and you plan on publishing at least 2 books in your lifetime (like a paperback and hardcover of the same book, even).

After I submitted my ebook for preorder, I kept finding little details to fix and lines I wasn’t happy with that got nixed at the 11th hour. Updating this was seamless and free and the updated versions were processed within 6 hours or so. Amazon did not lock in the files to the date the preorders were set like IngramSpark would have.

CONS

They still don’t have paperback preorder, but they do have a feature where you can submit for a future release, which is just giving your files over to go live on a set date. Thing is: When you get to the end of the setup, there’s a button that says something like “submit for publication” which does not actually mean “move your publication date to right now” like I thought. So I missed my paperback date by 2 days.

Their proof copy has that annoying grey “Not for Resale” stripe across the cover so it looks wonky in marketing images.

They have a “cover art size calculator” feature, which did not line up with the actual file size I needed come submission time, off by a few millimeters. Which meant resizing in Photoshop and it was incredibly annoying and tedious.

Upon finally hitting the “publish” button Amazon flagged my book and told me to fix the highlighted errors. Well there were no highlighted errors, and said error(s) could be anywhere across four pages of details. I had to consult the community notes to figure out what they were talking about (it was an ISBN issue) which was quite annoying.

IGS

PROS

Well-known as the best print-on-demand (POD) company with the widest reach, including Amazon, for expanded distribution. (NOT IN MY EXPERIENCE)

Also well-known as the highest quality self-publish paperback, that still doesn’t do embossing. (NOT IN MY EXPERIENCE)

They do paperback preorders (which I did not participate in).

Integrates flawlessly with libraries and retailers that Amazon won’t do (which is about its only claim to superiority). My book was searchable on Barnes & Noble within 48 hours.

IGS, like KDP, has free ISBNs (US only), with the exact same non-transferable issue. However, because they integrate across all sellers, Amazon included, if you only intend to work with them, you’ve reached every market anyway.

CONS

Their royalty rate sucks ass. I had to price my book $1 higher through IGS because I was literally at a deficit with all the printing costs and vendor discounts (so if you want my book for slightly cheaper, buy it through Amazon). Through IGS, I think I’m making about $1 in royalties, when all is said and done. And I’ve heard, shockingly, that that’s pretty good.

I didn’t try to use their customer service because I know it’s notoriously terrible. But it would have been helpful when their website crashed.

Their website crashed on me three times when trying to upload my files. Before it crashed, their “submit files” button simply did not work, so I had to go the roundabout way through their formatter and cover wizard (which I didn’t like) which then told me my 300DPI cover art was too small. The exact same file I submitted and had in my hands at perfect resolution to Amazon. It took almost 2 hours of running around in circles on their site to essentially start from scratch to get this up and running—and I did all of this with polished files from the get go because I knew revisions would be tedious. Can’t imagine the hassle if you aren’t ready to go immediately (this is why I didn't do a preorder with them).

I have heard that if you make changes to your files, they don’t go into effect until the next month, meaning if you have typos, and anyone buys your book before the next calendar month despite you fixing them in the system, that person is still buying the old version. I have also heard that generating reports is not seamless. After 60 days, revisions also cost you $25 a pop (KDP is free).

If you submit pre-made PDFs for your manuscript and cover (as in, you don’t format or generate them within their system) they do not have an instant previewer. Mine took 48 hours to deliver a link, when that shit should be automated and instantaneous and should allow me to use my own files.

IGS does not have Amazon’s monopoly on shipping, so to get my book here at all quickly, it cost me almost $20, rush fees applied for only 1 day faster than Amazon did. “Quickly,” being I ordered the proof on the 24th, and it won’t get here until the 28th. Meaning, that if you’re not paying rush fees, you’d have to wait longer.

They can be quite confusing with revisions during the preorder process. Per their website, they can begin printing your book “generally” 30 days before go-live. Which means someone who preordered your book on the 3rd gets the version of the book that was available on the 3rd, even if you update it on the 5th, because they print those immediately, even if the book’s official release date of the 30th hasn’t passed. You’d pretty much have to be completely done with revisions before setting up for preorder with them to be absolutely sure, which means wasted time. I don’t know why they don’t just queue up the books to be printed on a hard deadline a few days before release.

So. While I hate that Amazon has a monopoly, about the only thing IGS has going for it is their expanded distribution when everything about their business, from their platform to their user experience to the actual quality of books is at best dead even with KDP, but in my experience with my best foot forward, IGS annoyingly inferior.

I don’t think they’ll remain the “best POD company” for very much longer. I did not do hardcover for ENNS as of this post so I can’t comment on either service’s print quality, only what I’ve seen in other reviews. Some people like the jacket-less print-on-the-cardboard look (Amazon), some people (me) like the jacket, if only so I can use it as a bookmark.

*I wrote the above paragraphs before getting my proof copy from IGS and fucking hell they're not even competent at printing

It is also a massive waste of paper and shipping resources to have to print multiple versions of proof copies fixing errors outside of my control. My proof copy from KDP is perfect. IGS? Nope! But they wouldn't let me properly preview it so I had no idea this would happen.

Even as a consumer who might hate the idea of giving Amazon more money, there’s an argument to consider: I totally understand the desire to keep brick and mortar stores afloat and I don’t want Amazon’s monopoly on the market to grow even larger. However, Amazon makes sure that you’re making more than pocket change on your book, unless you jack up the prices for readers on the back end so the whole thing costs more all the way down the pipeline. I refused to do this.

That deficit that forced me to price ENNS even $1 higher than Amazon really bothers me with IngramSpark. That deficit exists because of a higher print cost and a 55% discount given to vendors so they can still make their cut of profit from stocking your book. IngramSpark had me sit through a whole video saying “if you don’t do this no one will stock your book” while saying you could go as low as 54% but that might scare off vendors.

In essence, at this time, KDP makes sure that you, the creator, make money. IGS makes sure that they and the businesses selling your book for you make money. I didn’t do any of this for profit, but it does hurt seeing all your hard work, possibly years of effort, have a royalty of $0.87.

So, yeah, is IngramSpark worth it?

I don’t yet know what their reach will amount to. It’s a dream of mine to see my book on a bookstore shelf, but signing up with IGS does not guarantee you sales, it just guarantees you the best chance possible at reaching potential buyers. But at the moment, all it looks like to me is fees, a bad UI, cheap printing, arrogance from perceived superiority in the market, and a business built boldly in favor of its own profits.

Amazon’s a shady-ass corporation, but I’m going to have to say they’re the better bet. At the very least, for your first book when you don’t have an audience and if making a profit is important to you.

—

I did not try to use any other POD like Draft 2 Digital or Barnes & Noble Press, as I already have KDP and IGS is the best platform to integrate with KDP.

See here for the cost breakdown of my debut novel from draft to publication.

[deebrisbyfish]

On the weekend of April 26th, I'll be in Chicago for the annual C2E2 convention setting up at the NATIONAL CARTOONISTS SOCIETY booth! This will be my first time in Chicago, and I am super excited! I will, of course, have copies of the Finding Dee trade paperbacks and more with me, but I wanted to do something... special for the show. And I wanted to have something with a sketch cover, as I love those. As such, I came up with THIS!!! It's a new, 40-page, FULL COLOR comic collecting all of the homages and parodies I've done over the last few years such as this strip homaging Jim Davis' GARFIELD! (Seen here in COLOR for the book for the first time! Woot!) And for the cover, I wanted it to be an homage onto itself, and so did it goofing on the old "Marvel Masterworks" covers that I used to love back in the late 80s. They had covers similar to this, with a really cool, embossed, gold-foil border around images of the classic covers of the comics collected within. For THIS, it seemed like the PERFECT way to frame a blank area for custom sketches! For NOW, this book will be exclusive to my convention and/or in-store appearances, but if there's a demand, it may pop up in other stuff later. I'm really happy with how it came out, and if you're gonna be in Chicago this April, I hope to see you at the show!

[thethirdromana]

Christmas gift ideas for classic literature lovers

Last year, I did a list of gift ideas for Dracula Daily fans. This year - because I'm procrastinating on Christmas shopping for my actual friends and family - I thought I might expand that a little.

A book token

It's a classic choice for a reason.

Dracula manuscript print

Give someone the gift of having Bram Stoker's terrible scruffy handwriting on their wall.

The World Of... literary jigsaw puzzle

There are heaps of these and they're fantastically detailed.

Penguin tote bags

They also do mugs in the same style.

Lithograph literary scarf

Keep their neck warm and give them something to read.

Custom book stamp or embosser

Etsy has thousands of options for these.

Classic books monthly subscription

To fill in the gaps on the things they haven't read yet.

[mrprettywhenhecries]

all in [trust fund cole/oc]

01. Making Waves

Trust Fund Cole ✘ Win Lewis (ofc)

♠︎ w.c. 3.5k words ♦︎ tags/warning(s). canon x oc pairing, f!oc, alcohol, smoking, nothing much this chapter, it’s pretty tame ♣︎ a/n. This is super self indulgent and I’m sure it’ll be pretty niche, but hopefully enjoyable for a handful of others besides myself lol. I’ve just had Cole in my head since watching Molly’s game, and one of my favourite things about minor characters is fleshing them out and making them my own while still feeling true to the crumbs canon gave us. ♥︎ Comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated! ❤️

“Win Lewis, right?”

At the sound of her name, Win looked up from the glass she’d been polishing.  A woman in a glittering black dress stood before her, her long red hair cascading in sleek waves over her shoulder and Win was sure she would’ve remembered her had she seen her before.

“That’s me, what can I do for you?” she asked, the redhead’s calculating gaze leaving Win feeling weighed and measured.

“My name is Molly Bloom,” the woman said, pulling a card from her clutch and sliding it across the bar, “and I’m putting together an exclusive high stakes weekly poker game.”

Win frowned in confusion.  “I’m afraid I don’t follow.  I don’t really know anything about poker.”

Molly’s lips twitched in amusement.  “I’m recruiting only the best, most qualified team of servers, dealers, and bartenders, which brings me to you.”

“I don’t know if I would call myself one of the best,” Win replied slowly, looking over Molly’s card, her eyes flicking back up to her face, meeting her level gaze.  “But I’m pretty damn good.”

Molly wanted her first New York poker game to make waves.  Apparently she wanted to rub her new success in someone’s face back in L.A., but Win didn’t know much about that.  When she arrived at the Plaza a half hour before the game was to begin, she had no idea what exactly she was walking into.

The suite Molly had booked was the definition of opulence.  Candles flickered in decorative glass votives scattered throughout the space, their warm rich scent permeated the air — a scent which Win learned later had been specifically designed to alleviate anxiety and make players more likely to place higher bets, throwing caution to the wind.  Elegant chairs and couches were arranged around the edges of the room, decorated with plush, gold embroidered throw pillows and set next to polished end tables with lamps that illuminated the room in a warm golden light.

The dark mahogany bar was stocked with the highest quality liquor money could buy, along with an array of mixers and garnishes for Win to mix any drink the players might ask for, but it was the pristine, green felted oval poker table in the center of the room that drew the eye.  Around it, spaced exactly twelve inches apart were ten high backed chairs.  Molly had even had gold embossed custom cards and chips made.  It seemed she really knew what she was doing.  

Before the players arrived, she gathered the staff, laying out the rules and reminding everyone of their duties and expectations for the night, as well as making sure everyone was informed of each player’s name, for a more intimate experience.

Win took her spot behind the bar, smoothing her hands over her sleek black cocktail dress to keep from fidgeting and wishing she had something a little flashier to wear, feeling a little plain next to some of the other women Molly had recruited, all gorgeous, and all in low cut glamorous gowns.

“Alright, show time,” Molly announced, crossing the room to throw open the double doors to admit the players waiting outside.

The group of men sauntered into the room, chatting amongst themselves.  Several smiled and nodded to Win and the other servers, while others paid them no mind, already focused on the game ahead as they took their seats.  But there was one that stood out from the rest of the group, younger than the others, his appearance meticulously crafted to give off a devil may care nonchalance with his wave of chestnut hair pushed effortlessly out of his face, and his silver dress shirt beneath his open blazer unbuttoned just far enough to show a glimpse of dark chest hair.  

On Molly’s list of players for the evening, he’d been marked as ‘Trust Fund Cole’, and the moniker fit, though Win wondered if he was aware of it.

As he passed, his eyes caught hers and a smirk curved his lips as his gaze lingered appraisingly.

Win kept her expression as smooth as possible, but her eyes followed him to the table, his chair the closest to the bar.  From what she could tell, he appeared to be in his mid-twenties, about the same age as her, probably Ivy league educated, and destined to inherit daddy’s millions one day.  Despite his good looks, he was just another spoiled rich boy, playing with the money he never had to work for.

Pushing down the wave of contempt at the thought, Win began preparing the players’ drinks as the servers returned with their orders, her muscle memory taking over and sweeping away the remainder of her nerves.  Most of the orders were merely liquor neat or over ice, with the occasional martini or old fashioned thrown in. 

As she was busy shaking the final cocktail, she noticed Cole’s drink of choice had been the scotch on the rocks she’d poured second.  He nodded to the server as she placed the glass at his elbow and he laid a chip on her serving tray by way of tip.

The first game began and Win leaned against the bar to watch.  She wasn’t overly familiar with the ins and outs of poker, but she was a quick study, and soon had a loose understanding of the rules and which hands were better to have.  But it was the players themselves she found the most fascinating, studying each of them to determine their tells, if they had any.

Though her eyes traveled the room, they kept returning to one player in particular; Cole’s striking profile entirely too distracting.  Each time she caught herself staring, tracing the sharp slant of his nose or the square curve of his jaw, she quickly tore her gaze away, though it would inevitably return.

It was during a break between games, while the dealers were switching places, that Win felt eyes on her, finding Cole watching her, a thoughtful expression on his face.  When their eyes met, his lips twitched and he lifted his empty glass, giving it a small shake, beckoning her over.

“I got it,” Win murmured to the server lounging at the far end of the bar as she moved to stand.

“Can I get a refill, please?  Scotch on the rocks,” Cole said, handing her the glass.

“I remember,” Win murmured, heading back to the bar to refresh his drink.

As he waited, Cole rubbed idly at his lips, hazel eyes following her every movement, and when she returned, carrying his drink on a small round tray, he smiled up at her as he took it, placing an orange chip in her hand, their fingers brushing for a brief second before he lifted his drink to his lips, watching her over the rim of his glass as he took a sip, his adam’s apple bobbing slowly.

“Thanks,” he murmured, holding Win’s gaze a moment longer and she gave herself a small shake, her brows climbing as she realized he’d given her a thousand dollar chip.

“My pleasure,” she breathed, quickly schooling her expression before hurrying back to the bar, wondering how much he’d given the other girl – though, at a quarter million buy in, a grand was probably pennies to him.

One of the other girls Molly had brought on, sidled closer, giving Win a look she didn’t quite care for.

“You know, when I approached him about joining the game, he seemed more interested in the chance to meet attractive women here than playing,” she murmured, nodding toward Cole, who had just called, leaning in to throw a couple red chips in.

When Win didn’t respond, the woman gave her long golden hair a toss, annoyance leaching into her smooth features.  “Just don’t forget that players are off limits.”

Win flashed the girl a tight smile that only lasted a moment before it slipped away, not appreciating the passive aggressive warning behind her words.

“I’m aware.  Besides, spoiled rich boys aren’t exactly my type.”

The other woman rolled her eyes, pushing away from the bar and Win was glad to see her go.

A little after four hours in, halfway through Win’s shift, they convened for a short break, giving the players a chance to stretch their legs and take care of any business they needed to see to.

Win slipped out to the balcony for a smoke, pulling a slender black cigarette from her bronze cigarette case and placing it between her lips as she snapped the case shut.

“Need a light?”

Startled, she spun toward the voice, only to find Cole leaning against the railing next to her, lighter already in hand.

“Thanks,” she murmured, her eyes flicking from the outstretched lighter to his face before leaning toward the small flickering flame, taking a drag as the end of her cigarette burned to life.  Pulling back, she blew the stream of clove scented smoke away while Cole lit his own cigarette and pocketed the lighter.

“I’m Cole, by the way,” he said, offering her his hand.

Win stared at it for a moment before taking it, noting how soft it was, as if he’d never had to work with his hands a day in his life.

“I know,” she said, a hint of a smile ghosting over her lips and Cole’s brows raised before furrowing in thought.

“Have we met before?  I’m sure I would’ve remembered a girl like you,” he insisted and Win let out a soft snort.

“No, Molly had us all memorize the names of each of player tonight,” she explained.

Cole nodded.  “Makes sense,” he mused, watching Win with interested.  “Though, I’m afraid that puts me at a disadvantage, and I don’t like that.”

“And how’s that?”

“You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

Win briefly considered dodging the question just to spite him, but she figured that might land her in trouble if he complained to Molly about her attitude.

“It’s Win,” she said, realizing her hand was still in his, grateful for the cover of darkness that hid the flush that rose to her face.

“Win,” he echoed, finally releasing her hand and she pulled back, quickly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her palm still tingling from his touch.  

“Sounds like what I’d like to do tonight,” he chuckled, grinning as he brought his cigarette back to his lips, watching her as his cherry burned brighter.  “Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight,” he murmured, smoke curling from his lips.

“I hope you mean at poker,” Win replied, throwing him a wry look at the suggestion behind his words and Cole held his hands up, a boyish grin splitting his face.

“Of course, what else would I mean?”

Win turned back to the railing, rolling her eyes skyward as she took one last drag on her cigarette before snubbing it out on the crystal ash tray by her elbow.

“What time do you get off?” Cole asked, flicking the rest of his spent cigarette over the side of the balcony.

“Why, so you can get lucky?”  Win asked, giving him a side eye, a note of scorn in her voice.

“No,” Cole answered quickly, running a hand through his hair.  “Thought we could get a drink.  Talk.  That’s all,” he insisted, lifting his shoulder in a shrug, a look of apprehension crossing his face.

Win studied him.  At first glance he was certainly charming, seemingly cool and collected, but there was still a boyish innocence there, hidden beneath the manicured surface, trying to be something he wasn’t.  “I’m not supposed to fraternize with players.  Molly’s rule,” she said, surprised at the pang of regret that twisted her gut.

“But–!” Cole spluttered, quickly composing himself, adjusting his collar.  “It’s just one harmless drink.  Molly doesn’t have to know.”

Win chewed her lip, glancing back toward the door, weighing the risk.  “Not that it’s any of your business, but my shift ends at three,” she said, grabbing her cigarette case and turning to head back inside, giving him a pointed look over her shoulder. “Three, huh?” Cole murmured, checking the time on his watch, a grin stretching his face.  “I’ll meet you at the hotel bar.”

Win didn’t respond, heading back to her spot behind the bar and taking a sip from her water glass, smoothing her expression as the dealer called the players to return to the table.

Shortly before three, Cole checked his watch and rapped his knuckles against the table.  “Think I’m gunna cash out and call it a night, fellas,” he said, pushing his chair back and standing to stretch.  

He’d won a fair amount of money despite losing some, but there would be other games.  “I’ll see you gentlemen next week,” he said, grabbing his suit coat from the back of his chair and shrugging it on.

“See you next week, Cole.  Thank you for playing,” Molly said, giving him a wave as he headed for the door.

He nodded to her, his eyes slipping to Win for a moment as he paused by the door before pushing it open and stepping into the hallway and out of sight. 

A couple other men got up to leave, calling it a night as well, as the dealers switched places and new staff came in to relieve Win and the others.

“Stop by my apartment sometime tomorrow and I’ll have your checks,” Molly said.

Win nodded, gathering her things and slipping out behind the other girls, looking forward to getting out of her dress and heels once she got home.

Opting to take the next elevator, she checked her phone as she waited, letting out a relieved sigh when the shiny elevator doors slid open and she had the elevator car to herself.  Letting her eyes slip shut, she leaned against the wall as she descended.  When the door opened with a ding, she opened her eyes and stepped out, pausing at the sight of the hotel lounge off to her left.

She knew she should keep straight, head to the front doors and catch a cab home.  Her feet ached and her stomach rumbled hollowly, besides, Molly had been clear with her rules.

But something tugged at her, curiosity, maybe.  Or maybe she just wanted a drink.  At least, that’s what she told herself as she found herself heading to the lounge.

Cole sat at the bar, a drink sitting in front of him.  He looked up as Win took the stool next to him.

“I was half expecting you not to show,” he said, waving the bartender over.  At this hour, there weren’t many others in the lounge, but it wasn’t called the city that never slept for no reason.

“I was half planning on not coming,” Win said wryly as she reached down to massage her sore ankles.

Cole wore a smug smirk as he looked her up and down.  “What’s your poison?” he asked and Win straightened.

“Whiskey cola,” she answered and Cole turned back to the bartender.

“Whisky cola for the lady.”

The bartender nodded and turned to make her drink, sliding it in front of her on a tiny napkin.  Win murmured her thanks and picked it up, swirling the dark fizzing liquid in her glass before taking a sip.

“So, tell me about yourself,” Cole prompted, taking a sip of the amber liquid from his glass – Win wondering briefly if he was still drinking scotch or if he’d switched it up.

“Like what?”

“Like… what do you do when you’re not bartending?” Cole said with a shrug.

Win chewed her lip, trying to decide how much she wanted to tell him.  “Oh, you know, hang out with friends, binge watch Netflix, play guitar sometimes,” she said, taking a drink and setting her glass back down, the ice clinking against the glass.  “Nothing near as exciting as playing high stakes poker with a bunch of millionaires,” she joked dryly.

Cole grinned, looking rather pleased with himself.  “I suppose you could say my life’s pretty exciting,” he boasted, leaning back in the high backed stool, threading his fingers together behind his head.  “Just got another new car, thinking about taking it for a spin when my family heads down to the Vinyard this summer, Martha’s Vinyard, that is,” he clarified with a smirk. 

“Oh yeah?  And how many does that make your total?” 

“Cars?  Three now, but I’ve picked out the fourth, just trying to decide which colour I want,” Cole answered, his voice dripping pride, completely oblivious to the sarcasm in Win’s tone.  “Oh, and you should see my dad’s new boat.  It’s top of the line in luxury.  A real beaut–”

“Is that supposed to impress me?” Win asked, cutting him off.

Cole gaped at her, her response taking him off guard.  “Well… yeah.  Doesn’t it?”

“What?  Not used to that reaction?” Win asked, letting out a dry laugh at the confused look on his face.  “So, I’m curious,” she said, not giving him time to respond.

“Yeah?” he prompted, taking a sip, his eyes trained on Win, definitely not pouting, his ego definitely not bruised.

“You clearly already have more money than you could ever need.  What’s the point in gambling?  Especially if you lose, seems like a waste,” she muttered, thinking about how much even a fraction of that money could make such a difference in her life.

Cole’s lips twitched.  “Well, it’s not really about the money,” he replied, as if that were obvious.  “It’s about the thrill, the risk.  It’s about being the best at the table.”

“Mmm,” Win hummed sarcastically.  “So, you’re just a bored little rich boy?”

“Hey now!” Cole exclaimed lightly, his mouth falling open in mock offense.  “There’s more to me than that!”

“Oh?  Like what?” Win asked, amusement dancing in her stormy grey eyes.

“I could show you,” Cole replied, dropping his voice and leaning in.  “If you let me.”

Win wet her lips, the sweet taste of whiskey still on them.  “And what makes you think I want that?” she asked, her eyes searching his.

“On please, you couldn’t take your eyes off me all night.  Don’t try to deny it, sweetheart.”

Win didn’t answer, merely bringing her glass to her lips, downing the rest of the drink and setting the empty glass on the bar with a soft thunk.  She let the silence stretch, deciding not to acknowledge Cole’s words, knowing he was right, she couldn’t deny it.

Holding his gaze, her lips stretched into a serene smile.  “Thanks for the drink,” she said, slipping off the bar stool and pulling on her coat, shaking out her short white-blonde hair.

Cole gaped after her.  “Wait!  Can I see you again?” he exclaimed, throwing back the rest of his drink and slapping a bill on the bar before hurrying after her into the lobby.

Win paused with her hands on the front door, just shy of pushing it open, and turned to look at him, amusement flashing in her grey eyes.  “I’ll see you at next week’s game,” she said, relishing the expression on his face–that incredulous half grin–as she pushed the door open to hail a cab.

“That’s not what I meant!” Cole called after her, stepping out onto the sidewalk behind her, but she merely smiled at him as she slipped into the backseat of the waiting cab, leaving him wanting more.

Watching the cab pull away from the curb and disappear into traffic, Cole shook his head.

Guess he was coming to the next game after all.

@whimsicalwadewinstonwilson @super-unpredictable98 @sailorskunk @rattkween86