Two years ago in the middle of a triple project to design a logo for The Classical Scholar, expand my classical education website for homeschoolers, and create the cover of my first book, Trivium Mastery: The Intersection of Three Roads, my graphic designer disappeared. I have no idea why, but he just stopped answering my emails. I guess he finally had enough of me and my requests for revisions.
Anyway, if he had problems relating to me, I also had problems communicating with him. He was temperamental, about his artistic abilities, and he wouldn’t provide another image even though I was never happy with the child all alone in the middle of an asphalt road. My publisher was waiting for the cover, and I decided to release the initial version to the public even though I cringed every time I looked at that cover and imagined a semi-trailer truck barrelling down on that poor little girl! Maybe some of you feel the same way when you pick up my book. What good homeschool parent would allow their little kid out in the middle of the road all by herself? But my designer wasn’t a parent, and I guess he just didn’t understand my concerns or what ideas I wanted to convey on the cover.
So I caved to the immediate pressure and released the book, but I began the search for a new relationship with a graphic artist and web designer who knew how to listen and convert my dreams for this website and Trivium Mastery into a reality. This summer after a year of browsing portfolios and interviewing candidates, I encountered James Dalman, and I knew immediately that this appointment was of divine origin. James has just completed the new covers for both Trivium Mastery and Beyond Trivium Mastery (coming Spring 2011). I am delighted with his work, and I know that you will agree with me. Suggesting a wholesome, natural journey forward on the path, James’ book cover captures the essence of the big ideas that I want you to take away from my content: freedom, relaxation, moving at your own pace, discovery, and permission to explore. I just love it!
Let me introduce you to my friend, James Dalman. A consultant and speaker on entrepreneurship, branding, and digital media, James is CEO of two companies, Branding Shed and WP Design Coach. His expertise is in branding, design, and marketing for small businesses and non-profits.
James has been married to his wife Donetta for 19 years and they have two teenage children, Kayla and Tyler, that they have homeschooled for 11 years. They are fully devoted followers of Christ who attend and serve at LifeChurch.tv in Yukon, Oklahoma. James has also served in full-time ministry as a youth pastor and speaker.
The Dalmans are investing in the homeschool community by launching HS Digital Media – a website that teaches parents and students the value of digital media and computer technology as well as how to use it.
If you would like to hire or contact James about any projects you need help with, please feel free to visit his personal website at www.jamesdalman.com for all of his contact information. You’ll love working with James!
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James has also completely overhauled my website, adding those components that failed to materialize in the first design, like a page for Online High School Courses, Parent Workshops, other homeschool teaching resources. He will be launching the new design in the next few days, and I can’t wait to hear your reaction.
Diane,
Have you considered sponsoring a Yahoo Discussion Group or a forum on your website so that those of us like-minded homeschoolers may share and support each other with your approach to a classical education? I think that would be a great resource for many of us.
Hi Cindy,
A forum is on my future wish list, but right now with the kids both still home, I don’t have the time to moderate a forum in a timely manner. And I can’t afford to hire someone to moderate it, so it will have to wait for a while. One thing that I am seriously mulling over is a regular conference call to take questions and do a little bit of parent continuing ed. Does that sound like it might appeal? It would only take a limited amount of time to do a regular call, plus it would be fun to chat with everyone! What do you think? If you like the idea, when do you think would be a good time to chat?
I’d love the idea of a regular conference call (several questions running through my brain right now) but I’m not sure how it would work for me. I’m in New Zealand so the time difference is an issue, not to mention the technology (or lack thereof inmy case). Great idea, though.
That would be hard for me to do. Since I am working full time now, and I am on Pacific time, by the time I would be able to chat in the evening, everyone else would be in bed!
Sometimes, if it doesn’t last too long, I could do it during the day – like maybe during my lunch hour (12-1 PST). I must say though, that I am a bit shy about phone chats compared to sitting down and reading/sending emails or forum posts! 
Diane, is Trivium Mastery revised, or does it just have a new cover? I don’t want to order the old version if the new has been improved. Thanks!
Hi Colleen,
The inside text is essentially the same. I changed the name of the sequel to “Beyond Trivium Mastery” (part 1, chapter 35) and a few other tiny details that aren’t significant in terms of content. The revised edition should be available through online retailers soon. Blessings!
I LOVE the new cover. And I am SO THRILLED to read your comments about the original one. I hadn’t been able to put into words what I didn’t like about the book… and what it really boiled down to was that I felt a bit panicked every time I picked it up. It was that cover… I just didn’t know it.
I have to confess after purchasing the book, I read a few chapters, and I just felt uncomfortable, which made me crazy. I agree with what I was reading, so that wasn’t it. I finally put the book away. I pulled it out just two days ago, convinced I was going to force myself to read it.
Now that I know why I tense up when I pick up the book, I think I can stop subconsciously fearing for that child’s safety and just read.
So thank you…
If it doesn’t work, I’m getting a book jacket of some kind. Or ripping off the cover. LOL!
Debra,
Send me an email with your snail mail address (diane@classicalscholar.com), and I’ll send you a complimentary book with the new cover so that you can read it without tensing up! I’m SO glad for the update…I just can’t wait until amazon replaces the photo!
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