I’m learning that success is not a place, but every step leading to your idea of a place.

On Saturday, I sent off two proof copies of Eliana-Who-Sees-Us along with a marketing plan, bio, photo, etc. to a book festival I hope to take part in later this year. Fingers crossed that I get in!

I had planned to do plain white covers on the proofs – also known as “ARCs,” for advanced reader copies. Books are typically sent out to get reviews even before the final edit and book cover design, and a generic cover is normal, I’m told. I tried to get a quote from a printer just walking distance from my office, both to skip waiting for mailing, and to support a local business. But after asking for the page count, they never responded back to me. Well, then, harrumph. So I ordered copies from Amazon. They did not have a plain white cover choice. I got something mostly plain, and hoped that the festival readers don’t think it’s my idea of a YA urban fantasy cover.

I want to think of it as my baby, but it’s a bit ugly. And truthfully, it’s not done. The editor has the manuscript and the designer has the real cover underway. Let’s call it an ultrasound of my soon-to-be-born book.

The best thing about applying to the book festival is that it has pushed me to do things I would not have done this thoroughly otherwise. I had some ideas about publicity or advertising, but I did not write out a Marketing Plan until it was required of me. Even if I don’t make it in, I’m learning how to do all of this and will be better prepared for my next book (not a sequel), which I plan to release sometime next year.