Final edits are underway on Eliana-Who-Sees-Us. I will be so happy to be finished with the publishing process so I can put more time and energy into writing again!
People who dream of “writing a novel someday” have no idea of all that is involved, but I guess it’s that way with most of our lives and livelihoods. I have friends that I still can’t explain what their job is, just what field it’s in. And maybe it’s best if we don’t know everything that’s going to be expected of us before we commit to something or we might never do it. Parenthood, marriage, even friendship . . . see your favorite rom-com or buddy action movie for details!
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.
Not pretty, but it’s cool to see it in printed form.
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.
