Archives for October 2012

Today I decided to write and submit a ‘Press Release’ for my book. I don’t think there are several newspapers that will be interested in my first book, but I have every intention of submitting it to every local newspaper, regardless. There are books by New York Times bestselling authors that don’t make the papers, but that’s not going to deter me. I’m going to give it a try anyway. I figure I’ve got very little to lose. For sure if I don’t submit the press release to any paper it wont’ appear in any papers.

I’ve never written a press release before. I’ve never had a need for one. But this could be the first in a long string of many (I’m thinking positive).  This is a big deal for me so I think it’s qualifies, don’t you?

After doing some research on the Internet, I found some sample formats and lots of dos and don’ts.  Very helpful stuff, otherwise I’d have no idea what I needed to include. 

I’ll probably say this a lot between now and November 17^th, but I need to stop adding items to my list of things to do for the book release. There are only so many hours in a day and I only have two arms.

I belong to several writing groups, so I’ve heard many published authors talk about the editing process. Not the one they manage themselves, where they’re making the finishing touches to a manuscript.   I’m talking about the one where the suggestions and the deadlines are set by the publisher.

As late September neared my anxiety creep higher each day as I waited for my edits.  Every day I checked my e-mail waiting on the dreaded edits that would shut down my social calendar and glue my butt to the chair for sure.  I checked my mail account every hour without fail. I even check it first thing in the morning before I washed my faced and just before I turned the lights out for bed. I even sent the editor a note, just to make sure I hadn’t missed the edit note from her.

When the note finally showed up in my mail, instead of going bonkers, I was happy. The book was become more of a reality. I settled in my office and review her suggestions page by page. I was so hyped by the process that I managed to finish my content edits in less time than she had given me. The line edits weren’t as clear-cut. The line editor wanted me to added more definition to certain parts of the story.

Next up will be the proofing edits and then the book will be ‘final’. Silly me, I thought all I had to do was write the book.  By the time November 17^th rolls around you might see me dancing in the middle of Times Square with joy. Please just don’t put it on u-Tube.

Have you ever look upon something with both dread and delight?