I've been listening to ALL IN by LIFEHOUSE. It kind of says everything I've been feeling about the release of Incendiary. Thank you for having my back a few weeks ago when I was having doubts. Your comments and support have really helped me get to this better place. NOW GET PUMPED because Incendiary might be published sooner than I expected. I don't have a date, but I just found out something completely awesome, so keep your fingers crossed! XOXOX (Thank you, Courtney Houston, for posting this song on my Facebook page!) CreateSpace did something awesome. I had a conversation with the team leader on my project yesterday. She let me know that they're doing things differently now. Now, instead of formatting the interior and then working on the cover, they're going to do both at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What does that mean? That means that when I get my first proof in seven days (YES, I SAID SEVEN DAYS, NOT TWO WEEKS) I should have the PDF (interior format) of Incendiary and the first cover mock-ups!!!!!
I totally girl-screamed into the phone, "YOU'RE KIDDING ME?" when she told me that. (It was really bad of me because I already have the voice of an eight-year-old and it gets even higher when I'm psyched.) Here's what that means big picture: it may cut 3-4 weeks off the process. Eeeeepppppp!!!! I feel like I need to be cautiously optimistic about that because this is publishing and anything can happen to delay things, but squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! *bouncing up and down * And then, WHAT IF the first round of cover mock-ups ROCK? If that happens, we could be done in a few weeks! (Trying not to jinx myself.) I will keep you posted with EVERY development! When I get a date, you will know first. (Actually, second because I will know first, but you get my point.) Love you guys!
31 Comments
Missing Brennus? I can understand that, since he's on my mind (and in it) constantly. I found a song that is Brennus: BABY CAME HOME by THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. I was asked (more like begged) to give a Brennus teaser, since I've posted a teaser with Reed. (Apparently, Brennus fans are feeling slighted.) I can give you one, but it may be less satisfying than the other teaser I did because it will be REALLY, REALLY short. (Only a few lines.) I really don't want to spoil anything for you, so it will be just a taste. I'll leave it up to you to decide if you want to read it. I'll put it at the end of this post. I have the LCCN # for Incendiary. I uploaded the manuscript to CreateSpace last week. They contacted me to set up a consultation for the interior formatting. I usually skip the consultation for the interior, preferring to trust that they'll just analyze the first three books and do it the same way. That didn't work out so well for me the last two times I asked them to do it just like Inescapable, so I'm going to go over every point with them. Why is that important? If I can get them to do it right the first time, than I save myself weeks of going back and forth with them. Although the corrections don't cost me money when we're working it out, it costs me time. Every time I make a correction, CreateSpace is allowed seven to ten days to make said correction. This is where I lose months. I hate losing months. So, if you know how you want them to format your book, definitely tell them. My consultation is on Monday (tomorrow) at 11:30 a.m. so don't call me then because I will be on the phone hashing this out. :D After that, it can take a couple of weeks to get the first proof.
Okay, that's really it as far as the update goes. Consultation tomorrow, proof in a couple of weeks. Now for the teaser...(I modified it just a little so that it's not a huge spoiler.) TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE “It never seems ta lessen,” Brennus says to me, while stepping with regal grace down the staircase to my position. “Dis stabbing thrill of desire dat bleeds trough me whenever I behold ye, mo chroí.” The icy path is expanding around him, covering every surface with frost. I feign composure as I reply, “Come in and get your overdose then.” I straighten my shoulders. “I’m surprised that you’re not tired of the hangover.” (Sorry...that's it. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Love you!!) Incendiary is officially in the early stages of publishing. Eeeepppp! To say that I'm scared would really understate how I feel right now. I know that I should be used to this by now. It's my fourth book, right? Doesn't matter. There is more pressure now not to let you down. I've poured over it so many times trying to make it perfect. The problem is that I'm imperfect (and therein lies the rub, huh?). Now that it's underway, I can't really make any major changes to it. It is what it is--what will be will be. I've been listening to KILL YOUR HEROES by AWOLNATION like it's a mantra. "Never let your fear decide your fate..." In the coming days, I'm going to crank this up and dance around like a ridiculous fool until it all feels okay again. :) Thank you for being completely awesome and sticking with me through this. I feel really fortunate to have you! Okay, this is where we are right now in the publishing process. I initiated a new title on my dashboard at CreateSpace for Incendiary. I contacted my rep at CreateSpace and paid for the Total Design Freedom-Standard package, which is the Interior Formatting of the print book and a Unique Book Cover. I always opt for the free ISBN (International Standard Book Number). This is a number that acts sort of like a social security number for your book. Some writers purchase their own ISBNs because getting one free here immediately alerts everyone in the industry to the fact that this is Indie published. My thoughts have always been: it is what it is. My writing will speak for me, not my ISBN. You can purchase your own and then create your own "publishing company" to try to hide the fact that you're not traditionally published. I like to live out in the open (but that's me, I'm not knocking you if you have a different strategy).
So then I made all the mundane decisions that you have to think about when creating a book. I went with the 6" x 9" size book, black ink on cream paper (I like cream paper way better than white). I had to decide the BISAC code (Book Industry Standards And Communication--it's a category or generic code to help sellers and buyers browse easier and locate products in a search). The BISAC code for Incendiary is Fiction/ Romance/ Paranormal. I also purchased a LCCN ( Library of Congress Control Number) for Incendiary. This number is used by libraries to catalog and order books. Many authors choose not to worry about getting one of these. I think it makes my books legit, so I bought it. I have to wait a few days for it to be assigned. It's worth it to me. I don't think you can get one after you publish. I think you'd have to republish the book if you don't have it assigned up front. (At least, that's my understanding.) So I can't officially upload my manuscript until the LCCN is assigned. That will probably happen on Monday or Tuesday. Once it does, I'll send the manuscript along with the answer to the "Content Questionnaire." (Note: get this questionnaire up front and fill it out, then cut and paste your answers to it when you go to upload your manuscript. The form is time sensitive; it only gives you 30 minutes to fill it out, which I had to learn the hard way with my first novel.) For anyone interested, here are the questions: What is your book's tone, and how do you want readers to perceive your text? (For example, a light-hearted and easy-to-use guide to home finances, or a romantic fiction comparable to Nicholas Sparks, etc.) * Provide a brief summary of your book. (Fiction: list the main characters, plot, storyline and any quotes from the book that are particularly telling. Non-fiction: state your main objective, how you differ from others of your genre.) Describe your book's theme(s). What is your book's genre? * Describe your target audience by factors such as age group, interests, education, gender, etc. What inspired you to write the book? What distinguishes your book from others? * Describe any specific design ideas for the interior of your book. For example, "I would like my interior to look modern" or "I would like my interior to look like my manuscript." Do you plan to submit an index? If you would like to include one, we will request that you upload the paginated and completed index later on in the process. Describe any specific design ideas for the cover of your book. Are there particular color(s) or types of imagery that you would like to see on your cover? <----Riveting stuff, huh? Being an author/ publisher is so glamorous *wink* Okay, so once I upload the manuscript, they'll format the interior and then send me a PDF proof to approve. Once I go through that a couple of rounds and approve the PDF, they'll begin working on the cover. They'll give me 2 options for the cover, one based on my specifications, and then one based on their design aesthetic. (This is actually a good thing. I went with the designer's version for Intuition. True story.) After the cover is done, they'll send me the physical proof in the form of a paperback copy. Once I approve that, CreateSpace will have Amazon create a page for it on Amazon.com. Next, the Kindle conversion will be started (formatting the PDF to an ebook in a mobi file format). That takes 2-3 weeks to come out after the print book is up. So I'm hoping this somehow makes it by the end of November of 2012, but it could be December. Ugh, I know: SO SLOW. I will keep updating you every single step of the way. You'll know where we are at all times! Thank you for being so awesome!! I really can't wait for you to read it, even if I'm scared. :D |
AMY A. BARTOLI'm not a Pepper or the car I drive. Evie's Playlist on SpotifyReed's playlist on SpotifyRussell's Playlist on SpotifyBrennus' Playlist on SpotifyThe Fellas' Playlist on SpotifyZephyr's Playlist on SpotifyArchives
December 2012
Categories
All
|