Saturday June 1

[Margarita]

Good morning from a newly retired person. Sunny, 50 degrees going for a high of 79. The cover of my novel which goes on presale in March 2025.

[OL Mike]

Just got back last night from my 5th anniversary trip.

Here today it's a warm 105 today.

Leaving for San Antonio Monday for a 4 day army reunion

Looks like I will be ordering a book next march !

[TXHawg]

Welcome to the retired club

Why does it take until March for your book to go pre-sale?

[Margarita]

Okay. Just remember that you asked for this.

Kensington Publishing Corp. is a traditional publisher (as opposed to self-publishing or hybrid publishing) that produces around 500 new books a year under many different imprints. Each book goes through multiple readings, content and copy edits, proofs, cover and internal layout design, advance reading copies, and final copies. While this is going on, KPC's advertising department develops and implements promotional plans. That's the Cliff's Notes version.

Friday I got an email from the editor asking if I can proof the copy-edited version of the book in three or four days because the promotion department wants advance reading copies ready for a trade book fair in early August "to create industry buzz." I said, "Sure," even though this is a 112,000 word novel that I'd normally have had weeks to proof. Proofing means comparing every word in the copy-edited version with my original version to make sure the pages are in order and chunks of narrative haven't disappeared, been duplicated, or reordered. Once I'm done, it goes back to the editor and through more mysterious (to me) channels before advance reading copies are printed. Advance reading copies also go out to various individuals, book sellers, and periodicals in search of "Wow, y'all gotta read this one!" endorsements for the final version of the book. Advance reading and response takes a while as does creating the final version of the book.

My contract requires me to establish a website a minimum of four months before presale. Tomorrow I meet with my friendly neighborhood web designer to learn the ins and outs of website ownership. I have been compiling an email list for weeks, and will need to produce content weekly (written, photographic, and video) as well as work on an associated quarterly newsletter. I'm also required to establish and maintain (ugh) a social media presence but my darling daughter has declared herself my social media manager and will take care of that for me.

Aaaaand while all this is going on, I'm writing a second book that is due in the editor's hands in April 2025. That's the same month I can expect to start standing around bookstores and talking to bookclubs to convince people to buy the first book.

Sound like fun?

This time last year I had just found an agent, so believe it or not, Blue Bottle Tree is moving forward faster than I expected. The original release date has already been moved forward by a month. The bumped-up date for the advanced reading copies may bump up the publication date as well.

You did ask...

[ScabbyDoo]

I have trouble getting through a big thick book........let alone writing one. As the Aussies say, 'Good on ya'.

[TXHawg]

They said "but you're retired, you have all the time in the world" , "It will be so relaxing"

That reminds me, I have to work on the smilies