book stuff

The proof is in the puddin’!

~ RHudson ~ Leave a comment

Very excited to have received my first proof copy of What I Want You To Know. The illustrations inside look great. I’m happy with the paper and everything in general. I wish the cover had a better spine to it; apparently my spine is too thin to have the title on it. So booo, but what did I expect?
Still hunting down the folks who said they’d review the book and give me a line to use on the back cover. Or media kit. One thing I’m learning, I need to be more aggressive I guess.

This evening I ran out of work at 5:00 on the nose. I had to stop at the grocery store for absolute essentials for Presley’s lunch, and something to eat for dinner. On the drive, the NPR discussion was about traditional publishing houses vs. the new surge of independent writers now publishing their own works. The gentleman representing the “major labels” of the publishing world has his work cut out for him. I see them going the way of the old-time record label execs. Maybe following cues from the music industry, they can start suing everyone for copyright violations and charging for authors autographs.

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The reviews are in…

~ RHudson ~ Leave a comment

Well, actually, they’re not. It’s the final puzzle piece in the book publishing journal!

I will be getting my *first* printer proof; a copy of the book how it will nearly appear when approved for publishing. The main reason for this proof is just to check that the art looks good, the cover “pops”, and a final edit/copy review with a fine tooth comb. It’s already been read over and over and over, so I’ve done everything I can to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors, or other dumb mistakes! Al anyone can tell you though who is a writer or works in publishing, sometimes when you’re really deep into a project, you just overlook an obvious mistake because you have seen it so many times.

This proof will still be missing the “reviews” and comments from the back cover. I have some terrific people reading it, and they’ve offered to make comments and review it. I hate to press people. People have been replying right away “I love it! Give me a few days to write something up.” I aimed high when asking people for reviews. I was rejected (politely) a few times, but many people I never dreamed would even respond have agreed to take a look at my book, and that amazes me.

I’m just being impatient. I know.

I’ve set the end of February as my new personal deadline to approve the final final final and print it. This is still way ahead of my original goal, and I couldn’t be happier.

Off and running…

~ RHudson ~ Leave a comment
The front cover is finalized!

Well my kickstarter project has drawn to a close…at least the begging for funds part. So far so awesome! Hit my goal, and depending on the final postage costs, I should be able to send out a minimum 250 copies of the book to various Down Syndrome parent support and advocacy groups. If you have any ideas for a group that you think would have a need for such a book, let me know and I’ll be sure to add them to the mailing list!

Here is what the final front cover will look like, and I’m finally happy with it! I just felt the colors were too flat in earlier versions, and this softens it up and makes it look happier and positive, instead of so mellow and gloomy.

I now have two weeks until I have access to the pledge funds. I’m spending my time scouring the web and adding organizations and people to my ever-growing mailing list. I’m tweaking the final 2 illustrations. AND I’m trying to find between 3 and 5 people to read a PDF copy of the book and offer me feedback, with the intent that if it’s flattering I’ll use it on the back cover. (As per my talented book designing friend, Andrew’s suggestion.) I’m nervous and excited to see what people will say! So far, my readership has been limited to family, and a few friends who happen to be writers or editors or English teachers (or all of the above). Of course their feedback and reviews have been glowing to say the least! I’m hoping to track down enough people who work in a field related to helping or working directly with parents of children, or children with Down Syndrome. I have two so far!

And in case that’s not enough on my plate, I started a new job two weeks ago, doing graphic design at the local newspaper. Yes…yes…with my husband the local evening television news anchor, and me and the daily paper, we are quite the media moguls. We’re like Connie Chung and Maury Povich. Or not.

They’re probably not nearly as busy!