It's so close!
I have just sent back my editorial changes to my publisher, and there was a lot of changes. This was due to a bug in their computer program which changed around apostrophes, commas and end quotes. It made for very tedious work making certain all were caught. Then there was the strange things it did to any Gàidhlig word with an accent. It "read" it as a "d", so once again I had to be sure all were corrected. Finally, any sentence that was supposed to be in italics wasn't. Yup, you got it, be sure all were changed.
Now onto the cover art. I do my own designs. Being a graphic artist by trade has given me that right, and I really like doing it. There's nothing worse than seeing a book—and yes, we all do it: judge the book by the cover—and pick it up to read only to find you were mislead by the cover. Knowing the story as well as I do, I try to convey the basis of the story to the cover.
For Sightless, since it's about a voyage (many, actually), I've used a schooner. As you may have guessed, there are Native Americans portrayed, so there is a quiver and arrows, along with the Penobscot people's double-curve design that is so often used in their artwork. Lastly, the bagpipe. Hey, it's still Scottish people I'm writing about. They just happen to be in America right now :)
But as with any graphics, colors, gradients, text and size are always a challenge when working with different platforms (Mac vs. IBM). So it was back and forth a couple times, but all in all, not too bad.
I should be getting a proof at the end of this month and I can't wait! My summer is already filling up with signings and Highland Games. This will continue well into the New Year.
As soon as the actual publication date is revealed to me, I'll post it here.
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2 comments:
I can't wait!
OMG do revisions suck or what? I'm sure in the end, it will be worth it, and I'll certainly be ready to read it!
Too bad you don't make it to the middle of the country...I guess one of these days, when we are both rich and famous authors, we will meet at some large conference to recievce our multiple awards. :)
Terri
Wouldn't it be a thrill to be rich and famous authors! As I set up my signing schedule, I dream of branching out of New England, but alas, resources (of the financial type) prevent me from taking the leap.
I'm always excited to spend the day at the Highland Games anywhere, and some of the branches of my clan sell my books in their booths. But they always sell more when I'm there. People love to met the author, and this year with two books under my belt, it should be even better. Even in this economy, where household cash flow is spent just getting from one place to the next, one can always convince a true reader that buying a book is a worthwhile investment. Hell, all you have to tell them is, "think of all the money you'll save because now you don't have to travel there!"
Going someplace in your head can be just as rewarding as physically being there (it is for me anyway). You can just skip the airport security, the lost luggage, the room you weren't quite expecting, and shelling out money left and right.
Just find a comfortable chair in a peaceful spot, pour yourself a cuppa tea (or something stronger, if you prefer!), savor the feel of the book cover, then open to the first page, delve in and lose yourself.
Mary
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