We all set schedules and goals, if we didn’t we would all sit around and watch endless reruns of NCIS. My goal, as I mentioned a few weeks ago is to get Elk River to the printer by the end of the month or no later than August 12, it looks like I’m going to make it. The editing is done. Great job Dennis DeRose! My review is done, the final is now in InDesign (great program, a little touchy to learn but very powerful), and I’ve just pulled a full size paper copy to review. I am very excited.
While the above header says that this blog is about the Sharon O’Mara Chronicles and development of the next book in her series, my ADD forces me to carry at least three projects at any one time (as well as run a professional land planning office), so that’s why this Elk River update.
I have reworked the cover a number of times, I have posted the latest version below, I’m about 90% certain this will be the final. The book also contains ten illustrations that help to show what was in my head as I developed the story. I chose a strong black and white style, almost woodcut, so that when the book is issued as an ebook the graphics will be strong enough to command attention. It is a shame that the current ebook technology drops the font style of the paper book (this may change in the future – I resist going the pdf route, for now), but the paper versions will use Constantia - 11pt and Bonnie for headers and chapter headings. It looks great.
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| The Cover for Elk River |
What is exciting for me (but not for every writer), is the complete control over the final product; not just the story but the look, the format and the composition of the book itself. And this also includes the ebook version. I like to look at various type faces and how they read on the page, why the headers do what they do, and how the cover can draw you in to the story and even tease you. How many book covers fail in this regard?
The book is 113,000 words and includes 10 illustrations. It is my intention to release a number of copies (trade paperback) for reviews and competitions, the final ebooks, hardcovers (limited editions), final trade paper, and even an audiobook during the next six months. So there will be a soft release and a hard release. I realize that this may not be the industry standard, but please tell me, now that Barnes & Noble is quickly changing its whole business plan, what is standard? As said in an article in today’s Wall Street Journal:
The shift was never clearer than last January, when a small group of experienced book buyers at the company was called in and dismissed. Barnes & Noble's buyers were once book-selling royalty, minititans whose taste played a pivotal role in deciding which books danced up the charts.
For the bookseller there was little choice. It needed to invest in the future.
The reading world is changing, like it or not.
On the 4 Death front, Toulouse 4 Death is moving ahead, I am still aiming for my final draft completion by mid-September.
More later . . . .
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