I'm glad the blog people show the uploaded image before it's posted. I had a horrible feeling I'd clicked on a photo of myself, instead of my book cover. I don't want my post to look that scary! I feel terribly guilty. Through the dark months when I was struggling with edits, and (far worse) panicking that my book was never going to be published (after I'd told everyone I know that I'd written a book) my blog buddies were always there with kind words of encouragement. There were times when I appreciated the support more than I can possibly say without sounding cheesy.
And now that it's definitely happening I've abandoned my blog in a flurry of final edits, blurbs, media articles, bookshop meetings, launch invitations - my world has gone completely mad. (I've made it all sound very glamorous. Believe me, it ain't.)
My publisher has decided to bring the publication date forward to June. June! I have so many things to do! One of which is to set up a virtual launch for all my supporters on the blog. Come on, guys, you helped me through my moaning - you have to join in the celebration!
I'll post my Grand Plan here next month (silly? who cares? I can be as eccentric as I like now, because I'm an author - moody? not a whit - it's my artistic temperament!) Everyone's invited! It doesn't matter if we're on opposite sides of the planet, I have a master plan for a virtual launch to include all of you, my faithful followers. Producing a book is a team effort - writer, publisher, editor, bookseller, reader - and blog buddies have been an important part of my team, keeping me going, encouraging and advising throughout the process. OK, I'm going on a bit, now. "Thank you" sums it up.
22 comments:
Oh how wonderful for you .... at last!!! I'll be thrilled to be a part of your book launch. I'm wishing you so much luck with it all.
Thanks, Aggie. The book's not published yet, but I've seen the publisher's proofs for the printer (I probably got the jargon wrong there, but it looked something like a book)and am finally beginning to believe it's going to happen! Another step closer. I have to have a final check through, but am leaving that until Monday. I'm too excited to study the MS seriously right now - and too busy trying to get into book shops for talks and signings etc. That is a full time job in itself, amazingly time consuming. I really want to tell you everything about the experience, but am too tired right now. I'll say more later.
I notice my 'profile views' seems to be stuck on 5,000. That's a nice round number to be stuck on. I can live with that.
See, you were worried about nothing, and here your book is almost ready to make it's appearance. I've saved a slot for the review, and looking forward to reading it.
All the best with your arrangements for the launch, and I'll be here. Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Thanks, Barbara. Now I can start stressing about how the book will be received!
I do have a real sense of support from friends on the blog and beginning to seriously doubt my earlier view that virtual communication is impersonal - in some ways, I can be more honest here than talking face to face with people I 'know' (apart from my close family.) A topic for another post?
So pleased that I'll be able to read your book that soon.
Congratulations! Nothing beats the excitement of the first book. My fifth comes out in May, and it's still up to me to try and get the interviews, the radio, the signings...
I'll look forward to reading yours.
Thank you, Debs. I hope you read it in your shed!
Fifth book, Lesley! I'm not sure I'd have the energy to continue this promotion lark that long...
June! cool. That's just around the corner. I'm looking forward to the excitement.
Thanks, Charles. I'm trying not to get excited because I still have to check through the proofs again, and I'm really busy arranging the launch and various events. More about that later. It's completely taking over my life and I'm loving it! Haven't even had time to check anyone else's blog which I'm looking forward to doing once the manic activity is over.
Excellent stuff!
It's nice to be anticipating a publication.
Haven't had that feeling for a while, so, thanks!
Great news Leigh.
Thanks, Sleepy. It's very kind of you to be excited. I have to admit it was very exciting seeing the proof copy.
hi Monique - I feel terrible, I haven't visited Middle Ditch for a while, I've been so busy. I miss it!
Hi, Leigh, what great news! Maybe all the pre-orders on Amazon.com got your publisher to move the date up! :)
My profile views have been stuck on 8,700 for a week or more. Do you think they've stopped supporting this feature?
Now I can start stressing about how the book will be received!
No kidding! I still have my author's proof on my bed, and from time to time I read myself to sleep with it (no, it's not that awful; in fact, it keeps me awake longer than I'd planned. And I still stumble across the odd typo, which jerks me right up and out of bed again).
Anyhow, I've been pestering my friends for feedback. I mean, the book is obviously a masterpiece, but does everyone else recognize that fact? Stressful, indeed. I imagine you'll find, as I have, that people tend to be kind. Yesterday a retired schoolteacher told me, "I found your book thoroughly delightful," which bucked me up for the rest of the day. I'm sure your fans will be loud and enthusiastic in their praise!
Hi, Leigh, what great news! Maybe all the pre-orders on Amazon.com got your publisher to move the date up! :)
My profile views have been stuck on 8,700 for a week or more. Do you think they've stopped supporting this feature?
Now I can start stressing about how the book will be received!
No kidding! I still have my author's proof on my bed, and from time to time I read myself to sleep with it (no, it's not that awful; in fact, it keeps me awake longer than I'd planned. And I still stumble across the odd typo, which jerks me right up and out of bed again).
Anyhow, I've been pestering my friends for feedback. I mean, the book is obviously a masterpiece, but does everyone else recognize that fact? Stressful, indeed. I imagine you'll find, as I have, that people tend to be kind. Yesterday a retired schoolteacher told me, "I found your book thoroughly delightful," which bucked me up for the rest of the day. I'm sure your fans will be loud and enthusiastic in their praise!
Yikes! Blogger told me I was signed in as "Ed", and did I want to sign in under a different name. Yes, I said, my own, please. (I'm at a public terminal in the Greenwich Library, and the cretin who was here before me forgot to sign out.)
So Blogger publishes my comment under both names. Yikes! again.
And there's me thinking some grand editor had noticed me at last! Seriously, much prefer to hear from you, Bill. My fellow author!!That's got a nice ring, hasn't it? I'm going every-so-slightly mad with proofs & promos - MUST blog again soon! SO much to tell you
Well done, now what I want to know is how on earth you managed to find time to write a novel and teach? Do you not sleep?
I can just about keep up with the ironing, though this is never what my teenage son wants to wear at the time.
I am quite jealous, everybody is told thay have a book in them, well mine would be extremly dull and never finished.
Congratulations Leigh on capturing every writers dream. I'm sure your book will be a success and I wish you the best of luck!
Cheers!
Thank you Christine. I couldn't access your blog so can't reply directly. I hope you read this...
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