It's done!

The proof arrived on Saturday and it looks very professional. The size of 51/2 by 81/2 is perfect--cream paper is much better than white, in my opinion. My picture is horrible--for the next one I'm having a professional photographer who can do some touch-up! I haven't read it cover to cover, so any mistakes will remain.

This morning I went to my Createspace account and set up the info. to go on Amazon--description of the book from my back cover (didn't feel like taking the time to re-write that), my bio, tags for the search engines but only five--I thought I would get more. I've heard something about tags that I need to pursue--apparently people can go to your book and put in tags? If anyone knows anything about this, please let me know! Also I need to indicate books that are similar--I have one or two authors in mind but don't know how to include that.

So--it will be up in a week or so. I have to call Createspace tomorrow to figure out how to get the Kindle version started. Apparently it will take two weeks for that. I plan to have a giveaway on my blog but haven't come to conclusions about logistics. I should get twenty copies free and then I can buy them for a certain amount not yet disclosed by Createspace. (or if it was I missed it)  So... if anyone feels like reading it and doing a review,  please let me know and I can send a copy...reviews seem to be a big thing. Or you can wait for the Kindle version which will be a very reasonable price!

Latest marketing plans include taking my books to local bookstores and leaving a copy for them to read, leaving postcards at same, looking up bookclubs to target, sending book out to a reviewer in Scotland so that I can market it there as well...I'll have a button on my website to link to Amazon...I'm trying to remain calm...

I've been editing the second book in the series but on re-visiting Dean Wesley Smith's advice, I've realized I've been in super-critical mode. Instead of ripping and shredding, Aphrodite advises me to align with my  internal beauty and bring that aspect out in the story. And despite her not being a Celtic goddess I plan to honor her wishes--after all, it's not very wise to go against the goddess of love! more on this later...

Waiting...

Still awaiting the final proof. I’ve been in a horrible mood for days, moldering around the house, moody and irritable. My dog looks at his leash longingly but today I’ve decided that the house needs major cleaning—this must take precedence over our usual daily trip to the Columbia River.

I’ve found that many chores have been forgotten during  my concentration on getting the book done. For instance there is dust on every available surface, including baseboards, tables, and window ledges. The bedroom smells like dirty dog—a trip to the groomers is definitely in order.  Poodles need regular haircuts and Buddha is looking shaggy and smells like pond scum.

Underneath a pile of papers in my office I find unpaid bills, to-do lists and an earring I’ve been missing for several weeks. Muddy footprints lead the way from office to kitchen to bedroom. In the kitchen I stop to make a cup of espresso, noticing the sticky stuff on the counter—hummingbird water? While cleaning it up I see streaks of something on the fronts of the cupboards and grab another sponge. In the bedroom clothes are stacked high on a chair in the corner…as I begin to sort through them I’m amazed I’ve lived like this for so long! Normally I’m fairly organized—cluttter drives me around the bend.

I hear the washer sing its little song to tell me the load is finished. When I get to the laundry room I’m astonished by the stacks of clean towels, dishtowels, and bathmats. No wonder there’s nothing in the linen closet. I load the smelly comforter the dog has been sleeping on into the dryer hoping that it’s really clean. With our new low water use washer I’m never quite sure.  Unable to face the time it will take to put things where they belong I head back upstairs empty-handed.

I know I could spend an entire day on the kitchen alone but I’m determined to make a visible dent on the house today and so I head to the living room carrying the vacuum. Although poodles don't shed, the cat does and there are dust bunnies under every piece of furniture.

Walking by my office a few minutes later I’m pulled to sit down and check e-mail. And of course while I’m here I have to do a little bit of editing on Book 2. And of course write a blog…