Time flies when you're writing a book

I lost 16 days somewhere! Last time I did an update, Words To Live By had just been copy edited, and Peggy (otherwise known as "my wonderful designer") had made the corrections. The next step was to go over those corrections and reread the whole book again. More mistakes; more corrections.

In the meantime, I ...

• bought the bar codes to go with the ISBNs
• rewrote the back cover blurb describing the book
• checked the new corrections

The very last things Peggy will do are ...

• insert the Library of Congress number on the copyright page
• change the blurb on the back cover
• send me the absolutely final cover and inside pages

Then I will upload the book to CreateSpace, who will send me a proof, which I will reread once again. If I find mistakes, I won't accept the proof, and we will correct the errors.

While I'm waiting for all of that to happen, I will get prices on printing "readers' copies" and make a list of people to send them to. The purpose of readers' copies is to put the book in the hands of media, bookstores, and reviewers; request reviews and testimonials; and try to arrange for appearances and presentations.

At this point the publishing and promotion steps overlap until the printed book is in my hands, on Amazon, and in the bookstores. Then, the real work begins!

In the Home Stretch

The beat goes on, and on, and on. I had no idea it would go on this long. I found a great copy editor, and after the book had already been edited three or four times, she found about 150-200 mistakes. The moral of the story (you guessed it): You must have your book copy edited!

Next step, my wonderful designer makes corrections; the copy editor and I review them to be sure they are all made; the book goes to the printer—in this case, CreateSpace. Then, I await a proof, which I will read, cover to cover.

In the meantime, I am updating my book, How to Write a Nonfiction Book: From Concept to Completion in 6 Months, and giving it a spiffy (did I really write that?) new look. I promise I will not bore you with step-by-step description of how that project progresses. I just figured, since I was keeping you in the loop, I'd mention it.