Whew! It’s been a busy summer and I have a few more crazy weeks coming up, but a lot of good stuff has happened. I love that this is becoming more and more of a reality! I tend not to get my hopes up about things, so I think maybe the reality that I’m publishing a book hasn’t set in yet. It’ll be good to hold it in my hands this fall!

I’ve paid Westbow 3 of my 4 installments, and my last payment should be the first week of September! I’ve also submitted my manuscript and it’s being reviewed by Westbow as we speak. When they get it back to me soon (this week or next I think), I’ll review what notes and changes they made, I’ll add my parents’ forward and my acknowledgements to the book, and I’ll start working with the design team on the look of my book. I’ve been working on my cover design but haven’t finalized it—it’s a big deal and I don’t want to mess it up! The old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is around for a reason, so since I realize most of us do look at books based on their covers, I’m not saying “go” until I feel it’s perfect.

There are a few things I do know about my book. It’s going to be 8 ½” by 5 ½”. I had to choose the dimensions so I got out some of my favorite books and compared them. 8 ½ by 5 ½ seemed most common and I like it the best—smaller than that would mean it looks longer and thicker, which can make a book seem more daunting to read, and too big of a book is just overwhelming to me. I also had to decide whether I wanted cream or white pages. Though I was a literature major and am an avid reader, when I hear “cream,” I think old, yellowed pages. But I struggled to even find a book that I own with white pages; though cream conjures up old initially, I decided it’s better than stark white, something that reminds me of a textbook. I had to decide what size my hardcover copies would be and whether they’d have a dust jacket or a glossy finish (I chose a dust jacket. Even though their edges get wrinkled and I seem to always mess them up, they’re just more fun than a Nancy-Drew-style glossy hardcover). When my check-in-coordinator asked me what font, size, and spacing I want for the text, I just said, “ummmmm…normal?” I’ve never thought so much about the details in books before, so this process has definitely opened my eyes and made me more observant as I read.

I still have more to do like submit my cover, review the manuscript and cover plus other design details, and so on, but things are moving along, and I’m pretty excited. Once we review those things, I’ll find out the selling price of my book, review the book a few more times, and set up the printing! I’ll keep you posted as more steps occur.

I said a while back that I’d be sending out surveys to get rewards to you, and that time has come. Your books and promotional materials aren’t ready, but I need to get names into my Acknowledgements section. By the end of the week you should receive a survey. If you’ll fill it out with the pertinent details, making sure to include your name (and spouse’s name as that applies) so that I can list you accurately, I’d appreciate it! If you’d rather have a nickname (real or fictional, I guess) forever in print, make sure to pay attention to those fields.

Thank you again for your support! Y’all are an awesome team, and I’m so grateful for your help and encouragement!