If a picture is worth a thousand words
What is the worth of that which people once called moving pictures?
I hope you’ll tell me
Here is a brief book trailer
I look forward to your comments
January 9, 2010
December 2, 2009
Writing’s the easy part
Just last week, I parted ways with my biggest writing client.
It was tough. It was hard.
It was painful, to give up a tidy annuity such as that.
But it had to happen.
I needed to make room. I needed space. I needed to move on.
The book’s coming out in less than two months—crikeys, less than two months? That’s, like, less than two months away!—and I’ve got to stay focused.
So, you see, it had to happen.
And, when I sit back, and think about it…. Well, maybe I’d rather not think about it.
Oddly enough, I can’t remember ever having a heavier workload, or a longer To-Do list. This book-thing really is a full-time gig, isn’t it? I mean, no sooner do I mark a task as done, than two new ones replace it.
But I’m not complaining.
I’m having fun (yes really), I’m meeting folk, I’m making plans and I’m keeping busy. Real busy.
And so, in case you’re wondering , here’s a sampling of what’s on my plate and what needs to get done over the next couple of week:
- The proofreading’s done. Wrapped that up this past Sunday, and I then wrapped it up again (literally this time) and put it on a courier to my editor. It’s her turn to proofread.
- I met with my favourite bookseller in the whole world (begin shameless plug) Shirley Leishman Books (end shameless plug), to talk about the launch that they’ll be hosting in February. Leishman’s also invited me to their book fair/trade show, where I’ll get a chance to pitch my book to a slew of regional, independent booksellers.
- I’ve been invited to readings in Halifax and Montreal, so there’s all that to firm up.
- By the way, a Toronto date is-oh-so-obviously-missing here, and I need to line something up for the GTA. If you’ve got ideas, I’d love to hear from you.
- Over the last two weeks, I’ve done more networking than a greedy federal lobbyist (unlike lobbyists, though, I’ve got no hidden, self-enriching agenda), and I’m looking forward to scheduling many more coffee meetings over the next few weeks and months.
- After sitting through a bunch of meetings, I now realize it’s time for new business cards.
- I redesigned my Twitter page (waddya think?) and I’ve been teaching myself WordPress, got the Dummies book and everything. Akismet, SEO pack, Hello Dolly—I know what that means now (still got a long way to go though).
- The publisher’s asked me to come up with a list of local media outlets, or media types that I personally know (not a long list, so far). They’ll then add them to their list of press-kit recipients.
- I’m trying to line up as many speaking engagements as possible. Book clubs, professional associations, networking groups—you name it, I’ll speak there.
- I’ve got some book-related articles to write, an interview to schedule and, of course, my blog to feed.
So? How are you?
November 25, 2009
Big news
OK, I may have broadcast it, telephoned it, emailed it, posted it, and repeated it. But I haven’t blogged it.
So in terms of big, and totally new, news—it’s not, I guess.
But it is news nonetheless.
February 1, 2010
That’s the news. February 1, 2010.
The novel’s official release date. February 1, 2010.
After so many years of writing, rewriting, rewriting again, and then—why not?—rewriting some more, it’s almost surreal to acknowledge that there’s actually an end to all this (or maybe a beginning?).
I don’t know.
I’ll figure it out.
What I do know, though, is that I’ve got work to do.
Proofreading work.
Talk to you later.
November 5, 2009
All about a cover
A busy couple of weeks.
.png and .pdf files are flying everywhere—from graphic artist to author to publisher to editor.
And back again.
Suggestions, comments, mild objections and words of encouragement are part of the deal too.
Try something else. Change this. Remove that. Darken (or lighten) that other bit.
All because of a cover.
It’s getting close too. The latest revision is making its way through people’s inboxes, anticipating final approval.
Or requests for more tweaking. We’ll see.
I pointed out, once before, the stark difference between writing and creating a book.
When someone writes, they write alone.
Not so when the writing is released from its almost jealously-guarded privacy to begin its transformation.
Into a book.
It’s a team game then, and the writer’s voice is but one voice among many.
And yet, it’s fun.
I generally fly solo and I’m, therefore, not used to being part of a team.
But I’m enjoying the team-ish experience—first with the editing, and now with the cover design (man, I wonder what comes next?).
And hopefully, I’ll soon be able to show you the cover.
See what you think.
But, it’s not finished yet, and besides, I think I need to find out whether it’s OK to show it to you.
I guess that too comes with being part of a team.
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Yes I did change the font again. The size anyway (the font type is still the same). Opinions and suggestions are welcome.
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