Well, what a productive day, and night, yesterday. . .until 12.30 a.m. So much done, as we race (or crawl) toward the finish line. Exciting to see my book covers and consider some changes, as well as sifting through the pages of text (150+) to see what other changes need to be made. Apparently, I will get one opportunity to make changes to the cover and one time to make up to fifty changes on the interior (text) of the book.

So, a lot to do today. Dana is off, so after the children’s doctor’s appointments, I should be able to work. I’m watching one child this morning who does not have to go. Then I should have the rest of the day to complete as much as possible: checks and double-checks.

Very good production on project #2, “Labor of Love,” this morning. Randomly checked my other email account and saw my proofs had been returned for “Till Death Do Us Part”…both the cover proofs and the text (body). That’ll keep me out of mischief for awhile.

Great meeting today as we discussed many features of “Labor of Love.” It’s been wonderful to write, and very moving.  We’ve got such a good start on it, 70+ pages, based on the details remembered. Can’t wait for her more specific input. Sounds like they’re making good progress on ‘Till Death Do Us Part.’ May get to see the cover proofs tonight or tomorrow. I may need to get a few more words for my index. Have approximately 45 now, we’ll see. Soon I hope to get together with a pastor friend of mine who has some good publicity ideas.

Almost there. Exited “Till Death Do Us Part” made it to the ‘Design Stage’. . .(again) so thankful there were no copyright issues. They assume it will be 150-200 pages. While that project is out of my hands at the moment, I’ve really gotten involved in the next one: ‘Labor of Love.’ Already 70 pages typed. . .and that’s without all the revisions or additional input from the family. May have a meeting this week with Brandi (Q & A) and to apprise her of what I’ve gotten done. Need to evaluate my list of index words for the first deal and see if any I may have missed would be relevant. Lot to do today, and hope to meet with a pastor from church who has some good ideas.

Ready to close up shop. Evaluating several things for publishing, will be needed soon.  For instance, fonts, promo ideas, cover thoughts, target audience, book stubs, etc. Read about a lot of other information. Getting near the finish line!

Had just sat down at my desk a few hours prior when I got another surprise. A Westbow marketing consultant gave me a call to introduce herself. We scheduled an official telephone conference next week. She told me that Westbow’s affiliation with Thomas Nelson, and/or getting picked up by a big-name publisher, was one of the perks for going with them. We’ll discuss several marketing strategies and things they have to offer. She gave me several things to think about in preparation. God is in control. (This would be above and beyond the press release, social media page, and online book trailer that I’m getting.)

Getting exciting. Westbow’s Design team consultant called this afternoon. Went over what to expect from here on out, typically 6 weeks or so, should be exciting. Working on the initial proofs, which should be available to me in a week. He told me that with the government shut down, it may be problematic to get the Library of Congress number. However, there might be other ways to get around it. I’m proofing the hard copy of text in front of me ONE LAST TIME to verify all my changes have been made. Eight chapters in and only have found one thing, where I’d forgotten to put a parenthesis.

Great homeschool day with my sons. They know about my next book and the main character. They realize the urgency of getting it out, “Labor of Love: Gavin Lawrey and His Struggle With Mitochondrial Disease.” Encouraged me to go work on it this afternoon after we finished with school. They speak of Gavin frequently. Think it’s going to be a good one, been emotional for me. Writing it with his mother, Brandi. Can’t wait.

What a long, long day. Awakened just before Dana left the house this morning. Got so much done on the second manuscript I’m working on for a friend. My check-in lady at Westbbow Press called: there were no copyright issues so she sent it on to the Design Team. She thinks it’ll be about 200 pages when sized correctly….now it’s 125 on 8.5×11.” Seemed very impressed. We cut down my index, a lot of the terms I had were normal, she said, or alluded to. Finished AMAP work on this next book. All that with a pounding headache. Fortunately, it’s beginning to subside.

You wouldn’t know how excited I am for this week. Believe I’ll be getting my manuscript back this week from the Westbow copyeditors. . .hoping nothing wrong was found which would delay me. (Otherwise, my guess for publication would be April/May.) In the meantime, we’ll keep plugging away on my next project. It’s going to be such a good thing, too. Trying to do some in-depth research currently to to get our i’s crossed and our t’s dotted, a lot of legwork. lol