This week, our winners are: Donna Morrow and Eugenia Riddick. Each of you will receive an autographed book. As usual, there is a new contest underway right now–to enter, you simply need to comment, and you’re in. Two winners will be selected at random, notified, and announced on the blog.
I’m putting some finishing touches on the book I call “North of Eden”–and expect to finish the first draft tomorrow. My publisher informs me that the title will change, but don’t worry. I’ll post it here as soon as it’s definite.
Recently, several of you asked why a book takes so long to come out, once it’s written. This book, for instance, is currently scheduled for May of 2018. What’s the deal? Well, there is a great deal to be done, in order to get book out there in the marketplace. After the writing, there are revisions–my editor and I will discuss loose ends, things that ought to be added or deleted, etc., and I will make the changes. Then my editor will read it again, to be sure we’ve got all our ducks in a row. Then, there will be many, many meetings within the publishing house, a sales plan will be hammered out, and the publicity people will do their thing, arranging tours and interviews and such, and the art department will design several potential covers. Meanwhile, a copy editor will proof read the manuscript, and I will make more changes, though sometimes we don’t catch everything, and wind up with a character drinking coffee on one page and tea on the next, etc. Embarrassing, but true. 
Once the copy edits have been addressed, the book will be set in type, and copies will be sent out to reviewers and other writers, so that there will be quotes to put on the cover. Finally, the book will be printed, packed and shipped and, hopefully, purchased.
Phew. I got tired just writing all that!
It’s late now, for me, anyway, so I’m off to read or listen to a book, snuggle up with two dogs and one kitty, and get some shut-eye. And I’ll be thinking up more stories to tell you about my occasionally eventful but mainly ordinary life. Be well, be happy, and be kind. We’re all in this together.
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I didn’t realize how much goes into a book getting put out! If a character is drinking coffee then tea they just tired of coffee! Lol! I’d love to see more books like “Pirates” too!:)
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I knew there would be revisions, changes and discussions but didn’t realize the extent of the work that goes into one book.
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I love all your books! I have so many I have to carry a printout with me when I go to used bookstores cause that’s where I find the older ones!
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I do that too!!
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Congratulations to Donna Morrow and Eugenia Riddick!!! Enjoy your books.
Linda, I would love to be one of the people who read the book before hand.
Have a great week ahead.
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I meant to tell you…I saw 2 stacks of books for sale the other day, and there were around 41 books, if I counted correctly, and 10 or 11 of them were your books. The person had more of your books than they did of any of the other authors.
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Hi Linda,
Getting a book out to the readers sounds like a fascinating process. Glad you’re almost done with the first draft and I can’t wait to read it. Good luck with it, although I’m positive it’ll do very well. Congrats to the winners.
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Like Beverly I carry a list of titles I have. Otherwise I end up with duplicates. Today I found Lael St. James books. I’m sure I’ve seen them listed in the front of books before but didn’t pay attention. It will be interesting to see how Lael writes! I hope they arrive soon so I take them on the road trip to FL. And there is the latest Mustang Creek coming out in 2 weeks. So many new books to read!!
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We are under a severe thunderstorm watch as well as tornado warning. I always say a quick prayer that nothing goes haywire here. A chair and quickly seeking shelter doesn’t always go together. Lol. Will be glad to see the book come out. As for title I might just be to use to North of Eden, by the time it comes out. Gotta go.
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I enjoy hearing about the process of publishing. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for sharing the proces from having finished the story to having the finished book
I once read a story where one of the main characters from the first book to the next not only changed eye colour (brown to green) but also gained length (5′ 8″ to 6′ 2″). Apparently the writer decided to make him more memorable.
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A lot of work Linda! I like the title North of Eden!
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So much work for your readers to enjoy! I also like the title North of Eden. I am patiently awaiting your next book, but always on the lookout for any book with your name in it.
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I reading about the making of a book. I found it fascinating. I knew there was a lot of work involved, but not as much as you told us. I always thought I could be a great proof-reader, but at 73 years of age, I’m not sure anymore. You are a great role model. I joined Weight Watchers on Jan. 1st. and have lost over 25 pounds so far. My cholesterol was going up and my BP also, so decided to see it as a wake-up call. I go to the gym 4 times a week and have a personal training session every Tuesday. It keeps me going. I love your books and read them all. Thanks for your gift!!
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It’s always interesting to find out information about what goes on behind the scenes. Thanks, Linda. Lots of work by lots of people even after the author gets done!
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Enjoyed that post. I can see how things can be missed from page to page. I read one recently where the guy took his boots off as soon as he walked in the door. A few pages later he took them off again as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Sometimes a reader catches them, but just smiles and keeps reading. Kind of like the old western movie I saw once and an airplane passed overhead as they were fighting in the desert.
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Congrats Donna and Eugenia on your win!! Linda, I’m sure North Of Eden or what ever it will be called when published will be a great book to read.
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Wow! That is more work on the back end than I thought.
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Can’t wait for your next one!
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So glad that you did all the research for this book. I look forward to next year when it comes out.
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Thank you for all the hard work you do so that we can enjoy your books. The pre-release sounds daunting.
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Thanks for clearing up why it takes so long for book to hit the stores. Now I don’t have wonder anymore.
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Thank you for taking time to let us hear from you! Always love your Novels! God Bless! Evelyn
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Good Morning, Linda,
Love reading your blog. Thanks for how a book comes about. Very interesting and helps us be more patient. Being a writer is a real talent and love your books.
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Wow that is a lot of work that goes into one book. I never knew. Good to know. congrats to the winners and everyone have a good week.
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Congrats to the winners… Your books are always worth waiting for.. :
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Linda,
I admire your tenacity to continue to write your wonderful stories! It takes discipline. You have truly found your passion and discovered how to make it a career and live your life!!!! Bravo!
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Congrats to the winners. I always enjoy your books so they are worth waiting on. I new there was a lot that went into book before they are published.
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I enjoy all your books. Keep up the good work.
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Linda,
I have admired and read most of your books (working on reading them all). Your stories are fantastic and every time I pick up one of your books, I know I will not be disappointed. I also just read a book buy a new author AJ Mayer Final Boarding, check it out if you get a chance. Great book!
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Linda, there is a lot that goes into one of your wonderful stories but I for one am so thankful that you do that for us. I love your books so very much so you take as much time as you need to, to make them as wonderful as they are. Thank you for being you!!
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Linda, I have enjoyed all your books that I have read so far. North of Eden sounds great too. Can’t wait for its release!
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I would love an autographed book. I started reading your books last year and just love them all.
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I can’t wait to read this book! I appreciate the hard work and pieces of your soul you place in each tale you bring to life in our minds, hearts and souls… Never stop!
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Londa
As usual your post was very informational. I have recently gone through the process you shared. Goodness gracious I had no idea so much was involved in publishing a book was so much eork and mibe are only CHILDRENS books -LOL. Its been a realbeye opener but I’ve lovex every minute of it.
So looking forward to your next book. Dixie
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My goodness- so many typos in my last message. Hope it was “readable”
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I personally like the title as is…North of Eden…but who am I to decide? Anxiously awaiting publication of whatever!!
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Have a great week, Linda, and be sure to schedule some downtime for yourself.
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Great explanation of the publishing process! Looking forward to reading your Carson book out at the end of the month.
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Wow! I had no idea, Linda, that books go through so much before publishing. Being the staunch Southerner I am, I hope they will let you keep the title “North of Eden.” It’s perfect. Take care of Linda during all this.
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My name is Doris Brooks. This computer does this to me all the time. It just can’t spell.
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Are you my cousin Doris Brooks?
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Thanks Linda for the information on how your books are “born.” I have done some copy editing for folks and I get a kick out of any little imperfections that pop up in published books. Those just make the book more organic to use a popular term. We know that the book was written by a person and no one is perfect. Thanks too for the way you end your blog posts…we all are in this together and it is so important to be kind. Happy Trails!
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Oh! Lovely sentiment, Linda,
“Be happy. Be kind. We are all in this together.”
Excellent advice. Thank you. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself. I always enjoy hearing about the exploits of your fur babies. I can’t wait for Always A Hero! I ordered it as soon as I could.
My friend Linda Shelby wrote a book about the Civil War. A Splinter in Time. I am so sure you’d like it, I am sending you a copy. (Snail mail!)
Blessings.
Lorelei
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It’s amazing the amount of work & people who are involved for each book. Thanks for all the info. I love every single book you’ve written and have such respect to see how much an Author puts into the books they write.
Carol L
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Anxiously awaiting a new book. But patience is a virtue! Long process, but worth it in the end.
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You are so interesting to follow in your ‘ordinary’ life. I like to check out the books you are reading. Your life is much more
interesting than my ordinary life. You bring a lot of joy to your readers. Roz
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You got tired describing the process; but it is all true; and it is a whole lot of work. I am retired from a copy editing job (textbooks, rather than fiction); part of the job is keeping track of all the pieces, and there are more pieces for text books!
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Thanks for choosing me as a winner. This has made my day! I’m trying to reset my library card password. It’s frustrating. My technical knowledge is so limited. I’ve had my simple password at least 20 years. I’m praying they won’t make me change it. Perhaps my daughter borrowed my card again. She’s been taking my granddaughter to the library lately. I’m about to send a text message to her. Is the simple things of life ever truly easy?
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I never realized so much went into getting a novel on the market. Thanks for explaining.
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I know what goes into publishing a book. My niece is a fairly new author. It seems to take for ever! Her name is Maegan Beaumont. Pick up her books if you like murder and lots of Gore! Lol! I just love your books! Love happy endings!
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Thanks for explaining about today about the length of time it takes for a book to get published. I didn’t realize. Hope you’re feeling better this week. Blessings.
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Living where you live is never boring Lael. I live on a small farm and absolutely love it. But, it belongs to my daughter and SIL so I don’t know what I’ll do when they decide to sell and move to E WA.
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The process of getting a book from an idea to being published is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.