This really is not a book update because, at this point in time, I am just waiting to hear from FriesenPress. I did however think that the following information may be enlightening to those of you who are contemplating your first book, and those who have said book well in progress. To anybody who has a book already published, it may well stir a few memories!
I started writing Ray’s book in March 2014, and had a reasonable complete draft (in my opinion!) ready by March 2015. I circulated it around family and friends and the feedback dictated a major re-write which took me to October at which time I signed a contract with Friesen Press.
The staff at FriesenPress had a totally different perspective and also made many suggestions (all of which were valid) which, again, dictated many significant changes and the text was finalized in January 2016.
There were a number of issues at that point in the areas of over-looked grammatical errors, and book cover text, layout etc. which eventually all came together in February. At last we were ready, and for an estimated March publishing date!
Sadly, that was not the case as I noticed a few more grammatical errors and FriesenPress drew my attention to a potential copyright issue with one chapter!
At the beginning of this month, everything was again ready for the final process of publishing, which is what I am waiting to hear about now!
From March 2014 to April 2016 ? It is so much easier writing a book, than it is to get it published! 🙂
A New Direction Perhaps? 
I hear ya there! So awesome that you’re almost there though 🙂
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It is exciting, but “almost” is such a very frustrating word! 🙂
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I completely understand that 😉 Fingers crossed that everything moves along smoothly and quickly for you.
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🙂
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I believe it’s similar to birthing an elephant. Congrats on sticking with it. 🙂
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Well Monika, I am really going to have to think about that analogy! 🙂
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LOL! Painstaking for sure, but we are all supporting and patiently waiting for Ray’s story:)
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We sure are!
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I agree, Colin. The writing is one thing and then the whole publishing process… You have already come a long way!
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Thanks Erika. You’ve been through that process quite a few times… and keep doing it, so it can’t be that bad! 🙂
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Definitely not! LOL! And it’s the only way to get a book published anyway 😃
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I think that’s one of the reasons why I never pursued publishing. I always thought the business side of it would take away the fun of writing and I didn’t want that to happen. No one in my family understands that and they continue to “encourage” me to do something but I remain reluctant. I do it for fun.
I’m sorry it’s been so frustrating but you must be excited about the end result, especially if it’s near..:)
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Having a publisher partner with you is very educational however, they have so many projects on the go at any given time that they cannot possibly respond as fast as I would like. I have to temper my frustrations with the realities of my circumstances. It will be really exciting though to actually (and eventually!) see a finished hard copy of my book. 🙂
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I agree…:)
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Writing is always the easy part. When I first started blogging, I could write something in 15 minutes but it took me an hour to find and post an accompanying picture. I’ve started a few books but always trashed them early on. I decided to try submitting my work for publishing in periodicals. Talk about rejection! You are to be commended for sticking it out. The final product will be wonderful (I’ve read so many books with tons of grammatical/spelling errors) and I am looking forward to it.
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Support is always appreciated. Thanks so much Kate. 🙂
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