Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Rookie Blogs-to-Book Update: To comma, or not to comma

The book cover image for my newest memoir is complete! After I submitted five covers of best sellers that I admired -- so the designers could get my preferences -- I received five options from my publisher for my own design. The one, I -- and a few advisors -- selected, is to the left. I'm very happy with it.
But, a few days ago, one of my advisors (Jill Soloway) said there should be no comma in the title. Earlier, a trusted friend (Lisa Holton) had said the same. So, I broached it with my publisher, Brooke Warner,  and she agreed that since AND is on a separate line of the cover, the comma should go. So, here, to the lower right, is the final cover sans comma.

This change came just in time because I am now reviewing "First Pages." This is my proofread manuscript formatted as to how it will appear in the actual book. I'm pleased to say I also like the interior design very much. One page is headed by my name, Elaine Soloway, and the other, Green Nails, And Other Acts of Rebellion. So now, as I'm catching any errors (only one so far that was caused by me when I changed something in the proofread copy), I am listing all of the page headings where Green Nails, And Other Acts of Rebellion should read Green Nails and Other Acts of Rebellion. (By the way, the subtitle: Life After Loss, does not appear on interior pages. This is standard.)
Recently, I participated in a monthly Author Call with about a dozen other Fall 2014 writers. We talked about submitting our Advanced Reader Copies to reviewers and the difficulty of actually getting reviews by the main publications, like "Publishers Weekly." Hiring an outside publicist helps, but there's no guarantee they will have success. So, like  my other memoir publishing endeavor, I'll tackle that on my own. (Once my new book is published in September of this year, I'd appreciate any suggestions for book groups, synagogue or church readings, health care groups, senior groups, etc.)
As of today, we have 17 days left to goal. So far, we're at 71% with $3,909 contributed. I'm confident we'll reach our $5,500 target before the bell rings, but  if you have ideas on how to assure that,  don't hesitate to let me know. 
By the way, my Kickstarter funders receive these updates first. If you want to be in that special group, please click on Elaine Soloway's Kickstarter Campaign and join  us!