First, I have to give a disclaimer: This could change. It could change *A LOT* if things go wrong.
That said, since my last update I’ve cut the original manuscript in half, as I explained here and sent it off to a professional editor (another term of my agreement with Morgan James).
We’re well on the way to having a fully-edited manuscript now, and, provided that step doesn’t take more than another month or two, Brightstar should be on bookstore shelves (as well as being available in all the other normal online venues) sometime next April!
A specific release date is to follow, but Morgan James isn’t just any publisher. I’ll have copies I can personally sell as soon as October or November!
The Details
The production process for the book goes something like this:
First, we design the front cover (while we finish the editing process). This takes around a month.
Next, the layout team tackles the inside of the book (once a complete manuscript is ready). That takes roughly another month.
Then, we take on the back cover and spine (the cover wrap)–another two weeks.
Finally, Morgan James does a printer’s proof of Brightstar (they get a physical copy to check out.)
A few weeks after that, we’ll have the first print run in hand and I can order author copies from the publisher.
The Plan
I’m told that the best way to sell a book is word of mouth (and frankly I’m a lousy salesman). That means I’ll be trying to quickly get as many copies as I can to anybody who’s interested in reading it.
I’ll tell you up front, I can’t afford to give away copies of the book (I have to pay for them myself, after all) but I’ll be offering them for a reduced price to anyone who wants to get an early copy for a period of time before presale opens. (I’ll get you more details on how to get one as soon as I can.)
I have my publisher’s full support in this, and they’re as anxious as I am to get the book in peoples’ hands and get the word out!
More to follow when I have more to share!
